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Posted by PA Bear [MS MVP] on July 21, 2008, 5:20 pm
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Your router includes a hardware firewall. You should have a software
firewall (e.g., the Windows Firewall) enabled, too.
Annie wrote:
> Thank you everyone for trying to help. This is just too overwhelming for
> me. I'm just going to take my computer in to the shop and have the
> reinstall the OS and I'll have to reinstall all my other programs.
>
> My router says it has a double firewall so I still don't know how all of
> this could've happened eventho that guy turned my Windows firewall off.
> Makes no sense to me.
>
> Thanks again. I hope all these posts help anyone else who has this
> problem
> and are a bit more experienced than myself.
>
> "Dan" wrote:
>
>> I am actually posting this reply via the 98 Second Edition side of my
>> computer which was not hacked in 2007 after the APS network was hacked
>> and
>> the XP Professional side was compromised, the 98 SE side rode through the
>> onslaught like a champ without noticing any problems despite the fact
>> that
>> it was hooked up to the Internet. This is my main reason for my debate
>> with Steve Riley but I will discuss that later in the appropriate topic
>> area of this newsgroup. Identity Theft is really terrible. I want to
>> rant and rave about my problems but will not redirect to help you.
>>
>> Okay, first come to grips with the worst case scenario although it might
>> not be the worst case, I feel it is better to get that over with first
>> and
>> then try not to worry. Secondly, make sure the compromised portion (XP
>> Home) side of the PC is not connected to the Internet. I figure we are
>> talking about a single operating system and do not have to deal with
>> Virtual Machines and or Dual or Tri-Boots. Please correct me if I am
>> wrong. Since the problem is with Windows XP Home then I certainly would
>> allow a copy of Windows Live One Care to attempt to fix the problem.
>> Unfortunately, for you this is a terrible scenario but it will be useful
>> for Microsoft and others to see how effectively Windows Live One Care can
>> fix your problem. This will make a great test case to see the
>> effectiveness of Windows Live One Care. Just so you all know, I enjoy
>> using Microsoft technology but will not limit myself to a single software
>> or hardware manufacturer. It must be all fully customized for me to meet
>> my needs and please sorry Annie but do not see me as insensitive since
>> your case may indeed help all users out.
>>
>> 1. Try to Install and Run Windows Live One Care --- use cd and make sure
>> your ethernet, usb or phone cord is not connected --- this is a critical
>> step as far as not being connected to the Internet with that machine or
>> at
>> least within the compromised operating system (I presume broadband ---
>> cable/dsl or narrowband if dial-up) ---- access me and others with
>> another
>> non-compromised machine at this Microsoft Newsgroup ---- Please let us
>> know the results and I will attempt to provide further assistant ---
>> Milo,
>> Steve Riley and others are welcome to add their feedback to this case as
>> well to help Annie.
>>
>> "Annie" wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you, Dan and Milo.
>>>
>>> So what is the next step? I'm not going to turn on that computer just
>>> yet. Where do I find the PE_Sality / PE_Patch at a safe site and should
>>> I
>>> download that first before anything else? Should I then run the
>>> programs
>>> Dan suggested...in that order?
>>>
>>> I'm running Windows XP Home edition on that computer.
>>>
>>> I checked my IP addresses per Shenan's advice, they're different. I
>>> tried
>>> to login as 'admin' and put the default password in. I then got a
>>> 'warning' screen' so just clicked cancel because I didn't know where
>>> that
>>> was going to take me. Could I have clicked OK and then just closed the
>>> next page had it submitted? I realize if I did go to the next page my
>>> password was 'not' changed from the default which is bad. I just didn't
>>> know where to take it from there.
>>>
>>> Thank you so much for your help.
>>>
>>> One more thing...if this was what Milo said it was..does someone out
>>> there
>>> have all my personal data (documents, photos, passwords, etc.).
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> "Dan" wrote:
>>>
>>>> Sorry, Shenan. I disagree. AVG Free 7.5 antivirus is a good program.
>>>> Unfortunately with Free AVG 8, the company apparently broke many of
>>>> their own rules and I cannot suggest AVG anymore unless a user is
>>>> running the legacy version with AVG 7.5 in which support supposedly is
>>>> ending in August.
>>>>
>>>> The reason is that AVG 8 has too many false positives on both my system
>>>> and my dad's machine when we tried it on XP Professional for me and XP
>>>> Home for him. I do not like to disagree with an MVP and please do not
>>>> jump down my throat and forgive me for stating my opinion. I am not
>>>> overly happy with Avast either if the user is using a 9x machine (such
>>>> as Windows 98 Second Edition) but if the machine is using a more modern
>>>> operating system such as Windows XP then I would suggest Microsoft's
>>>> antivirus of Windows Live One Care because I have not had issues with
>>>> it
>>>> so far except the stupid red notification it gives me because I do not
>>>> enable automatic updates since I enjoy reading about every security
>>>> update.
>>>>
>>>> "Shenan Stanley" wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Annie wrote:
>>>>>> Windows firewall and Zone Alarm firewall. Which one do you
>>>>>> recommend I keep on?
>>>>>
>>>>> Given that you are asking - the Windows Firewall will be more than
>>>>> sufficient and easier to use and keep updated.
>>>>>
>>>>> My Suggestion: Uninstall Zone Alarm completely and just utilize the
>>>>> built in Windows XP Firewall and an updated antivirus application.
>>>>> Occassionally run an AntiSpyware application to see if you have been
>>>>> infested with anything and/or purchase one. SuperAntiSpyware is a
>>>>> good
>>>>> free/for pay one. AVG AntiVirus is a good Free AV application (8.0).
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> Shenan Stanley
>>>>> MS-MVP
>>>>> --
>>>>> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
>>>>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
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