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SQLGeek wrote:Which anti-malware program did you get?

That would be malwarebytes', as reccomended by TxLobo

snatchel wrote:

SQLGeek wrote:Which anti-malware program did you get?

That would be malwarebytes', as reccomended by TxLobo

If you don't run rkill before the scan, you can still have rootkits that prevent the av and mw programs from seeing them.

You can combine some av programs to have more than one line of defense. On this pc I run AVG, Threatfire, And SuperAntiSpyware. On the one at home, I run Alvira, Threatfire, and LavaSoft AdAware.

What rkill does: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic308364.html

I run trendmicro (the $ version) and ad aware (free).....yes, honestly, the best way the fight these things is to stack the programs, one might find something the others don't

a couple of weeks ago while searching for scripts for this coming semesters' homeschool co-op drama class I managed to get into something, computer started running super slow, after I figured out what had happened I knew exactly which site had done it, but at the time everything seemed on the up-and-up...made me so mad.

ran an extra scan cleaned it up and everything was fine again.

Just started running updates for windows. 5 updates required... fail. haha

A few years ago I realized that restoring my machine from a backup once or twice a year would take less of my time, on average, than my machine running slow everyday because of bloated AV. So I stopped running AV.

I haven't had any lost time from virus/antivirus in three years.

I'd be careful having a third party checking out a computer that a high school male has been using to check out "dirty" sites unless the phrase "possession of child pornography" doesn't bother you. I'd suggest formatting and restoring a backup with the assistance of a computer knowledgeble trusted friend.

AndyC wrote:Well, if that's the case, a format won't do the trick - you'll need to erase the drive (not the same thing).

True, whenever I retire or re-purpose a machine or HDD I use a triple pass low end format (writes to zeros) that meets DoD specs.

If you are running Windows, Combofix is by far the best rootkit/boot sector scanner and repair tool there is.

I use Spybot S&D, AVG and CCleaner in combination. I will break out Combofix and some other weapons if needed but this combination works 99% of the time on my own machine as well as those I fix for others. CCleaner will do the most good for performance, Spybot is the most exhaustive detection engine I have ever seen. AVG is what I use because it is good, well supported and plays well with others which is important in my flight simming. Also it is not the resource hog nor as invasive as Symantec, McAfee and others.

Another tip is a simple one. When your done, shut off the machine and kill the power ( I use a switch box); especially if you are connected to an always on network like DSL, Fios, Cable, T1 etc. A lot happens in the dark of night while your machine is sitting there, twiddling its thumbs while ne'er do wells are pinging networks.

Most routers have their own firmware with at least 128bit encryption. This is one of the best first line defenses. I have a external HDD connected to mine as a ad hoc server for everyone to park common files. It has its own access control. Otherwise, gaming systems, laptops and desk tops are all wireless. Someone would really need to want my boring stuff to wade through all of that.

Disregard. Everything has been covered
.

Dragonfighter wrote:Most routers have their own firmware with at least 128bit encryption. This is one of the best first line defenses. I have a external HDD connected to mine as a ad hoc server for everyone to park common files

I thought you were going to say to use as a "Honeypot"

I used to set up a honeypot computer, let hackers play in it thinking they actually got into the network ... was fun watching them.

AndyC wrote:Well, if that's the case, a format won't do the trick - you'll need to erase the drive (not the same thing).

If there's something illegal on the hard drive he doesn't know about, the chances of being turned in to the FBI by a big box store are high. On the other hand, if he fixes the virus himself, the chances are very low the FBI will pick his name out of a hat, get a warrant, and do forensic IT on some random college kid.

+1 for combofix

Its a sledgehammer in some cases But works well when 2 scans keep turning up bad things

Safemode
combfix and malware bytes from a usb drive

solves MOST if not all