hijackthis Log--X has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry(RESOLVED

  1. 23-07-2006  #1
    solidaft
    solidaft is offline Newbie

    hijackthis Log--X has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry(RESOLVED

    I'm a browser of the boards. Have seen in the past people with this problem:

    "X has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience."

    Unfortunately, it's happened to me. Followed all instructions before posting this log. Appreciate any and all help. Thanks in advance.

    Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
    Scan saved at 6:23:05 PM, on 7/23/2006
    Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

    Running processes:
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
    C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ISSVC.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
    c:\program files\common files\logitech\lvmvfm\LVPrcSrv.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
    C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
    C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
    C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMax4PNP.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
    C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe
    C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\jusched.exe
    C:\Program Files\hpq\HP Wireless Assistant\HP Wireless Assistant.exe
    C:\Program Files\Hp\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
    C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
    C:\Program Files\HPQ\Quick Launch Buttons\EabServr.exe
    C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
    C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE
    C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\CameraAssistant.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\ElkCtrl.exe
    C:\Program Files\DIGStream\digstream.exe
    C:\Program Files\ESPNRunTime\DIGServices.exe
    C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apntex.exe
    C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    C:\Program Files\DesktopEarth\DesktopEarth.exe
    C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
    C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\WidgetEngine\YahooWidgetEngine.exe
    C:\Program Files\HPQ\SHARED\HPQWMI.exe
    C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\WidgetEngine\YahooWidgetEngine.exe
    C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\WidgetEngine\YahooWidgetEngine.exe
    C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\WidgetEngine\YahooWidgetEngine.exe
    C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\WidgetEngine\YahooWidgetEngine.exe
    C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\dwwin.exe
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
    C:\Documents and Settings\Jamin Lundy\Desktop\hijackthis.exe

    R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...lion&pf=laptop
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...lion&pf=laptop
    O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\yt.dll
    O2 - BHO: SpywareBlock Class - {0A87E45F-537A-40B4-B812-E2544C21A09F} - C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher 2006\SCActiveBlock.dll
    O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
    O2 - BHO: Yahoo! IE Services Button - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
    O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
    O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\yt.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: &ESPN - {AE6F2894-AF10-4C9C-B16E-1DFC6FF8C0C6} - C:\Program Files\ESPN\Toolbar\DIGToolBar.dll
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMax4PNP.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAX] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smax4.exe /tray
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] AGRSMMSG.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\jusched.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpWirelessAssistant] C:\Program Files\hpq\HP Wireless Assistant\HP Wireless Assistant.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\Hp\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LSBWatcher] c:\hp\drivers\hplsbwatcher\lsburnwatcher.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [URLLSTCK.exe] C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\UrlLstCk.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eabconfg.cpl] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Quick Launch Buttons\EabServr.exe /Start
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cpqset] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Default Settings\cpqset.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Personal Firewall] C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Personal Firewall\lpfw.exe /waitservice
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpyCatcher Reminder] "C:\Program Files\SpyCatcher 2006\SpyCatcher.exe" reminder
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Google Desktop Search] "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe" /startup
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMSX] C:\WINDOWS\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCameraAssistant] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\CameraAssistant.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechVideo[inspector]] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\InstallHelper.exe /inspect
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechCameraService(E)] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ElkCtrl.exe /automation
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DIGStream] C:\Program Files\DIGStream\digstream.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DIGServices] C:\Program Files\ESPNRunTime\DIGServices.exe /brand=ESPN /priority=0 /poll=24
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpywareTerminator] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Terminator\SpywareTerminatorShield.exe"
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
    O4 - Startup: DesktopEarth AutoStart.lnk = ?
    O4 - Startup: Yahoo! Widget Engine.lnk = C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\WidgetEngine\YahooWidgetEngine.exe
    O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
    O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmwordtrans.html
    O8 - Extra context menu item: &Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
    O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
    O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
    O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
    O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
    O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
    O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
    O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Maps - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycmap.htm
    O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &SMS - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsms.htm
    O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
    O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Services - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
    O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
    O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
    O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=Q405&bd=pavili on&pf=laptop
    O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
    O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1137045335593
    O16 - DPF: {8714912E-380D-11D5-B8AA-00D0B78F3D48} (Yahoo! Webcam Upload Wrapper) - http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yuplapp.cab
    O20 - AppInit_DLLs: interceptor.dll,c:\progra~1\lavasoft\person~1\wl_h ook.dll C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~3\GOEC62~1.DLL
    O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
    O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
    O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
    O23 - Service: Symantec Network Proxy (ccProxy) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
    O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation (ccPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
    O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
    O23 - Service: HP WMI Interface (hpqwmi) - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\HPQ\SHARED\HPQWMI.exe
    O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
    O23 - Service: ISSvc (ISSVC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ISSVC.exe
    O23 - Service: Lavasoft Personal Firewall Service (LavasoftFirewall) - Agnitum Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Personal Firewall\lpfw.exe
    O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
    O23 - Service: Logitech Process Monitor (LVPrcSrv) - Logitech Inc. - c:\program files\common files\logitech\lvmvfm\LVPrcSrv.exe
    O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
    O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
    O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
    O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service (SBService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
    O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
    O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
    O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
    O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe

  3. 24-07-2006  #2
    solidaft
    solidaft is offline Newbie
    Little help, guys (&gals)???
  4. 24-07-2006  #3
    VopThis
    VopThis is offline Senior Member (Canada)
    Neither SPYCATCHER nor SPYWARETERMINATOR are considered to be rogue tools but neither are they on any top tools list.

    The two together or any one tool may be responsible for the behaviors being observed. Suggest you uninstall both in Control Panal (in Add/Remove Programs). Then add them back one at a time if you so choose. Better recommended commercial tools would include either Spy Sweeper or SpyWare Doctor. All such tools may have a problem running along side of the 'Windows Defender' real-time protection component.

    Can also suggest a list of other preventative steps and free tools once you are clean.



    If you made the suggested changes,
    POST A REVISED HIJACKTHIS LOG for review:
    Reboot and post a new HijackThis log with any feedback as appropriate - how things are now behaving: any new or remaining apparent issues.
    Last edited by VopThis; 24-07-2006 at 04:49 AM.
  5. 24-07-2006  #4
    solidaft
    solidaft is offline Newbie
    Quote Originally Posted by VopThis
    Neither SPYCATCHER nor SPYWARETERMINATOR are considered to be rogue tools but neither are they on any top tools list.

    The two together or any one tool may be responsible for the behaviors being observed. Suggest you uninstall both in Control Panal (in Add/Remove Programs). Then add them back one at a time if you so choose. Better recommended commercial tools would include either Spy Sweeper or SpyWare Doctor. All such tools may have a problem running along side of the 'Windows Defender' real-time protection component.

    Can also suggest a list of other preventative steps and free tools once you are clean.



    If you made the suggested changes,
    POST A REVISED HIJACKTHIS LOG for review:
    Reboot and post a new HijackThis log with any feedback as appropriate - how things are now behaving: any new or remaining apparent issues.

    I actually added SPYWARETERMINATOR after I was having problems, but will follow your instructions. I will be posting again in a little bit with an update.

    Thanks for the reply.
  6. 24-07-2006  #5
    solidaft
    solidaft is offline Newbie
    O.k., I removed SPYCATCHER, rebooted and that was the culprit. Realized I had only used the program "occasionally" anyway, and it was installed over 6 mos. ago.

    Thanks for the simple, yet effective solution.

    Any other suggestions for programs? I have a decent deal already:

    AdAware
    SpyBot
    CCleaner
    SpyWareTerminator
    SpywareBlaster
    Windows Defender
    Norton


    Anyone have any experience with LavaSoft's Personal Firewall software? Any suggestions on free personal firewalls or anything else?
  7. 25-07-2006  #6
    solidaft
    solidaft is offline Newbie
    Last time....I promise.
  8. 25-07-2006  #7
    VopThis
    VopThis is offline Senior Member (Canada)
    Save 20% on AVG Internet Security 2012 Suite!
    To help avoid serious infection again, please look carefully at this post for some excellent preventative measures. Prevention must be made the first line of defense to improve upon.



    ONLY ONCE you are as clean as possible from any needed cleanup steps - As a final cleanup step (after serious infection), it may be advisable to Reset and Re-enable your System Restore to remove any bad files that MAY have been backed up by Windows . The files in System Restore are protected to prevent any programs changing them. And, this is the only complete way to clean these files: (You will lose all previous restore points which could likely be infected, anyway.)

    PLEASE NOTE: you will need to log into your computer with an account that has full administrator access. You will know if the account has administrator access because you will be able to see the System Restore tab. If the tab is missing, you are logged in under a limited account. Accordingly and of further note; it can be very unsafe to run with admin rights on any PC that you browse the Internet with.


    (Windows XP)
    FOLDER LOCATION: c:\System Volume Information\_restore….
    To Turn OFF System Restore.
    1. Click the Start button.
    2. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
    3. On the System Restore tab, check Turn off System Restore or Turn off System Restore on all drives.
    4. Click Apply.

    REBOOT.

    To Turn ON System Restore.
    1. Follow the steps in the previous section, but in step 3, uncheck Turn off System Restore or Turn off System Restore on all drives. Then click OK.
    2. Create new System Restore points.


