"WEB CAKE 3.0" infection - HELP

Log looks good ...
First of all, we're going to uninstall ComboFix.

Click on the Start button, then select "Run" from the menu. This will open up the Run box.
Now type ComboFix /Uninstall in the runbox and click OK. Note the space between the X and the /, it needs to be there.
Reboot.

1. I dont mind spending 40 or even £50 (max) on antiviral software if it is significantly better than the free stuff.
2. Should I have something running all the time to stop malware as well as some AV software?
3. What else should I do by way of maintenance say once per week?
4. How often should all updates and scans be run? Every night at 4AM?

1. MSE and Windows Firewall is fine to use. It's your choice if you'd like to pay for a 'Security Suite'. (not Norton or McAfee, please!)
2. I already told you about SpywareBlaster ... scroll up. I feel it is quite a valuable application to have on your computer. Look for updates often!
If you want to buy Malwarebyte's Anti-malware to run in the background, then here is the page:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Protect, Detect & Remove Malware From Your PC
3. Keep TFC by Old Timer and run it!
4. Run scans when ever you want to.
You can keep track of 'critical' updates by using Secunia Personal Software Inspecter:
Secunia PSI Download

You should be good to go now ... delete all apps we had you download and saved to your desktop. Empty the recycle bin, set a "Clean" restore point:
Right click Computer, choose properties. On the left side pane, click "System Protection". Click on the the 'configure button'.
Now check "Turn off system protection"
Restart your computer
Now follow the above instructions, but uncheck "Turn off System Protection"

These past few days have cost me a LOT in lost earnings. So I am determined to make sure I do not get infected again even if it costs me a bit of money to do so.

> 1. MSE and Windows Firewall is fine to use. It's your choice if you'd like to pay for a 'Security Suite'.
> (not Norton or McAfee, please!)
For now I have left MSE in place but:
a) Out of interest why then do you use Avira?
b) What's the deal with zipped files. MSE doesnt seem to complain about them - is it even checking them?
Would you definitely recommend MSE over AVAST?
c) Is the reason why MSE never seems to catch anything (whereas BitDefender found loads) because BitDefender is looking for malware/adware whereas MSE is looking for actual viruses?

> 2. I already told you about SpywareBlaster ... scroll up. I feel it is quite a valuable application to
> have on your computer. Look for updates often!
I have installed this.

> If you want to buy Malwarebyte's Anti-malware to run in the background, then here is the page:
> Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Protect, Detect & Remove Malware From Your PC
For now I have bought a copy of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
But is this an OR situation - i.e. should I definitely not do both?

> 3. Keep TFC by Old Timer and run it!
Done.
But how often should I run it - weekly?

> 4. Run scans when ever you want to.
You mean the anti-viral scans.
In practice I imagine that most people wait until there seems to be a problem (e.g. the PC is behaving strangely or slowly) before running most of these manual scans. But how often would be reasonable to run these things as a preventative measure - every week? every 2 weeks?

> You can keep track of 'critical' updates by using Secunia Personal Software Inspecter:
> Secunia PSI Download
Yes I have installed this too - brilliant!

What about AdwCleaner?
It seem to have been the only thing to clean up most of the problems I had. Should I keep running that occasionally too?

BitDefender certainly seems have picked up a lot of "Threats" that MSE failed to spot. Mostly these seem to be email attachments. Why would this be? And what would be the reason why do people here persist in recommending MSE in light of this?

Thank you for all your input.

ship691 Good job following Jacee's instruction and getting your computer clean!

You can run all the utilities, except Combofix on your other hard drives and XP.

Run Malwarebytes' right along with MSE and SpywareBlaster. Also make sure that you've clicked "Enable All Protection" in SpywareBlaster.

AdwCleaner is always adding new definitions to it's data base, so delete the old one and download a fresh copy when you feel like scanning.

I've used Avira for many years and I've just stuck with it. Of course I'm pretty careful ...but I haven't had an infection in 13 years. (knock on wood now that I've said that )