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Computer Clean Up Question

 
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Tora_Frogg
Divided by Zero


Joined: 05 Oct 2007
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Location: King George, VA

PostPosted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:43 pm    Post subject: Computer Clean Up Question Reply with quote

So I did a destructive system recovery on my computer today, by choice, not that anything was wrong with it, just like to start fresh now and then.

I had forgotten how much unnecessary crap (pardon my almost bad language) comes on the computer when you get it from a manufacturer.

There were several programs that I was told about when I did the last destructive recovery that were designed to get rid of all that extra crap.

One of them was Black Viper or something like that, not that I'm picky.
Do any of you know of a program that does that?

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hikaru
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Joined: 20 Nov 2000
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Location: Kansas City, KS, USA

PostPosted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

MalwareBytes is my pill of choice. SuperAntiSpyware isn't bad, but they really push you to buy the commercial version.

Cheers

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The Silver Coyote
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Joined: 09 Nov 2003
Posts: 491
Location: Rogue River Valley, Oregon

PostPosted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 9:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I will echo Hikaru's vote for MalWareBytes. It has rooted out things on my laptop that other hunter/killer apps did not.

I have a folder called "utility" on my laptop, in which the following apps reside, amongst others:
MalWareBytes
SpyBot Search & Destroy
CCleaner
Defraggler
Norton AntiVirus
Windows Update

That folder used to also contain AdAware, but that application became too bloated and convoluted to be of much practical use, and I removed it.

I'm sure we could start a debate about the pros and cons of any given tool, but the point is that I use antivirus technology backed by at least a couple of malware hunter/killer programs, keep the HDD and registry free of clutter and organized, and keep my O/S up to date.

I keep my browser and e-mail clients up to date too. (I recommend Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird ...)

Whatever your O/S, whichever antivirus technology you use, whatever other tools you choose to employ in keeping your system cleaned up, do it regularly. I run utilities on my computers monthly, if not more often, and have had very few problems over the years, and have never experienced a total crash of a computer or network due to invasive applications.

Good luck!

SC

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Tora_Frogg
Divided by Zero


Joined: 05 Oct 2007
Posts: 774
Location: King George, VA

PostPosted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 12:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you both very much!

As for your advice, I must agree with you completely.
I've had my computer for just over a decade and until recently it has been able to keep up with the constant increase in demand.

I'm pretty good about maintaining the computer, so much to the point I run my utilities about twice as often as yourself.
(Perhaps that's paranoia?)
But regardless of the use, my lovely desktop is nearing her end and will soon need a complete overhaul to continue advancing.

At this point I think I will likely be getting a new rig soon, but I wanted to start this one over so that I could use it for minor applications and the like.

I think it will make a decent starting computer for my pup(s).
Assuming the second one is as healthy as the first was.

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princeben07
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Joined: 06 Feb 2008
Posts: 86
Location: Geostratum Of Antiquity

PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:44 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For 16 years now, I have built, tested, scrapped, salvaged and repaired computers. There are a PLETHORA of programs that you can use to keep your baby up and running like it's brand new.

tips and trades:

1. Pre-packaged computers have JUNK programs that aren't worth a SHIT. Get rid of that you are NOT using.

2. Malwarebytes is the way to go. While it can't remove EVERYTHING until a reboot, it IS quite handy to have.

3. AVG 8.5. If you can FIND AVG 8.5 with the serial number that doesn't expire until 2018, get it. It has awesome protection even agains the malware that turns OFF your anti-virus software that my already be installed on your system

4. Seondary Hard Drives/External hard Drive/Flash Drives---ALL of these will be able to back up important data, system restore points and even entire backup drives if you have the space to do so.

5. Operating System---this is where alot of people get caught up in the Midst of things. Xp or Vista? Vista or Unbutu? Unbutu or Windows 7 Home Premium?

Listen up, ALL of these Operating Systems are FINE, it's just that when newer computers are made, you have to have a good OS that can support the frak* DRIVERS so the devices that were built onto the motherboard can fully function.

Now I'm not playing favorites, but I have Vista Black Edition 2009 for 4 of my home PC's and they run like the wind. For those of you who like Windows 7 because of ITS advanced Driver pack and security, go with it.
Windows XP with Service Pack 3 is the way to go for the old school users. Be sure to have a good anti-virus such as Macafee for Windows XP; Norton's Security Suite has too many vulnerabilities that will EXPOSE Xp to Redworm Viruses!!

Windows 98 Second Edition---yes, there are FEW people who still use old Win98. Just stay secure and since there are NO more updates for Win 98, you might want to think about upgrading to Win XP. ^_^

Mac Users: The Redworm can infect EVEN a Mac, so stop surfing on those porn sites, lol.

