Pl Help ME

[soumyajeetmohanty via WindowsKB.com]

hi mikey

sorry man...let me tell everything clearly.... i am using a MS Win XP SP2....
yesterday i had downloaded n installed a file actually i dont remember the
exact file name that i had installed i think its name was "NITCO" or may be
not as i am not sure .... and after installing it a few mins later a message
had popped up in the taskbar and it contained "4 spyware have been detected"
and suddenly after that i tried to maximise that yellow coloured information
icon that was in the right bottom taskbar (where all the icons of the program
shortcut shown like sounds setting ) but it was vanished when i did so....and
after that i thought something is not right then i uninstalled that program
and deleted that file also...and then i tried to restore my computer to the
previuos day the point was when i had installed JAVA J2RE 5.0...but when it
finished it showed the message that "the system can't be resotred.. no
changes have been made".....
Well now i dont understand whats happening
1- Was that file a virus affected if yes then why didn't my anti virus
detected it (AVG 7.0) OR
2- There is some other problem

pl people help me out i have some important documents which i dont want to
loose it.

SOMU

pl help me out of this....

A good place to start would be by posting details of your problem to a
newsgroup supporting those running XP rather than one supporting those
running Win Me. When you do post to an XP newsgroup remember to provide
full details of the messages seen when you attempt to use system restore,
something you omitted in your message to this newsgroup. It would
probably be helpful to those who might want to try and help you if you
also include full details of the AV application you are running together
with details of the spyware it told you you had installed when you ran the
unnamed file you downloaded.

Hi there i'm using MS WIN XP...today i had download a file and run it
but didnt find that much interesting so i deleted it and suddenly a

[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]

days back restoration point but all was in vain....pl help me out of
this....

 

[Sharon F]

1- Was that file a virus affected if yes then why didn't my anti virus
detected it (AVG 7.0) OR

If you don't know what file it was, how would we know any details about it?

The System Restore problem can be a part of the episode or it may just be
coincidence. There are many reasons why System Restore might fail. Read up
on this feature here: http://bertk.mvps.org/

 

[soumyajeetmohanty via WindowsKB.com]

hi all

hey thanks n sorry sharon i almost forgot the file name but when i tried to
run it no application comes up to the screen...so i dont know what type of
program was that....well u can tell this my stupidity....and after all humans
do the mistakes no.....any ways i'm thinking to backup my all files and then
i will format my comp....what do u say

 

[Sharon F]

hi all

hey thanks n sorry sharon i almost forgot the file name but when i tried to
run it no application comes up to the screen...so i dont know what type of
program was that....well u can tell this my stupidity....and after all humans
do the mistakes no.....any ways i'm thinking to backup my all files and then
i will format my comp....what do u say

No need to be hard on yourself. We all make mistakes now and then or forget
what a file was named.

Without the file name or more details, it's tough to call whether
formatting is necessary (after backing up data files) or not. Again, the
system restore problem could go either way - an entirely separate issue or
a side effect of malware.

On the one hand, the messages you saw about detected malware could indicate
that whatever protection you have in place blocked damage from occurring.
You could run a manual scan of your system with your antivirus program and
anti-malware program. And even use some of the online antivirus scanners to
see if anything "bad" is discovered.

On the other hand, more than the detected malware could have been
installed. While most malware can be detected and repaired using good up to
date programs, it's difficult for the average user to discover and remove a
rootkit or RAT (remote access trojan) that may also have been introduced by
running a "bad" executable.

If you are not confident that machine is clean, it would be better to err
on the conservative side of things and go ahead with a flatten/start over
approach instead of a search and destroy tactic. Another alternative would
be finding a reputable computer service in your area and let them clean up
the system for you.

