Re: parasite
![Jupiter Jones [MVP]'s profile photo](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/a/default-user=s40-c)
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm
--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/
"wild...@msn.com" <wild...@msn.com@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in message
news:942E9CE3-4FFD-41A7...@microsoft.com...
> i have a parasite on my computer how do i get rid of it
Toni
MVP:
IMPORTANT: Before trying to remove spyware, download a
copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware can kill your internet
connection when it is
removed, and this software should get things going for
you again:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
IMPORTANT: After obtaining the software below, make sure
you check for
updates and then run the programmes in safe mode.
You can go to the link below to check your system for
parasites (supplied by
Doxdesk.com):
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm
Malware removal (beginners guide):
First, go to Control Panel, add/remove programs. Check
for malware entries
and use the uninstall programs.
Second, get AdAware. [..Warning: AdAware is now version
6.181. All previous
versions are NO LONGER SUPPORTED and will not be
updated...]
AdAware is available at www.lavasoft.de. Make sure you
check for updates
every time you use it.
To be most effective, you must run AdAware while Windows
is in safe mode.
Modern malware uses more than one process, and these
processes are
'co-dependent'. In other words, when one processes
detects that the other
has been shut down, it automatically restarts its
sibling, often using a
different name.
Disable the ability of suspect processes to start
automatically by using
MSCONFIG (startup tab) before booting into safe mode.
Use the information
at the URL below as a guide:
http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm
Reboot your computer and hold down the F8 key until the
boot menu options
appear. Select 'safe mode'. After you are in safe mode,
check to make sure
the suspect processes did not start up. If they did start
up, we are going
to have to track down *where* they are coming from before
going any further.
An experienced computer technician can use programme such
as AutoStart
Viewer for in-depth diagnosis:
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=asviewer
While still in safe mode, and after you have shut down as
many malware
processes as possible, start AdAware. AdAware, when run
using default
settings, simply does not cope with new 'intelligent'
malware. Make sure
'activate in depth scan' is enabled. Select 'use custom
scanning options'
and then click on the 'customize' button. Turn on the
following scan
options - scan within archives, active processes,
registry (including deep
scan), IE favorites and hosts file. You must also turn on
the following
option via the 'tweak' button:
Cleaning engine: 'automatically try to unregister objects
prior to deletion'
IMPORTANT: Before letting AdAware delete malware, write
down on a piece of
paper exactly where the malware is stored. You will need
to delete those
directories after AdAware has done its work, but ONLY IF
IT IS NOT A
STANDARD WINDOWS DIRECTORY.
After running AdAware, run it again, this time using the
option 'select
drives/folders to scan'. Click on 'select'. Scan your
entire hard drive.
Also do the following:
Empty your IE cache and your other temporary file
folders, eg:
c:\windows\temp (if using Windows 98) or C:\Documents and
Settings\<name>\Local Settings\Temp (the path to your
temp folder will
change depending on your name) - sometimes programmes can
be hidden in
there - watch out for mysterious *.exe files or *.dll
files in those
folders.
Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Temporary Internet
Files {Settings
Button}, View Objects, Downloaded Programme Files. Check
for unusual objects
there.
Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Accessibility. Make
sure there is no
style sheet chosen (under User Style Sheet - format
documents using my style
sheet). If the option is turned on, turn it OFF.
It is possible to turn off third party extensions (Enable
third-party
browser extensions (requires restart) at IE tools,
internet options,
advanced) to disable *all* plug-ins but troubleshooting
will be difficult
and it is only a BANDAID. Nothing gets fixed. There is
software that
depends on 'third party browser extensions" to work,
including Acrobat,
Microsoft Money, and many other programmes.
Once your computer is clean, and if it applies to your
operating system,
create a new restore point. Your old ones may, of
course, be infected with
the malware and therefore cannot be used. Run disk
cleanup to remove old
restore points (if you operating system has this option
you will find it on
the 'more options' tab of the disk cleanup utility).
If you are still having problems:
You can go to the link below to check your system for
parasites and
hopefully identify your problem (supplied by Doxdesk.com):
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm
Download and run the latest version of "Cool Web Shredder"
http://www.merijn.org/files/CWShredder.exe
The more experienced user can try Spybot. Again, it is a
free programme
which can be downloaded from: http://spybot.eon.net.au/.
Warning: it is NOT
a good programme for the inexperienced. If you want to
use this programme,
please get the advice of those more experienced
before 'fixing' anything
that it finds.
Another excellent programme that allows you to examine
your system and
*create a results log for experts to examine* is
HijackThis, available from:
http://209.133.47.12/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe (direct
download)
MS have released a limited KB article regarding what they
call 'deceptive
software'.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-
US;827315
Here is advice specific to:
home page hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers.htm#home_page
pop-up ads
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/popup.htm
search engine hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers4.htm#search_engine
--
_______________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org
"Bearded Biker" <Bearded Bi...@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote in message
news:51D96F94-2953-4DAD...@microsoft.com...
