Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Spy ware removal method

A Spyware therefore:
Attaches itself to your operating system surreptitiously
In a way takes control over your interaction with your machine.
What Spywares can do?

As the name suggests spywares primarily intrude on your privacy, intercept personal information like usernames and passwords, fill your hard drive with useless gunk and mark you as a target for enterprising advertisers। These programs can perform any task they are designed to do। From collecting your personal information to installing additional software to redirecting Web browser activity to even changing your firewall, Internet and other computer settings, spywares can virtually monitor everything that you do on your computer। Sometimes associated with identity thefts and frauds, these infectious programs can also generate endless pop-up ads, resulting in slow connection speeds। How your computer contracts
Spywares get onto your machine by exploiting security flaws or system vulnerabilities or simply by deceiving you।Following are some of the methods how these malicious infections find way to your computer।
Piggybacking Spywares can install themselves on your computer when you install a piece of desirable software without noticing that you are getting more than the file-sharing application you wanted. Drive-by downloadDrive-by downloads happen without slightest of your knowledge when you visit a web site, view an email message or just click an innocuous looking deceptive pop up window।The malicious codes can also download themselves by exploiting Web browsing, email client or operating system bugs or flaws even without your intervention। onsBrowser add
Browser add-ons are software bundles that allow the user to add enhancements to your Web browser। Sometimes they also include elements of spyware। Nastier add-ons are cidered browser hijackers that persistently stick to your machine and take a lot of efforts to cleanse।Sometimes spywares pose themselves as spyware removal software and as you install them on your machine they start installing additional spyware।

How to obtain computer virus and security-related support loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation'); For United States and Canada loadTOCNode(3, 'moreinformation'); The computer safety team is available for computer virus and for other security-related support 24 hours a day in the United States and in Canada.

To obtain computer virus and security-related support, follow these steps: Before you contact a support engineer, make sure that you run updated antivirus software and updated spyware removal software on the infected computer.

For more information about how to obtain a free computer safety scan, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
  • (http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?s_cid=sah)
For more information about antispyware software, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

How to protect your computer against viruses

How to protect your computer against viruses loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation'); To protect your computer against viruses, follow these steps: On the computer, turn on the firewall.Keep the computer operating system up-to-date.Use updated antivirus software on the computer.Use updated antispyware software on the computer. For more information about how to protect a computer against viruses, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/default.mspx

Symptoms that may be the result of ordinary Windows functions load

Symptoms that may be the result of ordinary Windows functions loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation'); A computer virus infection may cause the following problems: Windows does not start even though you have not made any system changes or even though you have not installed or removed any programs.There is frequent modem activity. If you have an external modem, you may notice the lights blinking frequently when the modem is not being used. You may be unknowingly supplying pirated software.Windows does not start because certain important system files are missing. Additionally, you receive an error message that lists the missing files.The computer sometimes starts as expected. However, at other times, the computer stops responding before the desktop icons and the taskbar appear.The computer runs very slowly. Additionally, the computer takes longer than expected to start.You receive out-of-memory error messages even though the computer has sufficient RAM.New programs are installed incorrectly.Windows spontaneously restarts unexpectedly.Programs that used to run stop responding frequently. Even if you remove and reinstall the programs, the issue continues to occur.A disk utility such as Scandisk reports multiple serious disk errors.A partition disappears.The computer always stops responding when you try to use Microsoft Office products.You cannot start Windows Task Manager.Antivirus software indicates that a computer virus is present.Note These problems may also occur because of ordinary Windows functions or problems in Windows that are not caused by a computer virus.How to remove a computer virus loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation'); Even for an expert, removing a computer virus can be a difficult task without the help of computer virus removal tools. Some computer viruses and other unwanted software, such as spyware, even reinstall themselves after the viruses have been detected and removed. Fortunately, by updating the computer and by using antivirus tools, you can help permanently remove unwanted software.

To remove a computer virus, follow these steps: Install the latest updates from Microsoft Update on the computer.Update the antivirus software on the computer. Then, perform a thorough scan of the computer by using the antivirus software. Download, install, and then run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool to remove existing viruses on the computer. To download the Malicious Software Removal Tool, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx (http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx) For more information about how to remove a computer virus, visit the following Microsoft Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/viruses/remove.mspx
Strange sounds or music plays from the speakers unexpectedly.A program disappears from the computer even though you did not intentionally remove the program.Note These are common signs of infection। However, these signs may also be caused by hardware or software problems that have nothing to do with a computer virus. Unless you run the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, and then you install industry-standard, up-to-date antivirus software on your computer, you cannot be certain whether a computer is infected with a computer virus or not.Symptoms of worms and trojan horse viruses in e-mail messages loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation'); When a computer virus infects e-mail messages or infects other files on a computer, you may notice the following symptoms: The infected file may make copies of itself. This behavior may use up all the free space on the hard disk.A copy of the infected file may be sent to all the addresses in an e-mail address list.The computer virus may reformat the hard disk. This behavior will delete files and programs.The computer virus may install hidden programs, such as pirated software. This pirated software may then be distributed and sold from the computer.The computer virus may reduce security. This could enable intruders to remotely access the computer or the network.You receive an e-mail message that has a strange attachment. When you open the attachment, dialog boxes appear, or a sudden degradation in system performance occurs.Someone tells you that they have recently received e-mail messages from you that contained attached files that you did not send। The files that are attached to the e-mail messages have extensions such as .exe, .bat, .scr, and .vbs extensions.

Artical

This article discusses the following:How to determine whether your computer is infected with a computer virus, a worm, or a trojanHow to recover from an infectionHow to prevent future infections from a computer virus
What is a computer virus? loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation'); A computer virus is a small software program that spreads from one computer to another computer and that interferes with computer operation. A computer virus may corrupt or delete data on a computer, use an e-mail program to spread the virus to other computers, or even delete everything on the hard disk.
Computer viruses are most easily spread by attachments in e-mail messages or by instant messaging messages। Therefore, you must never open an e-mail attachment unless you know who sent the message or unless you are expecting the e-mail attachment. Computer viruses can be disguised as attachments of funny images, greeting cards, or audio and video files. Computer viruses also spread by using downloads on the Internet. Computer viruses can be hidden in pirated software or in other files or programs that you may download.Symptoms of a computer virus loadTOCNode(2, 'moreinformation'); If you suspect or confirm that your computer is infected with a computer virus, obtain the current antivirus software. The following are some primary indicators that a computer may be infected: The computer runs slower than usual.The computer stops responding, or it locks up frequently.The computer crashes, and then it restarts every few minutes.The computer restarts on its own. Additionally, the computer does not run as usual.Applications on the computer do not work correctly.Disks or disk drives are inaccessible.You cannot print items correctly.You see unusual error messages.You see distorted menus and dialog boxes.There is a double extension on an attachment that you recently opened, such as a .jpg, .vbs, .gif, or .exe. extension.An antivirus program is disabled for no reason. Additionally, the antivirus program cannot be restarted.An antivirus program cannot be installed on the computer, or the antivirus program will not run.New icons appear on the desktop that you did not put there, or the icons are not associated with any recently installed programs.

Choosing an Antivirus Software:

Antivirus software is one of the most important things you should have on your system. Many PC’s come with this software pre-installed, but you should still take a few moments to familiarize yourself with it. There are many available antivirus programs currently on the market. Here, I’ve compiled some of the best retail and free antivirus solutions for you.

Mcafee antivirus

(Retail) – McAfee provides a great antivirus solution. This US based company is maybe the oldest antivirus development company in the world, and in this area experience is king, especially when you’re dealing with high-tech menaces.

Norton antivirus

(Retail) – Norton Antivirus, commonly known as Symantec Antivirus, is one of the best antivirus solutions available, even though it’s also one of the “heaviest”, meaning your system may run slower after installing it, specially if you haven’t upgraded lately.
Avast antivirus

(Free!) – Avast Antivirus is a lightweight and free (for home use) solution. They are a newer company but have gained much ground because their software is free and easy to use.
AVG

(Free!) – Much like Avast, AVG is a light, easy to manage antivirus package, automatically updated, and provides maybe the best shield protection you may need, without even noticing its presence.
What to Do if You Think You Have a Virus
If your computer is running unusually slow, complaining with lots of errors, random reboots, blue error screens, or tons of pop-up windows – chances are good that you have picked up some spyware or a virus.
In this case it’s better to stop and think before acting.
What should you do?
Stop all your work, close all your files and opened windows.
Run your antivirus software to make sure it is operable; do this even before updating it with the latest virus definitions.
Update your antivirus with the newest virus definitions and run it again.
If your system is still complaining, check it for spyware .
Don’t, in any case, start deleting files and programs as you’re likely to cause even more harm. This is a good time to backup all your data if you don’t have any backups already. Even if you back up data infected with a virus, there is a good chance that it can be recovered and this will spare you from loosing important files if your first effort to identify and remove the virus fails.

virus types

Resident Viruses

This is a type of virus that hides in your computer’s RAM memory, controlling and intercepting operations carried out by the system, these are often used to capture passwords and credit card numbers and can corrupt files and programs.

Direct Action Viruses

The main purpose of this virus is to replicate and take action when it is executed. When a specific condition is met, the virus will go into action and infect files in the directory or folder that it is in and in directories that are specified in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file PATH. This batch file is always located in the root directory of the hard disk and carries out certain operations when the computer is booted.

Overwrite Viruses

When this type of virus infects a file, it deletes all of the information contained within that file and then copies itself into it. In other words, these will gut your files and then wear their clothes. Files infected with this type of virus become useless and can’t be recovered without restoring a previous backup.

Boot Virus

This type of virus affects the boot sector of a floppy or hard disk. This is a crucial part of a disk, in which information on the disk itself is stored together with a program that makes it possible to boot (start) the computer from the disk.

Macro Viruses

Certain programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and Powerpoint have the ability to use small ‘helper’ programs to extend their functionality and automate repetitive tasks. These ‘helper’ programs are known as macros and scripts and are stored in the document files instead of the main program. A macro virus is simply a virus that hides out in these files and waits for you to open them with their respective programs – which then run the virus.

Different Types of Computer Viruses

There are Different Types of Computer Viruses could be classified in (origin, techniques, types of files they infect, where they hide, the kind of damage they cause, the type of operating system or platform they attack) etc. Let us have a look at them…

Computer Virus is a kind of malicious software written intentionally to enter a computer without the user’s permission or knowledge, with an ability to replicate itself, thus continuing to spread. Some viruses do little but replicate others can cause severe harm or adversely effect program and performance of the system. A virus should never be assumed harmless and left on a system. Most common types of viruses are mentioned below: Resident Viruses This type of virus is a permanent which dwells in the RAM memory. From there it can overcome and interrupt all of the operations executed by the system: corrupting files and programs that are opened, closed, copied, renamed etc. Examples include: Randex, CMJ, Meve, and MrKlunky.

Antivirus download problems and solutions

What are Computer Viruses?

Computer viruses are small programs that hide inside of your computer and then replicate themselves in some fashion in order to spread to other computers. With the internet connecting so many computers to one another, and our propensity to share many of our files with other people, we unknowingly transmit to other computers viruses that have infected our own files. Depending on the design of the virus, once it reaches a computer, it can do almost anything from deleting and corrupting your files, to disabling your computers security measures to make it more vulnerable to a hacker.