[Happy Cat]

I know little to nothing about computors, ( big surprise ), seeing how the last class in computors in college was Fortran-77, before Al Gore was born. And add the fact I am a Cheap so and so. I have some problems/questions I need help with.

Here is problem One:
I had a Norton antivirus program running on a trial bases, which has now expired. It still works but will not update it self unless I buy the upgrade. Also packaged with the computor is Freedom Security (Zeroknowledge), for which I must pay to actavate. Ok, I know I will have to crack open the wallet, so what is good to get?

Also in the news paper tech section the Norton 360 was recommended... about $80. And a free down load version of AVG. (AVG:http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition). Of course I tried to down load this, (see the cheap part), but it failed to complete the down load. And they wanted to sale me stuff.

I also question should I go to a computor store to buy or buy on line?

And this is what brought this thread into being, and really starting to piss me off: with in the last couple of days somethin called Cyber Security/Cyber Protection Center has been down loaded into my computor. At first I though it was am up-date from Microsoft. It has look of a Microsoft program, but I don't know for sure as there is also a Microsoft Security Center which seems tobe different. This new thing scanned my computor and showed me a big page of programs that is badware which suppost to be on my computor. Of course I have to buy something to get rid of all of this bad stuff. It seems like every 10 minutes this thing interrupes what I am doing to tell me about:
cleanmgr.exe
cliconfg.exe
cmmon 32.exe

if I tell it to fix the problem it takes me to the sales site. If I tell it to go away it just returns later. Also it has been telling me my computo is under a Trojan attack: "Trojan Downloader.Agent.OS2".
Then I get a blue screen and a microsoft warning about Spywaremaster.Fx something, something. etc.

Is this thing real Microsoft software? Is this scareware?

Also when I get a new security program, I have to unistall/remove/delete the old programs first, right?


Lastly, I would love to give AOL the boot big time. On this computor is MSN explorer and Inter Explorer. I also got a down load of Mozlla FireFox which I thought I could use to get on line with, but I guess not or I am doing something wrong (no surprise there). What is the way to go here?


I use dial up. The computor is a HP (2003 model, first started using it in 2006 and first on line in 2007). 128m. XP. 32bit. the processor is x86 family 6 model 6 stepping 2 authnic AMD=1532Mhz.

Ok when you pick yourself up off the floor and stop laughing, how about some advice and/or help. HC.

[HoosierDaddy]

I run AVG 8.5 and it works fine for me. But, I'm cheap and it is free. I think the one bandied about on here usually is Kaspersky for "best".

Edit: Hmmm. If AOL is your provider (what connects you to the net), then you aren't going to be using internet explorer or Firefox. Those are "browsers", and AOL (I'm pretty sure) is its own browser.

I'd get rid of the AOL and pick up your local cable, it's ~twice the cost, but way better and then you can use those browsers. If you have cable you might be able to just get the bundle (and we know you have a hard phone line because of AOL), for ~100.00 a month you can get cable tv, cable internet, and digital phone line.

This post has been edited by HoosierDaddy: 11 November 2009 - 04:11 AM

[Mentalist]

ok, I've picked myself up from the floor from all the laughter.

first of all, your PC has apparently been infected with some sort of malware. your best self-help method--get to the task manager ("ctrl+alt+delete" usually works wonders with that), look for the processes you're currently running, and end the ones you don't like/that look suspicious/youdon't recognize. also, write them down on a sheet of paper

once you've done that, try searching for the launch programs for these processes using the "search" function. if you find them "usually either in C:/Windows/system32, or in some Temporary Internet files, or just TEMP directory, get rid of them (NOTE: do this ONLY to programs that have been creted/modified RECENTLY!!! this is very important, so that you don't accidentally delete something vital). if you're not sure, googling "what is______.exe?" works wornders in explaining the process to you.

once you're done with that, look for some kind of malware removal. I find that Ad-aware does wonders. if you're looking for an AVP, Kaspersky IS a solid one, as HD mentioned.

