Alureon and my broken laptop

[SarahCali]

Ah, fantastic - YES will create Windiws repair disk. Anything for peace of mind!

My question about backing up wasn't to do with the virus, actually - I meant the method. Simply using Windiws Backup is OK? I was unsure, and earlier post said it wasn't good.

Am I now being too cheeky with questions, time for me to shut up? Thank you so much, again, for your help, and your patience.

 

[VistaKing]

There are Windows backup and there is others like online that you will have to pay a monthly fee . Windows backup should be fine . Hopefully you are backing up to an external not an internal device.

 

[whs]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with Vista King. The Windows backup facilities have been historically very flaky. For data backup I recommend a simple Copy/Paste action or use this (link below). Then you know at least what you have done and don't look into a black box.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/516-context-menu-add-copy-folder-move-folder.html

For system backup I suggest the free Macrium inmaging program. Here is a tutorial I made:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html?ltr=I

 

[Jacee]

If you're going to use Chrome, look at the settings and be careful about 'bundled' toolbars that will redirect your browser.

Click the 3 horizontal lines in the right corner icon on browser toolbar

Select Settings:
1. Select Basics ->Manage Search engines
2. Remove unnecessary search engines from list
3. Go back to settings. On Startup choose open blank page ( you can remove undesired pages from the set pages link too).

 

[SarahCali]

If you're going to use Chrome, look at the settings and be careful about 'bundled' toolbars that will redirect your browser.

Thank you, I will. Toolbars can be problematic, I'm learning?

Am I misunderstanding, or is Chrome not necessarily recommended? I prefer it just from habit, and it's simplicity - but I'm finding I'm incredibly nervous that this is all going to happen again (and the Redirect Virus, last time, only affected Chrome - my other browsers were OK). I don't think I can face a 3rd virus to be honest, I'll do whatever is recommended to best protect myself.

And thank you, all of you. So grateful for the forum.

 

[VistaKing]

Sarah ,

Think this way just cause it happened in Chrome doesn't mean it won't happen on IE or Firefox . Yes you don't need toolbars .

 

[Golden]

Sarah, the problem as VistaKing explained is that you can pick this up off any browser. I've been using Chrome for a while now and have never had problems. The basic rule is be ultra-cautious about what you click and what you install.

I would also suggest you consider imaging your system once you have it where you want it in a clean state - this is probably the best thing you can do from a protection standpoint. I use the free version of Macrium Reflect for that:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

If you don't want to physically install the software, you can run it from a standalone USB thumbdrive. All you need is the WinPE version - you can create it from an installed version of Macrium, but it requires a very large download. Alternatively, you can use this version I created which saves you the trouble of creating it (write it to USB to create and restore images):

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B6gVug1Gs-l1Rl9aWkFDRm81M1U/edit?usp=sharing

Regards,
Golden

 

[cottonball]

SarahCali,

In one of the reports you provided, there were some Java entries.
It is subject to vulnerabilities, and malware capitalizes on that.

To check where you stand in that area, please download Security Check:
http://screen317.spywareinfoforum.org/SecurityCheck.exe
Save to the Desktop.

Double-click SecurityCheck.exe and follow the onscreen instructions (on the black screen).
When done, a Notepad document opens automatically: checkup.txt

Please post the contents of checkup.txt in your reply.

 

[SarahCali]

Yessir (that's an awesome dog, btw!), run and file attached

 

[VistaKing]

Your java program is not up to date .

   Note

Current version is Java 7 Update 17

Java 7 Update 17 Download below


Download

 

[cottonball]

Java(TM) 6 Update 22
Java(TM) 6 Update 24
Java 7 Update 9
Java version out of Date!

Aha!

Please Verify Java Version and install: Java 7 Update 17
If not provided with a link at the website, use VistaKing's link.

Next, please go to Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features
Select any older version showing there, and uninstall each one.

Some info:
Cybercriminals using digitally signed Java exploits to trick users | PCWorld

 

[VistaKing]

Cottonball did I beat ya to the punch ? My bad

 

[cottonball]

No, VistaKing, you just saved me the time of looking up the download website!

I'm old, retired, tired, already been there, done that, and gained my advantages in life, so beating me to the punch does not matter.

Like in Aesop's Fable The Tortoise and the Hare, slow and steady wins the race...


My concern was seeing a group of outdated Java entries in one of the DDS reports. (Don't Do Squat - is what the letters stand for).

SarahCali does not want to have a magnet thrown inside a bucket of nails...

 

[SarahCali]

No Sir, she does not - sounds painful. Off to uninstall old Java now. I'm not clear why it did not do so automatically when updating, that seems insane. Is there a way to avoid this in the future?

 

[cottonball]

Why should I uninstall older versions of Java from my system?

Over time, you may have installed multiple versions of Java to run available Java content. In the past, each Java update was installed in a separate directory on your system. However, Java updates are now installed in a single directory.