Protecting Your Computer From Virus Attack

PROTECTION FROM COMPUTER VIRUSES

With the improvement of computers comes the improvement and sophistication of those who spend their time trying to ruin the lives of others through our computers. With the types of the software we use and the speed of information transmitted through downloads comes increasing threats from a malicious type of software called the “virus.” Not only does a virus make our computers sick, but receiving one can make any user feel as though they are about to lose their last meal as they realize someone has infected an important part of their life. It is like finding out someone has vandalized your car and you can’t get to work. Your computer may be the way you make money online.

There is no question that everyone needs to protect their computers from viruses, but can it be done without spending lots of money to buy anti-virus software and spending even more money in yearly subscription fees to keep the software up-to-date? In a word, yes!

There is one main thing you must do to keep your computer safe from viruses. You must have an anti-virus program installed on your computer. One of the best is available from ZONE ALARM, but first a few tips on safe computing that you should follow even with good automated anti-virus protection.

* Stay Up-to-date: This not only applies to your anti-virus software, but also your operating system, browser and email client. Most virus programmers take advantage of known security problems in your computer’s software or operating system. There is almost always a patch available for the software before viruses, that take advantage of the vulnerabilities, become widespread. If you use Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Office, Windows Update and Office Update respectively provide an easy way to keep up-to-date with security patches. Be sure to have your Microsoft update option set to automatically receive updates. As soon as they are available your computer will download them, which includes any patches that will protect your computer from a virus attack.

* Common Sense On The Internet: 99% of virus infections wouldn’t happen if the computer user would think about where they are surfing and use a little common sense. If you get an email you don’t recognize delete it instead of opening it to find out if it is junk. If a message comes from someone not on your mailing list, delete it. If you open it, do not click on any attachments unless you recognize the source. Even a normal looking one, that has an attachment you were not expecting to receive may have a virus attached to it. Don’t click on it to see what it is. Often, unsuspecting friends will forward emails they received, not knowing they were infected themselves with a virus that may not become active until a later date.

* Avoid Dangerous Surfing: Just like in the real world, if you go looking for trouble on the Internet, you will find it eventually. Don’t download music or movies from questionable sites like those with pirated software, hacker sites, porn sites, or sites that promise you software keys and other ways to break the law. Often the “hook” of giving you a pirated copy of the latest blockbuster movie is simply a way of having you download a virus.

* Don’t Use The Most Popular: Almost all viruses use flaws or features of Microsoft products. This is because virus programmers want to get the increase their percentage of success. The Microsoft browser is installed on almost every PC made today. That is why it is always under attack. Using alternative software, especially Web browsers and email programs will thwart most viruses. Mozilla is good choice for both Web browser and Thunderbird is a fine email client. Using a non-Microsoft operating system such as Linux can also be a good choice for some. Though Linux has a bit of a learning curve, it is far less likely to receive a computer virus. These measures won’t prevent all viruses but they will greatly improve your chances of not becoming infected with the most prevalent viruses.

Even with the safeguards above, it is still a good idea for most people to use good anti-virus software.

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I do not recommend McAfee or Norton Anti-virus programs. “Fee” being the operative word in MacAfee and it seldom plays nice with a computer. Numerous complaints abound about it’s performance and even it’s ability to protect a computer from viruses that it had time to update for. McAfee or Norton often comes free for a few months with new computer purchases, after which they automatically bill the owner. It is hardly worth the price when there is so much better available.

NEVER install two different anti-virus programs on your computer. Some people think that two is better than one. In certain instances that is true, but not with anti-virus programs. Installing two programs results in the programs seeing each other as a virus and basically fight to remove the other causing extensive operating problems. Should you wish to install a new anti-virus program, the existing one on the computer must be removed.

The Anti-Virus XP 2008 Virus
Though there are far too many viruses to list, one of the most common and easily confused by a computer user is the Anti-virus XP 2008 Virus. Also, it may appear as “2009″ rather than “2008.”

It is a nasty one because it seems so legitimate in it’s appearance.

You are surfing the Internet and you suddenly get a message about “Anti-virus XP 2008″. It is sometimes attached to a download of a codec pack that you are told is needed to view a video or picture.
(It may also be attached in a message that you need an ActiveX update)

The message states, “Microsoft has detected a virus on your computer.” You are told to click on something to begin the removal. Clicking as directed, you see a download of the “XP Anti-virus” program and may even see a supposed scan of your computer taking place. You happily let it proceed.

Congratulations. You just downloaded the virus. The result? It actually plants a constant image on a blue desktop (you lose your desktop image, if you have one) and a constant pop-up generates, telling you that a virus has been detected and directs you to a very good replica of a microsoft page that wants $50 – $100 for the Antivirus XP 2008 cure (depending on the package you purchase). It is a POS and also has to be removed.

The same SOB that planted the virus on your computer is the one selling you the removal program (which doesn’t remove the vrus and only further corrupts your computer).

Should you inadvertently, by mistake or otherwise, actually begin to download this virus IMMEDIATELY attempt to close your browser. If it fails to close, do a hard shut down of your computer. “Hard shut down” means physically turning off your computer using the power button. Normally, a hard shut down is not recommended, but this is a dire situation! You must prevent the download from completing. Hopefully, you will do so in time to prevent any infection from attachments sent to you.

Should you find your computer has been infected with the XP virus, perform these steps:

Please read carefully and perform at your own risk!

NOTE: When this was written, the current virus was the 2008. It is simply rewritten every year to change the date and redistributed. These instructions should work by simply looking for the current year in those files mentioned below, for removal.

HOW TO REMOVE THE XP 2008 VIRUS

First you need to stop the program from loading on startup. This is what you do to stop it:

Click “Start,” then, “run”

Type: msconfig

Go to Startup tab

Uncheck lphc35dj0e1an <—– These number/letters may be different

Uncheck rhc75dj0e1an <——- but will be similar to each other. Usually two that are very similar. These were taken from my computer.

Click: apply

Stop XP Antivirus 2008 Processes:

Access Processes by pressing Cont+Alt+Delete simultaneously (1 time)

(All below may or may not be present – stop any found)

vav.exe

XPAntivirus.exe

XPAntivirusUpdate.exe

xpa.exe

xpa2008.exe

Click: OK

Restart computer

Then you need to delete the main files this program uses. Delete the following files.

C:\windows\system32\lphc35dj0e1an.exe <—— Again, your .exe may be different than these!
C:\program files\rhc75dj0e1an\rhc75dj0e1an.exe

Also, do not forget to do a file and folder search… Find and Delete these XP Antivirus 2008: (may or may not be present)
xpa.exe
vav.exe
xpa2008.exe
XPAntivirus.exe
XPAntivirusUpdate.exe
XP antivirus
XPAntivirus.lnk
Uninstall XPAntivirus.lnk
XPAntivirus
on the Web.lnk
XPAntivirus.url
XP Antivirus 2008.lnk
Uninstall XP Antivirus 2008.lnk

This should remove the program from your system but you probably still have a warning message displayed as your wallpaper in Windows and the virus removed the ability to change the wallpaper or your desktop settings. To restore ability to change your desktop settings and select a different wallpaper and screen saver do the following: Click: Start->Run->type: regedit ->click “OK”

Open the following folders\subfolders in order:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\

CurrentVersion\Policies\System

“System” being the last sub-folder.

create new entries:

1) a REG_DWORD entry called: NoDispBackgroundPage

2) a REG_DWORD entry called: NoDispScrSavPage

As long as their values are both set to 0, your tabs will be back.

Restart Computer