I have an XP Systemax unit that has worked for two years flawlessly. Until today. I checked my e-mail in the early morning and noticed it was a little sluggish, so I rebooted--I admit, it had been a while since my last reboot. When the computer up came back, it was almost at a dead stop. Neither my ZoneAlarm nor AVG Anti-Virus would load. Any program I tried relating to anti-anything would not work, either. After several reboots I was able to launch AVG and found hundreds of spyware files dumped on my system, from CoolWebSearch to lots more with the word "search" at the end of it. I managed to delete all the entries, but my system still badly working. I had to use Phoenix System to restore the unit to its factory hope and settings for the best. I have yet to go home and see if it worked. Any suggestions as to any more varieties of defense? I have (had) SpyCatcher Express, ZoneAlarm, ZoneAlarm ForceField, CCleaner, Advanced WindowsCare Personal, and SpywareBlaster. Luckily, I had everything backed up to a separate drive and also to other computers on my network that they could not see. Just when we all thought CoolWebSearch was a plain thing of the past, it rears up to trouble the victim with pop-ups, browser hijacking, and scraping up personal data. Getting rid of it and its ilk is the first task. Keeping them from returning is the second. CoolWebSearch first started out spying on Windows users in 2003. Not too long after, InterMute Software (now part of TrendMicro), released CWShredder, a freeware antispyware utility bent on destroying CoolWebSearch and known variants from your PC. Hopefully the infiltrating malware isn't crafty enough to disable your Internet connection or new downloads. If it is, downloading the file on an uninfected computer and transferring it through flash memory or a CD to the besieged computer might work. If the executable installs but isn't able to run, rebooting in Safe Mode--by repeatedly punching the F8 key and selecting "Safe Mode"--should succeed. At this point, let's assume that CWShredder has emerged victorious and most of the files are gone. This is a good time to rev up one of your trusted antivirus applications for a second-round check. When all appears clear, I'd let loose with CCleaner to sweep away fragments of digital debris on the hard drive and Registry. You'll have the added assurance that CCleaner will make backups to undo changes in an emergency. If you'd like, scan with a different antivirus program to ensure you've thoroughly hunted down the malicious code, and--this is recommended, but optional--top it off with a thorough defrag session completely. Gosh, that sounds like a complete lot of work. It is, but that's the nature of the DIY malware-removal beast. Wiping XP and reinstalling Windows is a more straightforward, more extreme technique, but it, too, takes hours to accomplish and requires the presence of your original boot disks. Besides, you'll need to reinstall all the software, photos, music, and other personal files that you had accumulated over the full years, another time-consuming effort. What about when the computer is back to its pristine state? How, then, do you keep nasty, invasive malware from piercing your armor? A good firewall is crucial. Essential are safe surfing habits equally. Take good thing about user accounts on computers you share with extended family and friends who may engage in risky online behavior. See our how-to). Also, try switching to Firefox, Opera, or Flock browsers if you've had problems with viruses targeting Internet Explorer. And you know those Web-site-rating browser add-ons we routinely advocate? Use them; they work. Must-have utilities for your Windows toolkit there. WOT, Netcraft Toolbar, LinkScanner, and McAfee SiteAdvisor are all solid options.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |