XP issue!!!

[Chiquito]

Hi, I do not know exactly where this question goes so here goes! I am running win XP and I downloaded Avast antivirus, and on installation it asks if you want it to search for downloads automatically, and I always uncheck it so it doesn't. So now after I boot up and I am not connected to the internet my net work connections window keeps coming up about every two minuetes with the little message that I or some software asked to be connected to the internet so which connection do I want to use. And its driving me nuts,I keep thinking I downloaded a little gnome and Its hiding in my computer just messing with me!!!
I would appreciate any good advice or suggestions,Thank you Chiquito!!!

[J1978]

Hi there,

Well it surely sounds like spyware/malaware..I would suggest scannig with

Adware and spybot.

good luck.

[rjfvillarosa]

Can you post the full specifications of your machine, and what type of internet connection do you have?

[Chiquito]

http://forum.pcmech.com/images/icons/icon10.gif
I tried that and got quite a surprise, I have Zone Alarm,SE Ad-ware,Spy Sweeper, Spybot, and two avg,s and even though I have been to any adult sites on this OS,it was loaded with ad-ware and ----. The thing is that I don't know how to manually turn it off, that is what bothers me. As my machine goes its an AMD, 2400 XP on a 6712 MSI mobo. I have Windows XP,home and Widows 98,2000 and on the other hard drive Simply Mepis(Linux). One gig of memory. C/D burner and DVD burner,two 80 gig hard drives,one floppy,four usb,four usb 2.0,four firewire. I guess thats about it. I hope that helps,Chiquito!!! Almos forgot Dsl!!!

[rjfvillarosa]

Unless you unplug the cat5 cable from the modem, with DSL you are always connected to the internet. I would allow auto update on all of your antivirus and spyware programs, you should make sure they are all upto date at the moment and then run all of the scans in safemode, once you have done this should the problem still occur then read the sticky thread in securities on HighJackThis and post back here with a HJT report.

[Chiquito]

How do you use these utilities in safe mode? I have Highjack This but you are going too laugh, I start to laugh everytime I think of what happened. The first time I got HJT I reaaly felt good cause I was going to get all the bad ware, well I started to run it and I smugly sat back while I was watching it do its thing,when it was done did I get a surprise. It not only got the ad-ware but completely wiped out all my files and graphics. What I did not understand was that with HJT and the Bazzoka Scanner you have to tell it what _not_ to get. I mean it was clean there was nothing left. I do not know how to or what to tell the HJT not to get because I am not knowledgeable enough to distingish good or bad files. I'm still LOL!!! I do want to say thank you to all of you for your assistance,Chiquito!!!

[sataraid0]

Ok, try this, setup Avast to scan for viruses upon bootup and reboot your machine and see if it finds anything, its pretty good at it.

Then, after that run all your ad aware spy ware programs to see if you can catch whatever it is.

That should do it for you. I use Avast for antivirus, ad aware, pest patrol, spy bot and just to keep them out in the first place try spyware guard and spyblaster ( I use both of them) and very rarely get spyware. Both are free also.

Regards............................Sterling

[sataraid0]

When you 1st boot up the computer push F8 and a screen will appear, choose safe mode and it will continue booting, after it finishes run your spyware programs.

........................Sterling

[Chiquito]

Rjfvillarosa, I always unplug the DSL moden,or I take the cable out. Thank you!
SataraidO, thank you also, I never understood safemode untill now. I booted up in safemode and ran all the programs, got a lot of spyware. What amazes me is I don't go to any porno sites,but I was full of spy ware. The funny thing is after I done that I ran AVG and it came out clean,then I ran Avast and it got some virus, so it ask what I wanted to do with it and I said delete and repair so then it started a system scan that took over an hour,for six gigs, and while it was still running another big window comes up showing more virus, js class, whatever that is and it says an error occured,thats all I could see. I tried to move the window with the mouse and the whole window and I mean everything on the desktop was frozen! The only thing I could was restart manually.Now it runs better,I just couldn't understand what happened!!! Any ideas? Chiquito!!!

[sataraid0]

Chiquito, so glad it runs better now. Don't know why it took an hour to run, but if it worked, good. One thing, if you have AVG and Avast both installed, it is not a good idea. Would suggest uninstalling AVG and just using Avast. You don't have to run Avast on boot every time. Just a normal scan, perhaps once or twice a week should keep things clean. Avast will update virus definitions automatic every day. If you have your audio turned on, you will hear the message, Avast has succesfully updated virus definitions, once a day. lol Kinda startles you the 1st time you hear it.

Also, unfortunately, porn sites are not the only place you can get viruses. Porn sites are the worst along with anything Warez or running peer to peer aps. Like sharing files and most usually the music sharing programs. So stay away from these also if you can.

Here are some other spy ware programs you should also have on your computer:
These are guards to prevent the insertion of spyware in the 1st place.

They are called spywareguard and spywareblaster. Just type them in a google search to find them and download and install. You also have to update them from time to time as with all of this stuff.

Hope this helps and glad you were able to find the viruses.........Sterling

[Chiquito]

Hi and thank you sataraidO, being a windows product my elation was short lived. I remembered where I pickup the virus or spyware, I had gone to Mozilla.org and downloaded a new skin for Firefox,sort of doing you car, and it was so successfull that I went back to get one for Mozilla Sr. But this time I was directed to a private site. Thats where I got it because thats when it started acting different. #1 Avast freezes up when it gets to the virus and won't move, thats when I have to reboot manually. #2 Now I get that famous window on boot up that states "windows has recovered from a serious error would like to send the information now". So now I think I have to download another anti-virus and or reinstall XP. I just went through this a month ago and before that a month ago. The other thing for your info only is that the control or user panel in AVG is more user friendly or easier than Avast. Also since you seem very knowledgeable I am going to ask you a lot of questions if thats allright with you, and thank you again, Saquear!!!

[sataraid0]

Hmmm, Saquear, very interesting. Good that you remember where you got the virus from. Yes, AVG interface is a little easier to use.

I would uninstall Avast. Then run a fresh copy of it and see what it picks up. However, before doing that, try going to Trend Micro and let them do a free scan to see what they come up with. If they come up with nothing, then do this...........................go to system restore and disable it then reboot and run AVG or Avast which ever you like the best and see if they pick up the virus, if they do, then take appropriate action. After that dont forget to reactivate system restore again. That should do it. Just in case, to get to system restore go to start, programs, accessories, system tools etc.

Yes, feel free to ask anytime, thanks. Dont know everything of course but willing to share what I have as are all here at PCMech.

Hope this helps......................Sterling

[rjfvillarosa]

Have a read of this thread and maybe it will shed some light on "safemode and system restore" for you.
http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=115633
If you don't know where to find trendmicro that Sata pointed you to, here is a link, http://housecall.trendmicro.com this is a very good online scanner, just follow the instructions, and if it asks you, download the java, it is required to run the application.