RE: money. I could tell you how to unlock the trial version and not pay, but that'd be illegal.

oh, and yeah, get cable. i moved beyond dial-up in 2001 (I think), and I will never go back.

[Silencer]

Ment, did you just tell someone who knows next-to-nothing about computers to use the task manager to end processes? O.o
That's like suggesting said person starts deleting things in the 'Windows' folder. XD

Kaspersky, NOD32, or AVG are all good anti-virus programs, each with pros and cons. I use the NOD Smart Security bundle, purchased from a store, and it works good. Costs, of course.

Norton is the worst anti-virus program ever made. It has a really good record as far as in-house tests are, but in the real world it both fails to catch viruses and uses a lot of system resources (your RAM/processor).

As for you random self-downloading, annoying security program thingy, I wouldn't trust it. Step one is to Google the program, and the files it's reporting, to see if it or they are in fact bad files. If the program is fine, then you can trust it's reports, to a degree.
I'd still suggest uninstalling it and getting one of the programs referenced above.

And yes, I laughed. Rather hard.

(And how can you live with dial-up? It's horrible. O.o)

[amphibian]

If you really have trouble dealing with stuff like this, consider paying your most computer savvy acquaintance in beer to fix your computer. Assuming you do know someone rather used to dealing with computer maintenance stuff, it'll get done then and there and you may be able to pry a brew back.

Silencer and Hoosier seem to have a good handle on you and your situation. I'd listen to them.

[Centzon Totochtin]

throw your computer at the next taxi/truck/bus that you see.

Not the type of help you were after?

[alt146]

The program you're talking about sounds like scareware. Even if the problems it's reporting are real, I wouldn't buy it - any program that tries to sell itself by annoying you is bound to be rubbish. ANd I agree, Norton is rubbish - every person I know who has ever had Norton has uninstalled it and immediately had their new antivirus report things that Norton missed.

My best advice would be to start of with a fresh windows install after you've backed up everything. A lot of people are hesitiant to do this, but at the end of the day it will save you a lot of time and frustration. Just make 100% sure you back up everything you want. Download AVG free, or buy either the NOD32 or Kaspersky Internet Security bundles. You could go for just the antivirus of either company if you want to save money, but the full bundle comes with a lot of usefull features. If you're going to go with AVG and want the equivalent of a full internet security bundle for free, I would also advise getting the Comodo firewall (not the antivirus though, AVG's is better). Be warned though, it can be a little annoying and firewalls in general tend to intimidate the less computer-savvy. I personally run AVG + Comodo firewall and it works great.

Once you've decided the route you want to go, back up your data and make sure you have all the install files and drivers you might need. You dont want to connect to the internet again before you've finished setting up your PC. If possible have your backed up data scanned by a friend with a good, up to date virus program while you format. Once you've reinstalled windows, install your drivers, then your antivirus and firewall before you do anything else. Also make sure to update your virus definitions straight away.

And definitely switch to broadband. And use firefox. I didn't know that your ISP could make you browse with their own browser, but I might be misunderstanding that part.

[Silencer]

Ooh, yes, Comodo firewall is a good additional program to have for use with AVG, or any other stand-alone anti-vir.

[HoosierDaddy]

I run AVG, and use Windows Firewall (under Firefox browser). Is Comodo's much better? Will I have compatability issues with the Windows Firewall?

[Silencer]

Most of the time, running dual firewalls causes problems, yes. But Comodo's offering is far superior to the Windows default.

Then again, given Vista likes to tell me I have "Multiple Security Issues" when I simply turn off User Account Control...yes, "multiple" indeed. The UAC was a crappy idea in the first place, but apparently it's a multiple of itself. XD

[Happy Cat]

Thanks for the help and advice every-one. Hoped I gave you a good chuckle in return.

And Yes, Centz as I have stated many times I have considered testing the aerodynamic properties of the computer; however, replacing a third floor window is such a pain.

[Centzon Totochtin]

you can't open your window???

[Happy Cat]

Damn, why didn't I think of that?

[Bhurnae]

There is only one sure-fire way of fixing all computer problems..........thump it on the top right hand corner, HARD

[Sindriss]

The problem is that once you get malware or spyware inside the computer it can be pretty troublesome to get rid of it. I would suggest to lend a external harddisk (Seeing your pc, I have to doubt you own one) and copy all your relevant pictures, documents etc. on to it and then first format c: and then reinstall windows. It is actually really easy to do and you should be able to find several easy guides on google on how to do it, which you can then print out.
Basically you put windows cd in cd/dvd-drev and reboot, goes into bios to set priority loading phase to cd/dvd before what is typical your harddisk, save/exit and then boots up from the cd, follows the guide and formats c: before you reinstall. Be sure to use NTFS and not FAT.
Basically that is what the standard guide would say, but hopefully it will do it a lot more smooth and clearer for the not so tech-savy.

Also, I bet you can find some guy at your office that can do this for a beer and a pizza

[alt146]

Bhurnae, on 11 November 2009 - 09:49 AM, said:

There is only one sure-fire way of fixing all computer problems..........thump it on the top right hand corner, HARD

The technical term is 'percussive maintenance'. And there are valid scientific reasons as to why it works on CRT screens

[Gem Windcaster]

Since it's xp we're talking about here. Download Spybot S&D - it's a great free spyware remover. For antivirus, go with AVG that people have already mentioned - also Avast have a free home edition.

Secondly, you are infected through your email and other internet activities, so you the best way to avoid to be infected is to learn what is dangerous and what isn't. There are tons of scripts run on every website you wander around on, and all scripts can be infected one way or another. Personally I use Firefox with plug-ins like noscript that enables me to run only those scripts that are necessary for the site to run properly.

Thirdly, you need to be aware that there are fake antivirus software out there. So don't let your browser download anything that you don't know is safe.

Oh, and you can't have more than one antivirus program installed since they have active processes that will interfere with each other if running at the same time.

Oh and lastly - this is important: with xp you need a firewall also - for example zonealarm's free basic version (click on the link below the trial versions - it says zonealarm basic firewall). Another one is Sygate personal firewall - but I am unsure if the latest version is still free. I found this link though.

I used to run Spybot s&d, avast and Sygate personal firewall (back in the days when they were free)) when I used XP - they worked great for me. But good internet learnings is a must.

Edit: I haven't had chance to use the comodo firewall, but I'm sure it's a fine choice too.

This post has been edited by Gem Windcaster: 11 November 2009 - 02:13 PM

[caladanbrood]

 I used to have a similar problem to this. The only way I eventually managed to completely get rid of it was re-installing Windows. AVG tamed it pretty well, but it was still there until I wiped the whole lot. 

This post has been edited by caladanbrood: 11 November 2009 - 05:19 PM

[Gem Windcaster]

Hmm, the only way it's that difficult to get rid of is if it's a rootkit, and there are ways to get rid of rootkits manually - but you have to dabble in the registry, and you have to know what rootkit you're dealing with. But generally if you get the right definitions for your anti-virus though, it should be able to get rid of it.

The thing I would do is try to delete/uninstall the culprit in safe mode, but it can be tedious work, and potentially dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

Edit:
OH, and I did some google fu and found this, I think it the same as Happy cat is talking about: http://rogueantispyw...ion-center.html

At the bottom of the article is a link to a program that removes it.

(ok so I googled "Cyber Security/Cyber Protection Center" and it was the first result on google - you guys should really learn to google more )

This post has been edited by Gem Windcaster: 11 November 2009 - 06:40 PM

[caladanbrood]

It seemed pretty well hidden. I'm not savvy enough to know exactly what it was or where it was, but I sure as hell couldn't get rid of it on my own, and neither could AVG. Might not be the same thing, I imagine that there are quite a few similar viruses around.