> On checking my Registry details I came across an entry
named evzcaixl with
> a data reference ypglhrux.exe. The same .exe file is
also present in
> C:\WINNT\system32.
>
> Can anyone advise what this file is/does?
.
>-----Original Message-----
>i have a parasite on my computer how do i get rid of it
>.
>
ruff
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
>news:51D96F94-2953-4DAD-A98E-
B93D9E...@microsoft.com...
>> On checking my Registry details I came across an entry
>named evzcaixl with
>> a data reference ypglhrux.exe. The same .exe file is
>also present in
>> C:\WINNT\system32.
>>
>> Can anyone advise what this file is/does?
>
>..
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>i have a parasite on my computer how do i get rid of it
>>.
>>
>.
>
Lawrence Abrams
news:2650c01c462f6$1a918dc0$a601...@phx.gbl...
> The following is furnished coutesy of Sandi, Microsoft
> MVP:
>
> IMPORTANT: Before trying to remove spyware, download a
> copy of LSPFIX from
> the URL below - some malware can kill your internet
> connection when it is
> removed, and this software should get things going for
> you again:
> http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
You should never install LSP-FIx unless directed to by an expert in Spyware
and Hijackers. Using LSP-Fix improperly can, and has, destroy your internet
connection.
Lawrence Abrams
message news:942E9CE3-4FFD-41A7...@microsoft.com...
Please follow these steps in order to clean your computer of
[url=http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?act=Compupedia&show=22
7]Malware[/url] which can include Viruses, Trojans, Worms, Spyware,
Hijackers and Dialers.
Step 1:
Download Spybot and Adaware from the following locations and install them.
You should run both programs and clean up what it finds. This is to
gaurantee that you find the most malware you can installed on your computer.
Before running the scans on both programs, it is mandatory that you update
the programs. There are update options in each program when you run them.
Spybot
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download
Ad-Aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
If you would like to learn more about how to use these two programs with the
proper settings you can read the tutorials below:
AD-AWARE Tutorial
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=48
SPYBOT SEARCH AND DESTROY Tutorial
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=43
When you scan with both programs, fix everything that it finds.
When you are done with the scan and fixing the items. Please continue with
the next step.
Step 2:
It is important that you run Spybot and Adaware before you proceed with this
step. Fixing enties with Hijackthis may leave behind unwanted files on your
computer if the previous step was not done first.
Create a directory on your hardrive to save HijackThis.exe. A directory
like c:\hijackthis. If you do not do this, you will not be able to use the
backup/restore features.
Download HijackThis from:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip
Save this file into the directory you made previously and then run the
program. Click on the Scan button and when it is finished click on the Save
Log button. A Notepad window will open with the contents of this log. Click
on Edit then click on Select all. Then click on Edit and then Click on
Copy.
Create a reply to this post, and right click in message area and select
paste to paste the log into the post.
Someone will reply to you after reading this post. DO NOT fix any entries
unless you understand what you are doing.
To see a tutorial on using HijackThis you can click on the link below.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=42
Shenan Stanley
> i have a parasite on my computer how do i get rid of it
If you don't wish to follow all of the advice immediately, just want to
get rid of your current dilemma, then you are welcome to scroll down to
the section titled "SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS", where your problem as
stated should be resolved by the applications and suggestions found in
that section. If this helps solve your problem then I again HIGHLY
suggest you follow the rest of the advice below (matter of fact, I
suggest it either way.)
Suggestions on what you can do to secure/clean your PC. I'm going to try
and be general, I will assume a "Windows" operating system is what is
being secured here.
SPYWARE/ADWARE/POPUPS
---------------------
There are annoyances out there you can get without
trying. Your normal web surfing, maybe a wrong click on a web page, maybe
just a momentary lack of judgment by installing some software packages
without doing the research.. And all of a sudden your screen starts filling
up with advertisements or your Internet seems much slower or your home page
won't stay what you set it and goes someplace unfamiliar to you. This is
spyware. There are a whole SLEW of software packages out there to get rid
of this crud and help prevent reinfection. Some of the products already
mentioned might even have branched out into this arena. However, there are
a few applications that seem to be the best at what they do, which is
eradicating and immunizing your system from this crap. Strangely, the best
products I have found in this category ARE generally free. That is a trend
I like. I make donations to some of them, they deserve it!
Two side-notes: Never think one of these can do the whole job.
Try the first 5 before coming back and saying "That did not work!"
Also, you can always visit:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
For more updated information.
Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
http://www.safer-networking.net/
Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
http://www.lavasoft.de
CWSShredder (Free!)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
Hijack This! (Free)
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
( Tutorial: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/htlogtutorial.html )
SpywareBlaster (Free!)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/
IE-SPYAD (Free!)
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm
ToolbarCop (Free!)
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm
Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html
Browser Security Tests
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
http://www.moosoft.com/
That will clean up your machine of the spyware, given that you download and
install several of them, update them regularly and scan with them when you
update. Some (like SpywareBlaster and SpyBot Search and Destroy) have
immunization features that will help you prevent your PC from being
infected. Use these features!
Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on the Internet/while
you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have looked at a lot of options,
seen a lot of them used in production with people who seem to attract popups
like a plague, and I only have one suggestion that end up serving double
duty (search engine and popup stopper in one):
The Google Toolbar (Free!)
http://toolbar.google.com/
Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its a useful one. You
can search from there anytime with one of the best search engines on the
planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow - BONUS! If you
don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to say you go to
www.google.com and search for other options.
One more suggestion, although I will suggest this in a way later, is to
disable your Windows Messenger service. This service is not used frequently
(if at all) by the normal home user and in cooperation with a good firewall,
is generally unnecessary. Microsoft has instructions on how to do this for
Windows XP here:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
UPDATES and PATCHES
-------------------
This one is the most obvious. There is no perfect product and any company
worth their salt will try to meet/exceed the needs of their customers and
fix any problems they find along the way. I am not going to say Microsoft
is the best company in the world about this but they do have an option
available for you to use to keep your machine updated and patched from
the problems and vulnerabilities (as well as product improvements in some
cases) - and it's free to you.
Windows Update
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical ones as
you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when selecting the
updates and if you have trouble over the next few days, go into your control
panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest numbers you downloaded
recently (since you started noticing an issue) and uninstall them. If there
was more than one (usually is), install them back one by one - with a few
hours of use in between, to see if the problem returns. Yes - the process
is not perfect (updating) and can cause trouble like I mentioned - but as
you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and is MUCH better than the
alternatives. (SASSER/BLASTER were SO preventable with just this step!)
Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
manufacturers of the other products usually have updates as well. New
versions of almost everything come out all the time - some are free, some
are pay - some you can only download if you are registered - but it is best
to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their support and
download sections.
You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to interface
with the operating system. You have a video card that allows you to see on
your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your PCs sound output and
so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest downloadable
drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always (IMO) get the
manufacturers hardware driver over any Microsoft offers. On the Windows
Update site I mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting their hardware
drivers - no matter how tempting.
Have I mentioned that Microsoft has some stuff to help secure your computer
available to the end-user for free? This seems as good of a time as any.
They have a CD you can order (it's free) that contain all of the Windows
patches through October 2003 and some trial products as well that they
released in February 2004. Yeah - it's a little behind now, but it's better
than nothing (and used in coordination with the information in this post,
well worth the purchase price..)
Order the Windows Security Update CD
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/cd/order.asp
They also have a bunch of suggestions, some similar to these, on how to
better protect your Windows system:
Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
FIREWALL
--------
Let's say you are up-to-date on the OS (operating system) and you have
Windows XP.. You should at least turn on the built in firewall. That will
do a lot to "hide" you from the random bad things flying around the
Internet. Things like Sasser/Blaster enjoy just sitting out there in
Cyberspace looking for an unprotected Windows Operating System and jumping
on it, doing great damage in the process and then using that Unprotected OS
to continue its dirty work of infecting others. If you have the Windows XP
ICF turned on - default configuration - then they cannot see you! Think of
it as Internet Stealth Mode at this point. It has other advantages, like
actually locking the doors you didn't even (likely) know you had. Doing
this is simple, the instructions you need to use your built in Windows XP
firewall can be found here:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320855
If you read through that and look through the pages that are linked from it
at the bottom of that page - I think you should have a firm grasp on the
basics of the Windows XP Firewall as it is today. One thing to note RIGHT
NOW - if you have AOL, you cannot use this nice firewall that came with
your system. Thank AOL, not Microsoft. You HAVE to configure another
one.. So we continue with our session on Firewalls...
But let's say you DON'T have Windows XP - you have some other OS like
Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME, NT, 2000. Well, you don't have the nifty built in
firewall. My suggestion - upgrade. My next suggestion - look through your
options. There are lots of free and pay firewalls out there for home users.
Yes - you will have to decide on your own which to get. Yes, you will have
to learn (oh no!) to use these firewalls and configure them so they don't
interfere with what you want to do while continuing to provide the security
you desire. It's just like anything else you want to protect - you have to
do something to protect it. Here are some suggested applications. A lot of
people tout "ZoneAlarm" as being the best alternative to just using the
Windows XP ICF, but truthfully - any of these alternatives are much better
than the Windows XP ICF at what they do - because that is ALL they do.
ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
http://www.agnitum.com/download/
Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
http://blackice.iss.net/
Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
http://www.tinysoftware.com/
That list is not complete, but they are good firewall options, every one of
them. Visit the web pages, read up, ask around if you like - make a
decision and go with some firewall, any firewall. Also, maintain it.
Sometimes new holes are discovered in even the best of these products and
patches are released from the company to remedy this problem. However, if
you don't get the patches (check the manufacturer web page on occasion),
then you may never know you have the problem and/or are being used through
this weakness. Also, don't stack these things. Running more than one
firewall will not make you safer - it would likely (in fact) negate some
protection you gleamed from one or the other firewalls you ran together.
ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
------------------
That's not all. That's one facet of a secure PC, but firewalls don't do
everything. I saw one person posting on a newsgroup that "they had
never had a virus and they never run any anti-virus software." Yep - I used
to believe that way too - viruses were something everyone else seemed to
get, were they just stupid? And for the average joe-user who is careful,
uses their one-three family computers carefully, never opening unknown
attachments, always visiting the same family safe web sites, never
installing anything that did not come with their computer - maybe, just
maybe they will never witness a virus. I, however, am a Network Systems
Administrator. I see that AntiVirus software is an absolute necessity given
how most people see their computer as a toy/tool and not something
they should have to maintain and upkeep. After all, they were invented to
make life easier, right - not add another task to your day. You
can be as careful as you want - will the next person be as careful? Will
someone send you unknowingly the email that erases all the pictures of your
child/childhood? Possibly - why take the chance? ALWAYS RUN ANTIVIRUS
SOFTWARE and KEEP IT UP TO DATE! Antivirus software comes in so many
flavors, it's like walking into a Jelly Belly store - which one tastes like
what?! Well, here are a few choices for you. Some of these are free (isn't
that nice?) and some are not. Is one better than the other - MAYBE.
Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
http://www.symantec.com/
Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html
Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
http://www.pandasoftware.com/
(Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)
AVG 6.0 Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
http://www.grisoft.com/
McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
http://www.mcafee.com/
AntiVir (Free and up)
http://www.free-av.com/
avast! 4 (Free and up)
http://www.avast.com/
Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
http://www.trendmicro.com/
(Free Online Scanner:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)
RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan (Free!)
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
Did I mention you have to not only install this software, but also keep it
updated? You do. Some of them (most) have automatic services to help you
do this - I mean, it's not your job to keep up with the half-dozen or more
new threats that come out daily, is it? Be sure to keep whichever one you
choose up to date!
SPAM EMAIL/JUNK MAIL
--------------------
This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in one
sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do? Well,
although there are services out there to help you, some email
servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built into
their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the end-decision
maker on what is spam and what isn't. If these things worked perfectly, we
wouldn't need people and then there would be no spam anyway - vicious
circle, eh? Anyway - I have two products to suggest to you, look at them
and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if they don't, Google is
free and available for your perusal.
SpamBayes (Free!)
http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
Spamihilator (Free!)
http://www.spamihilator.com/
As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I have
seen function for hundreds+ people.
DISABLE (Set to Manual) UNUSED SERVICE/STARTUP APPS
---------------------------------------------------
I might get arguments on putting this one here, but it's my spill. There are
lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by default you don't
use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see what all of the
services you might find on your computer are and set them according to your
personal needs. Be CAREFUL what you set to manual, and take heed and write
down as you change things! Also, don't expect a large performance increase
or anything - especially on todays 2+ GHz machines, however - I look at each
service you set to manual as one less service you have to worry about
someone exploiting. A year ago, I would have thought the Windows Messenger
service to be pretty safe, now I recommend (with addition of a firewall)
that most home users disable it! Yeah - this is another one you have to
work for, but your computer may speed up and/or be more secure because you
took the time. And if you document what you do as you do it, next time, it
goes MUCH faster! (or if you have to go back and re-enable things..)
Task List Programs
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/
There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when you start
up the computer/logon. One of the better description on how to handle these
I have found here:
Startups
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
That's it. A small booklet on how to keep your computer secure, clean of
scum and more user friendly. I am SURE I missed something, almost as I am
sure you won't read all of it (anyone for that matter.) However, I also
know that someone who followed all of the advice above would also have less
problems with their PC, less problems with viruses, less problems with spam,
fewer problems with spyware and better performance than someone who didn't.
Hope it helps.
--
<- Shenan ->
--
The information is provided "as is", with no guarantees of
completeness, accuracy or timeliness, and without warranties of any
kind, express or implied. In other words, read up before you take any
advice - you are the one ultimately responsible for your actions.