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Last Updated:
January 14, 2008
 

Spyware/Malware Resources

If you're infected, check out the articles. I don't recommend one over another, but note the common themes. Be sure to look at the various forums listed below. I recently contacted one and someone walked me through a fix for my own computer. You can also monitor newsgroups. news.microsoft.com is available regardless of your ISP. Groups include:
microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser & microsoft.public.security.virus

Blocking Unwanted Cookies with IE 6
Computer Associates Spyware Information Center
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
How to: Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal (from Major Geeks)
Keeping Windows Clean   
Spyware (Wikipedia)
Spyware/AdWare/Malware FAQ and Removal Guide  

TeMerc Internet Countermeasures (Program Updates and Information)

Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Hijack This Log Analyzer  

Other helpful MVP sites includes:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm (Mike Burgess)
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm (Ramesh)
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/ (Jim Byrd)

Security Help Tools (Databases, Fix & Removal, Firewalls)
Troubleshooting Guide (Win XP + some references to 98)
Windows Support Center: (amuha.org)

The Parasite Fight: Quick Fix Protocol (Windows Support Center, James A. Eshelman)
THE PARASITE FIGHT: Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
Spyware Warrier

CoolWebSearch Information
DoxDesk
SilentRunners
SilentRunners CWS Removal    

Vundu Information

Vundu (Wikipedia) 
Vundufix (Wikipedia)

Removing Bonjour  
Completly Uninstall and Remove Bonjour  
iTunes 7.6+ installs the Bonjour service: How to remove  

Other Fixes

ComboFix  
LSP-Fix

Forums   
Atribune.org  
AUMHA Forums (HijackThis Logs)
BleepingComputer
MajorGeeks
Spyware Warrier
TechSupportForum

Browser Spy
provides you detailed information about you and your browser : JavaScript, Java, Plug-ins, Components, Bandwidth, Language,
Screen, Hardware, IP, Cookies, Web Server, and much more
http://www.atribune.org/forums/index.php  

Freeware
Ad-Aware   
       *Bug in Ad-Aware 2007 caused by an update to Internet Explorer 7  
AVG Anti-Virus 
AVG Rescue CD/Flash Drive  
Avast    
Avira    
Comodo AntiVirus  
Comodo Firewall Pro
CWShredder & HijackThis
   (HijackThis Tutorial #1)  (Turorial #2)
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware  
Microsoft Security Essentials  
For Genuine Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3); Windows Vista (Gold, Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 2); Windows 7
PCWorld (WinPatrol, Ad-Aware,HijackThis,ZoneAlarm etc.) 

Sandboxie
 (runs your programs in an isolated space which prevents them from making permanent changes to other programs and data in your computer)

Spybot
SpywareBlaster
SUPERAntiSpyware
System Internals (advanced utilities, technical information, and source code related
to Windows NT/2000/XP/2K3 and Windows 9x, Windows Me )
WinPatrol (BillP Studios) 
Windows Defender
Windows Support Center

Tutorials (Ad-Aware, HijackThis,Spybot, SpywareBlaster, Winpatrol, IE-SPYAD)

FIREWALL
Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. If you use the Windows Firewall you might think that's sufficient but it only controls one way of the traffic (inbound). Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. It's preferable to install one of the suggested firewalls.
Vista users, must check compatibility with Vista before installation.

FREE FIREWALLS

• Comodo (Uncheck during installation "Install COMODO Antivirus (Recommended)", "Install Comodo SafeSurf", "Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage")
  
• Outpost 
• PC Tools Firewall Plus  
• Sunbelt Kerio
  

• Go to Java Site
  
• Click to Download Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) 6 Update 11
  
• In Platform box choose Windows.
  
• Check the box to Accept License Agreement and click Continue.
  
• Click on Windows Offline Installation, click on the link under it which says "jre-6u11-windows-i586-p.exe" and save the downloaded file to your desktop.
  
• Go to Start => Control Panel => Add or Remove Programs
  
• Uninstall all old versions of Java (Java 3 Runtime Environment, JRE or JSE)
  
• Install the new version by running the newly-downloaded file with the java icon which will be at your desktop, and follow the on-screen instructions.
  
• Reboot your computer 

• Read through the requirements and privacy statement and click on Accept button.
  
• It will start downloading and installing the scanner and virus definitions. You will be prompted to install an application from Kaspersky. Click Run.
  
• When the downloads have finished, click on Settings.
  
• Make sure these boxes are checked (ticked). If they are not, please tick them and click on the Save button:
  
  • Spyware, Adware, Dialers, and other potentially dangerous programs
    
  • Archives
    
  • Mail databases
    
• Click on My Computer under Scan and then put the kettle on!
  
• Once the scan is complete, it will display the results. Click on View Scan Report.
  
• You will see a list of infected items there. Click on Save Report As....
  
• Save this report to a convenient place like your Desktop. Change the Files of type to Text file (.txt) before clicking on the Save button.
  
• Copy and paste the report into your next reply along with a fresh HJT log and a description of how your PC is behaving.
  

Commercial Software (Use at your own risk!!!)
Browser Sentinal
Ewido Security Suite (free version)
Spy Sweeper (Trial Download)