How to check what ports are open when on network?

karlsnooks said:

deepakumar,

I'll let you on a little tidbit of info.

The majority of us answering questions here--run, maybe once a month, maybe once a quarter, maybe only once but we run MalwareBytes.

Then we use for our virus/spyware/malware protection the best there is which is also free, namely, Microsoft Security Essentials.

Here's the draconian approach I use to clean up computer. This approach has never failed me.

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ANTI-VIRUS - VIRUS and MALWARE REMOVAL / PROTECTION
1. Download MalwareBytes. Malwarebytes Malwarebytes
2. Disconnect from the Internet.
3. Disable your present antivirus software and firewall.
4. Remove your present antivirus software and firewall.
5. Install and run the MalwareBytes Quick Scan (remove any bad guys). 3min 29secs on my laptop.
6. Reconnect to Internet.
7. Update MalwareBytes.
8. Run malwarebytes quick scan again.(remove any bad guys). 3min 38secs on my laptop.
9. Run MalwareBytes full scan. 16min 8secs on my laptop. With large,full disk ~2hours.
A. Disable your present antivirus software and firewall
B. Remove your present antivirus software
C. Download Microsoft Security Essentials.
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/
D. Run Microsoft Security Essentials. Quick Scan - ~8 min on my laptop.
E. Run Microsoft Security Essentials. Full Scan - ~ 1hr 50 min on my laptop.
Now I advise you to uninstall MalwareBytes and only install again when and if you need it.
Why?, you ask. Leaving MalwareBytes installed slowed my system. AutoRuns showed MalwareBytes processes running even after exiting from MalwareBytes.
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Thank you for this lovely FYI......i don't have Malwarebytes but get 1 now MSSE is whats on my laptop too...now when you say remove antivirus/firewall do you mean that i uninstall them or close them from Task Mgr???...normally my usage of internet is limited & i love to experiment so i keep installing & downloading software very oftenly ....that's why i guess i need antivirus,a firewall & a malwarebytes....
but a question for u since r also using MSSE: MSSE has a malware along with the antivirus then why another malware apps.???

More technically correct: Remove all av type software except for MSE. MSE and MalwareBytes play together very well and that isn't an accident.

When you install MSE, then unless you've installed something else to cause problems, then Windows Firewall has been correctly configured and you will automatically be prompted to download and install the Malicious Software Removal tool every month as an update comes out. MSE will be protecting you against any new viruses and malware coming down the pike. MalwareBytes is going to make sure that even ancient malware and viruses are removed from your computer.

Incidentally, after an initial run of MalwareBytes and the keeping MSE up-to-date, MalwareBytes has never found anything further on any system where I've followed this procedure. It's only when people get creative and want to think out of the box (such things as not running UAC all of the way up, disabling MSE, installing some super-duper anti-something software-when they install tell MS to let the program do things which a program shouldn't do-that they get in trouble again.

Hahahahaa i liked your comments : "It's only when people get creative and want to think out of the box (such things as not running UAC all of the way up, disabling MSE, installing some super-duper anti-something software-when they install tell MS to let the program do things which a program shouldn't do-that they get in trouble again." yeah u r right on that. so if i got u correctly then MSSE should be there but i still want to know should i disable my firewall or uninstall it because by doing so i'll lose all my updates that goes for MSSE as well when i did a System Restore couple of weeks ago i lost 3 months update & last update was 1/5/2010 when i restored the most recent point couple of days old . i was puzzled & i also want to know can i do a restore in Safe Mode or no???

Is MSSE the same thing as MSE?

If yes, then follow the directions. MSE will turn on Windows Firewall. If you use MSE, if you run the UAC slider all of the way up, then you should have no problems. I also use Firefox as a browser and use the NoScript add-on.


Just remember to first run MalwareBytes to "clean house".

Uninstalling a firewall is not going to mess anything up unless your firewall is a virus itself. Run MalwareBytes first.

A firewall simply blocks/permits certain addresses (aka ports in this case).

You don't use SystemRestore to remove a program.

Control Panel | Programs and Features | right-click on the program you want to uninstall | choose Remove or Uninstall. Some programs use different names.

karlsnooks said:

Uninstalling a firewall is not going to mess anything up unless your firewall is a virus itself. Run MalwareBytes first.

A firewall simply blocks/permits certain addresses (aka ports in this case).

You don't use SystemRestore to remove a program.

Control Panel | Programs and Features | right-click on the program you want to uninstall | choose Remove or Uninstall. Some programs use different names.

@ karlsnooks i didn't used System Restore to uninstall any program i tried a new theme for win7 & that messed up things for me so i have to do a System restore but then i lost all my updates for MSSE (Microsoft Security Essentials)...thats why i want to make sure that we are on the same page because i dont want to lose my updates for firewall & MSSE otherwise its HELL because of network connectivity & it takes almost 7-9 hours to get them back....so before running Malwarebytes i should just disable my firewall & av, is that correct???? or complete uninstall them????

By following the sequence precisely as given then there is no danger.
Remember, that MSE will turn on Windows Firewall.

If you already have MSE installed, then you can leave MSE installed since MalwareBytes and MSE are compatible and non-interfering with each other.

Ok