[GUIDE] Think you are infected?

[333halfevil]

If you think you are infected with spyware and/or a virus or maybe some other malware, you may post a thread requesting help. Remember that not all problems are caused by malware, and running a scan with Advanced System Care v3 may fix your problems!

 

Before you start:

Back up all your data. Whether you are infected or not a routine backup could save you from a lot of trouble! Therefore a backup is not only recommended for posting, if you do not backup we will NOT help you remove malware from your computers.

 

Some ways to backup your computer (tutorial thanks to BleepingComputer.com):

 

• Cobian Backup - By BleepingComputer.com
  
• DriveImage XML
  
• Microsoft XP Backup
  
• Vista Full Backup - By BleepingComputer.com
  

 

 

Make sure your firewall is enabled!

If you do not have a 3rd party firewall you should at least enable Windows Firewall. You can do this by;

 

To enable Windows XP Firewall, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, click Run, type Firewall.cpl, and then click OK.
   
2. On the General tab, click On (recommended).
   
3. Click OK.
   

To turn on Windows Vista Firewall:

 

1. Open Windows Firewall by clicking the Start button http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/QueryWS/GetOpenContent.aspx?assetID=4f6cbd09-148c-4dd8-b1f2-48f232a2fd33&DocumentSet=en-US&RenderKey=XML, clicking Control Panel, clicking Security, and then clicking Windows Firewall.
    
   
2. Click Turn Windows Firewall on or offhttp://windowshelp.microsoft.com/QueryWS/GetOpenContent.aspx?assetID=18abb370-ac1e-4b6b-b663-e028a75bf05b&DocumentSet=en-US&RenderKey=XML. Administrator permission required If you are prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
    
   
3. Click On (recommended), and then click OK.
   

 

Now for the malware:

 

Download HijackThis!

 

Read BleepingComputer.com's tutorial on "How to use HijackThis!".

After reading the tutorial paste your log files in a thread titled with something that grabs our attention like; "Malware infected" or "Need help with infection!".

 

Follow these steps and it will save us, and you a lot of trouble :smile:

[IcyFrostPyro]

i believe this was posted somewhere. also, i recommend having an antivirus, antispyware, and a HIPS product(i use comodo defense+). In fact, if you can use HIPS effectively, you dont need an antivirus/antispyware at all.