 

[soumyajeetmohanty via WindowsKB.com]

hi sharon once again....well lots of thanks to u for ur kind support....well
i need to know something from u regarding the anti-virus......i'm making it
simplier 4 u by making points written below...

but first my PC config
-- Manufactured By IBM
-- Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
-- OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
-- DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
-- CPU Type Intel Pentium 4 630, 3000 MHz (15 x 200)
-- System Memory 503 MB (DDR2-400 DDR2 SDRAM)
-- Video Adapter Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family (128
MB)
-- 3D Accelerator Intel GMA 900
-- L2 Cache 2 MB (On-Die, ECC, ATC, Full-Speed)

Now My Questions---

1) Which anti - virus shall i install in my system in order to have some good
effects? Previously i was using Norton Anti Virus 2005 but it slowed down as
a result i then installed AVG anti-virus 7.1 Home version...So any other
better anti-virus....

2) I dont have any anti-malware software....so is it required neccesarily if
yes then which one i should install?

3) How would i know which file is a virus affected if it is not detected by a
antivirus?

hi all

[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]

do the mistakes no.....any ways i'm thinking to backup my all files and then
i will format my comp....what do u say

No need to be hard on yourself. We all make mistakes now and then or forget
what a file was named.

Without the file name or more details, it's tough to call whether
formatting is necessary (after backing up data files) or not. Again, the
system restore problem could go either way - an entirely separate issue or
a side effect of malware.

On the one hand, the messages you saw about detected malware could indicate
that whatever protection you have in place blocked damage from occurring.
You could run a manual scan of your system with your antivirus program and
anti-malware program. And even use some of the online antivirus scanners to
see if anything "bad" is discovered.

On the other hand, more than the detected malware could have been
installed. While most malware can be detected and repaired using good up to
date programs, it's difficult for the average user to discover and remove a
rootkit or RAT (remote access trojan) that may also have been introduced by
running a "bad" executable.

If you are not confident that machine is clean, it would be better to err
on the conservative side of things and go ahead with a flatten/start over
approach instead of a search and destroy tactic. Another alternative would
be finding a reputable computer service in your area and let them clean up
the system for you.

 

[Sharon F]

hi sharon once again....well lots of thanks to u for ur kind support....well
i need to know something from u regarding the anti-virus......i'm making it
simplier 4 u by making points written below...

but first my PC config
-- Manufactured By IBM
-- Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional
-- OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
-- DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
-- CPU Type Intel Pentium 4 630, 3000 MHz (15 x 200)
-- System Memory 503 MB (DDR2-400 DDR2 SDRAM)
-- Video Adapter Intel(R) 82915G/GV/910GL Express Chipset Family (128
MB)
-- 3D Accelerator Intel GMA 900
-- L2 Cache 2 MB (On-Die, ECC, ATC, Full-Speed)

Now My Questions---

1) Which anti - virus shall i install in my system in order to have some good
effects? Previously i was using Norton Anti Virus 2005 but it slowed down as
a result i then installed AVG anti-virus 7.1 Home version...So any other
better anti-virus....

2) I dont have any anti-malware software....so is it required neccesarily if
yes then which one i should install?

3) How would i know which file is a virus affected if it is not detected by a
antivirus?

1) Choosing the right antivirus program is a personal exercise. Use a
program that rates well in independent studies, that is a good match for
your hardware and software mix and, if you're lucky, it will have a nice
usable interface as well.

I'm not a fan of Norton's. A lot of folks use AVG but I've never had good
luck with it - blue screens at startup on my setups. I've used eTrust's
EZAntivirus for years. It's a nice "light" antivirus program and usually
rates well in the independent studies. Recently, just to try something
different, I switched to using aVast! Personal Edition on my desktop and
tablet PC. It is free for home use but they do offer a pay version with a
few more features as well.

2) Modern antivirus program's are getting very good at checking for malware
as well as viruses but I still feel that it's effective to use a product
designed specifically for malware detection and removal. I use and like
Windows Defender (formally MS Anti-Spyware). I also check the system
periodically with AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy.

Spyware Blaster is another nice tool to use in conjunction with the others-
it is run once (and every now and then to apply updates). No need to leave
it running in the background. To protect, it places blocks against malware
in the registry -stopping installations before they occur. A nice effective
approach but only helpful if the malware is included in its database.