Windows Tiny XP Black Edition 2009:
This OS was kick-ass when it was first introduced in early 2009. It had a MONSTER driver pack, and can support almost ANY device you buy in the stores today. Most of the Universal drivers are included for even off-brand manufacturers like Mylex or LVD Inc. If you have a copy of this, then the driver packs included with it are quite the cat's meow.

If you have any more questions, just hit the furball up. ^_^

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hikaru
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Joined: 20 Nov 2000
Posts: 1581
Location: Kansas City, KS, USA

PostPosted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 9:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

As a last resort, you can use the "biggest gun" there is and try ComboFix. Just google it for downloading.

It can clean up stuff nothing else will, but it also has a chance to nuke your XP, so use it carefully.

Of course, don't forget to try rolling your system back to before the infection. You'd be amazed how often that works.

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mwalimu
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Joined: 08 Nov 2002
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Location: Normal, IL

PostPosted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 12:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Combofix works great - it was able to remove a rootkit that Malwarebytes was able to detect but unable to remove - but all of the instructions I can find online for Combofix include dire warnings about only using it under the guidance and supervision of a malware removal expert. It has commands for removing specific files, registry keys, and so forth, but I've been unable to locate instructions or any sort of online manual for these (apparently this information is only available to the aforementioned malware removal experts).
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princeben07
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Joined: 06 Feb 2008
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Location: Geostratum Of Antiquity

PostPosted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hijack This has the exact same functions as Combofix. =/
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mwalimu
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Joined: 08 Nov 2002
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Location: Normal, IL

PostPosted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 6:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

princeben07 wrote:
Hijack This has the exact same functions as Combofix. =/

HijackThis is a great tool for seeing what all is running on your computer, and should be one of the first tools to use when you suspect a malware infection. But it doesn't do any sort of malware cleanup/removal. It's up to you to figure out what doesn't belong there and how to get rid of it. If you're among the 99% of us who don't know what all that stuff is that it prints out, there are online HijackThis log analyzers that can be very helpful.

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Tora_Frogg
Divided by Zero


Joined: 05 Oct 2007
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Location: King George, VA

PostPosted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 9:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

mwalimu wrote:
there are online HijackThis log analyzers that can be very helpful.


Truth in advertising.

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princeben07
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PostPosted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 7:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You don't have to be a Malware Expert to KNOW how to remove Malware from your computer.

Out of all of the Malicious Software I've run into, there is NOT one single Malware that I CANNNOT remove.
70 percent of all malware perform the same boring function and its boring to ME. You'd think these hackers or programmers would have stepped up their game by now.

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Jaymee Fox
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Joined: 02 Jun 2003
Posts: 582
Location: USA

PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

haha, I once accidentally used the System Resort on my little Acer Aspire One laptop and I saw how it was like. It is really nice to use that if you want to make your laptop into factory setting. It's just a pain in the behind to download what you want and need. Those Aspire One laptop has no CD drive so I have external one and use it but again... pain in the behind to download everything from cds Very Happy
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Syrius
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Joined: 07 Sep 2006
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Location: The S.S. ScurvyDog, Arizona! YARR!

PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

princeben07 wrote:
You'd think these hackers or programmers would have stepped up their game by now.


They have, and at the same time they have not.

I got infected by a minor Rogue Cleaner program at work, thanks to a contaminated banner on a site accessible (and relevant to work) from our intranet.

Given I have no administrator access, you'd think this prevent any program like that from installing itself, right? No. This piece of crap was running itself from the temporary folder, permissions be damned.

However, it was all a matter of right-clicking the icon on the desktop, and finding where it pointed to. Kill the process, rename the executables, and flush them straight into the 12th Circle of Hell. (I got news that Satan has created this circle exclusively for people who make this kind of programs and online scammers.) It's own strength was its weakness.

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mwalimu
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PostPosted: Wed Dec 22, 2010 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had the joy of cleaning up a few malware infections in the past year. 15 years ago, fixing an infection was usually a matter of identifying the infected file and reverting or deleting it. Anymore the malware developers have gotten a lot trickier about making their stuff difficult to remove. Among the tricks I've encountered:
* Turning off the permissions on apps like task manager and registry editor;
* Associating their module with the .exe extension, so that when you try to run an executable file, it gets "opened" by their application, which will then block/deny execution of known anti-malware programs but will allow applications it considers "harmless".
* Making it more difficult to access anti-malware websites by:
** Modifying the hosts file
** Modifying the DNS information to point to a rogue domain name server
** Installing hidden add-ons and plugins to your browser
* Deleting restore points

Sorry to say, but the days when nearly all infections could be cleaned up with a run of your anti-virus program are gone. Now it takes a good deal of expertise and hacker mentality to clean up many malware infections.

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