    (Windows ME)
    FOLDER LOCATION: c:\_RESTORE\TEMP\….
    See the following link for instructions:
    http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...rc=sec_doc_nam




    To reduce the re-infection potential for malware and protect your PC against spyware, here are a few helpful suggestions:
    1. Keep Windows and Internet Explorer current with the latest critical security updates from Microsoft . This will patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer . You CANNOT complete this update using an alternate browser – you must use Internet Explorer.
      http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5co...t.aspx?ln=en-us
      http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.asp
      • http://www.securityfocus.com/news/11273
        If you surf to questionable (blockable) parts of the Web, you could encounter sites that compromise your PC without any user interaction. In experiments [reported Aug 2005], Microsoft identified 752 specific addresses owned by 287 Web sites that contain programs able to install themselves on a completely unpatched Windows XP system. Also, be aware that the WinXP Service Pack 2 was an update that focused almost exclusively on security. Also reported was that a fully patched Windows XP SP2 system cannot be compromised by any such discovered rogue Web sites.

    2. Run your antivirus software regularly, and to keep its definitions up-to-date. If you are thinking about switching (using a real-time AV tool only one at a time), there are some good free Antivirus programs that are decent, including AVG and Avast!.
      AVG: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
      Avast: http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

    3. In addition to using Ad-aware, consider using another free malware scanning/removal program :
      Adaware SE: http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Person...ubj=dl&tag=top5
      Spybot S&D: http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Dest...tml?tag=lst-0-1
      Microsoft Windows Defender beta 2 : http://www.download.com/Microsoft-Wi...ml?tag=lst-0-1

    4. Consider using a free firewall if you are not already using one (use only one firewall at a time – normally you will need to disable the MS firewall). Some good free ones (for incoming and added outgoing traffic protection) are:
      Kerio Personal Firewall: http://www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
      *** After 30 days, Kerio shuts down selected features, but will continue to run in 'free' mode.
      Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/comparison.jsp?lid=ho_za

      It is not a bad idea to also consider using a Router/Hardware firewall device where you have a High-Speed Internet access connection. A software firewall may occasionally need to be disabled or it gets/remains disabled by someone or something. Such an added layer of security consistency has a lot of merit to it.

    5. Consider using an alternate free browser for general web surfing but you must use IE for windows updates. The use of Firefox (or similar alternate) mitigates the many types of malware that are now possible when using IE ActiveX based components.
      Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

    6. Consider increasing your browser security by using these programs:
      SpywareGuard will help protect your homepage from being hijacked: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
      SpywareBlaster will increase browser protection by blocking access to thousands of known malware sites by adding them to IE's restricted sites zone. It essentially blocks known- bad ActiveX program items from being installed or running on your computer. Download it here: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
    7. A HOSTS file can block Internet access to thousands of known-bad sites by not allowing you any easy browser access to such sites knowingly or unknowingly. Use HJT to determine if a current HOSTS file exists and any contents therein:
      • Run the HiJackThis tool and select ‘Open the Misc Tools section’.
      • Next select ‘Open host file manager’ button.
      • Use the ‘Open in Notepad’ button in XP/W2K or use WORDPAD if necessary [type wordpad.exe in the RUN box (Start>Run)] and load the FILE PATH identified in HJT.
      • Go to http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.txt . # Read the initial instructions #. Copy and paste (append or replace) the RELEVANT host address entry contents of that file into Notepad or Wordpad and save the updated file contents.

        EXCERPT:
        #start of lines added by WinHelp2002
        # [Misc A - Z]
        127.0.0.1 phpadsnew.abac.com
        127.0.0.1 a.abnad.net
        127.0.0.1 e.abnad.net
        127.0.0.1 www.accoona.com #[Adware-Accoona][Adware.Atoolb][Panda.Accoona]
        .
        .
        .
        #end of lines added by WinHelp2002




    *Remember just like your primary anti-virus software, it is important to:
    • Keep all of these programs up-to-date (using auto-updates where possible), and
    • Use them on a regular (minimum weekly) basis.




    REALITY CHECK:
    • Who else uses your PC? What are the potential risks created by multiple (potentially loose cannon) users and why?
    • What about bad luck, simple mistakes, and bad browsing choices (SEE: www.siteadvisor.com and their BLOG)?


    ABOVE ALL, it is most imperative that users exercise "safe surfing" habits such as banning or at least verifying email attachments (with scanning tools) before opening, and by not executing programs unless obtained from a trusted (or researched) source, etc.



    In general, always research any unfamiliar links or products that you might want to access or download. In particular, the SiteAdvisor site and other links listed in my signature have continued to make a significant difference to my clients’ PC health due to better-informed browsing habits and choices. Peer-to-Peer and FREE download sites add a level of risk that many should seriously take into account and adjust their behavior accordingly.

    Additionally, TEMPORARY files are both a significant source of clutter and potential hiding places for MALWARE content. Clean out those areas periodically - at least weekly.
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