Thread: Internet Extortion?

Just in case anybody ever finds it useful:

If you suspect (or know) that you've got some malware on your machine, and especially if your various programs don't seem able to solve the problem, you should try running your sweeps and scans in Window's "Safe Mode". It keeps the malware from hiding itself on startup and/or disabling your security software.

In XP, for example, you access the Safe Mode by pressing F8 as Windows loads. Instructions for other Windows OSs can be seen here.

Originally Posted by Bruno

Broad band routers are not firewalls, but they refuse incoming connections by default, so they are already a very good protection measure.

Some also keep a log of attempted incoming connections that weren't initiated from your end. Once you've seen just how many of these random probes are happening constantly, you never underestimate the problem again.

It doesn't help that Windows itself sends out probing network requests. If you and your neighbour use the same ISP and connect without NAT routers etc., your machines could be chattering away to each other - along with all the other customers connected to the same part of the ISP's subnet.

If you assumed your ISP filters all that stuff, you might get a rude awakening.

I use ccleaner to keep my computer running pretty well. I have used it for a while now and have not had any problems with it. It's freeware, too. I've learned what is and isn't supposed to be in my startup and registry and it has several features that allow you to control what is in both of those. It also cleans out your cookies for you. It also has a more detailed list of what is on your add or remove programs list. I run it everyday to delete my cookies. You should also keep in mind that things can hide in the recovery files that windows makes in case you have to revert back to an old file. I would suggest deleting those every once in a while. I leave mine off for that very reason. Also, delete any old versions of programs that you never use, like java or netframe. You can install newer versions and still keep the old ones, which are more likely to have viruses written for them as they have been around longer. And watch which websites you surf. You should be able to tell which ones are giving you all the problems.

As mentioned before, different anti virus programs have different definitions of viruses. Norton seems to be the big dog as far as viruses are concerned. There are free ones you can use online, too. I've used ewido antispyware and bitdefender antivirus online before. Ewido is pretty good, bitdefender could be better. They both make you download definitions, though, so use at your own risk.