There's many solutions and other people have other favorites. These are
just ones that I personally use and like.

3) Unless you know how to open a file with a tool (hex editor or whatever)
and understand the code, you won't know if a file is a virus carrier or
not. You can take steps to avoid infection though:

New viruses are discovered constantly. The antivirus companies add those
new findings to updates. This is why it's so important to stay up to date
on definitions for the antivirus program of choice. Same goes for your
anti-malware selection.

Practice "safe hex." Not a complete list but:

Keep protection programs updated.

Don't open or run files from unknown sources - especially executables but
many file types can be "carriers" so be cautious with all files.

Manually scan a file before opening. Not a sure bet the file is not
infected but a bit better than double clicking and then hearing alarms from
the antivirus program.

If prompted to install something when you did not initiate the install or
do not know what is being installed, CANCEL!

File sharing is a BIG inroad for malware problems. Personally, I just stay
away from this activity entirely.

 

[soumyajeetmohanty via WindowsKB.com]

hi there..... hey thanks sharon for ur valuable time and suggestion....
well i'm going 4 ur suggestions and will search for the programs u told.....
any ways its being very nice talking to well actually virtually talking to u..
..... well i would love to keep in touch wid u.....so u can mail me at my
email (e-mail address removed) if u also like to be in touch wid me..
..and once again thanks to u a lot........

hi sharon once again....well lots of thanks to u for ur kind support....well
i need to know something from u regarding the anti-virus......i'm making it

[quoted text clipped - 24 lines]

3) How would i know which file is a virus affected if it is not detected by a
antivirus?

1) Choosing the right antivirus program is a personal exercise. Use a
program that rates well in independent studies, that is a good match for
your hardware and software mix and, if you're lucky, it will have a nice
usable interface as well.

I'm not a fan of Norton's. A lot of folks use AVG but I've never had good
luck with it - blue screens at startup on my setups. I've used eTrust's
EZAntivirus for years. It's a nice "light" antivirus program and usually
rates well in the independent studies. Recently, just to try something
different, I switched to using aVast! Personal Edition on my desktop and
tablet PC. It is free for home use but they do offer a pay version with a
few more features as well.

2) Modern antivirus program's are getting very good at checking for malware
as well as viruses but I still feel that it's effective to use a product
designed specifically for malware detection and removal. I use and like
Windows Defender (formally MS Anti-Spyware). I also check the system
periodically with AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy.

Spyware Blaster is another nice tool to use in conjunction with the others-
it is run once (and every now and then to apply updates). No need to leave
it running in the background. To protect, it places blocks against malware
in the registry -stopping installations before they occur. A nice effective
approach but only helpful if the malware is included in its database.

There's many solutions and other people have other favorites. These are
just ones that I personally use and like.

3) Unless you know how to open a file with a tool (hex editor or whatever)
and understand the code, you won't know if a file is a virus carrier or
not. You can take steps to avoid infection though:

New viruses are discovered constantly. The antivirus companies add those
new findings to updates. This is why it's so important to stay up to date
on definitions for the antivirus program of choice. Same goes for your
anti-malware selection.

Practice "safe hex." Not a complete list but:

Keep protection programs updated.

Don't open or run files from unknown sources - especially executables but
many file types can be "carriers" so be cautious with all files.

Manually scan a file before opening. Not a sure bet the file is not
infected but a bit better than double clicking and then hearing alarms from
the antivirus program.

If prompted to install something when you did not initiate the install or
do not know what is being installed, CANCEL!

File sharing is a BIG inroad for malware problems. Personally, I just stay
away from this activity entirely.

 

[Sharon F]

hi there..... hey thanks sharon for ur valuable time and suggestion....
well i'm going 4 ur suggestions and will search for the programs u told.....
any ways its being very nice talking to well actually virtually talking to u..
.... well i would love to keep in touch wid u.....so u can mail me at my
email (e-mail address removed) if u also like to be in touch wid me..
.and once again thanks to u a lot........

You're most welcome and good luck!
Sharon F
MS-MVP ~ Windows Shell/User