[Resolved] Popups and Redirects

[milestone121]

Well ok if there is something wrong in command prompt, then I am ok with fixing that too. Also there is something else I want you to check if its ok. I get this weird screen when I use google chrome which is the browser I always use. I never checked if it happens in other browsers. I want to know if something creates this problem. It doesn't happen always but at random rare times in a day depending on how much time is spent using internet from my browser. And whenever this weird screen within the browser happens I just move the scroll bar, it goes away. I want to post a screenshot of it next time I see it. Can you tell how to post the screenshot here? I don't know what the safety procedures are to post a screen shot here. You know like we do the notepad attachments in zipped up folders, I don't know the safe way to getting screenshots to you. I hope there is a way to do it. Its kinda hard to describe the screen, its like a greenish orange gradient in many boxes that appear all the screen of my google chrome browser. Once I get the weird screen again I will save a screenshot of it and wait for your reply with instructions to how to post it here, and I will get back to you tomorrow with it if I get the weird screen again by tomorrow. It may not be a serious issue. But I just want to check it out just in case because I never got that issue before. I tried uninstall and reinstall google chrome. But I still rarely get the screen appearing. So again next time I get the screen I will get back to you. Thanks that last response made me feel better that the fixes are going good.

[milestone121]

Also how can I fix the ERUNDT error whenever I open my computer to the desktop. Whether it has to do with resetting registry or watever it is. And what should I do about the system.evtx, application.evtx and LocalMetaData files and folders on my desktop. Do I just delete them or something? I wanna get rid of the unwanted files and folders that I had generated since getting help from you. I don't want my C: drive and desktop clogged with these weird and unneeded files and folders. Please gimme instructions to do to undo or get rid of the things that I had to get since getting help from you. Thanks!

[Hoov]

For the ERUNDT problem, uninstall ERUNT. system.evtx, application.evtx and LocalMetaData can be deleted.

Other than that, Run OTC. it should get rid of most of the files and folders and programs you are worried about.
Download OTC to your desktop and run it
Click Yes to beginning the Cleanup process and remove these components, including this application.
You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process. Choose Yes.

If something is left over, let me know.

Now for posting screenshots, use the snipping tool in windows 7. Save it as a jpg, the file is smaller. To actually post it, if you hit reply to post your response, there is a Additional Options near the bottom of the text window on the left side. Click on that and you can browse to the file you want to attach.

I am looking into the command prompt issue. It does not affect you using your computer, so go ahead and use it as needed. Just let me know if you have to install anything.

[milestone121]

Okay I did OTC and it cleared up most things. So when can I reinstall Microsoft Security Essentials?

[Hoov]

Right now.

[milestone121]

This is the annoying screen I get a couple of times a day while using google chrome. Again, I never use the other browsers like firefox and internet explorer that I have, so I don't if this can happen similarly in those browsers. Once it shows up I just move the scroll bar and it goes away. And no other strange thing happens besides that screen. Don't know if it is a harmful thing and don't know how to stop it because I don't how to search a   problem like this on internet. No idea how to search it up. Here is the screenshot I finally got a chance to screenshot it using paint.

[Hoov]

You are not alone. I found this, ]this and ]this.

I suspect that you either need to go back one version, or wait until the next version comes out. But it is not your fault or the fault of your computer.

[milestone121]

Okay Thanks! Microsoft Security Essentials is running fine now. Thanks for clearing up my malware issues. So now I guess I will wait till you can figure out the command prompt issues although its not so serious. And also any other final cleanups before this thread is resolved as you said. Thanks Again! 

[Hoov]

I have been going back over your thread to try and pinpoint a way to fix what might or might not be a problem. Unfortunately I do not see a way to proceed other than reinstalling windows. But if the computer is running fine, there is no reason to do a reinstall just to fix something you do not use except when repairing the affects of an infection.

So unless you get an infection that is unrecoverable from (hopefully you will not) I have a prescription for you and your computer. Make sure to keep your personal information backed up. Backup anything you cannot afford to loose. Personally I also keep a copy of all the current software that I have downloaded.  Then the next time you have a problem and you just cannot get it fixed, reinstall windows. But for now there is no reason to do the reinstall, unless you have the time to do it and want to do it.


If you don't want to , there are a few thing's you need to do to fully clean your system and keep it secure.

Run OTC
Download OTC to your desktop and run it
Click Yes to beginning the Cleanup process and remove these components, including this application.
You will be asked to reboot the machine to finish the Cleanup process. Choose Yes.

Cleaning out Temporary Files etc. There are several different products that you can use for this. You can go thru the Internet Options in the windows Control Panel. There are several programs that also do the job better than windows does it, in my opinion. There is System Security Suite, EasyCleaner, Ccleaner. Also sometimes other program sometimes do it as well as what you originally got it for like ZoneAlarm Security Suite. Just make sure to keep them updated and use them regularly.

Disable and Enable System Restore.
I recommend you turn off System restore, and then turn it back on so that you will not be able to restore your problems to a clean computer.
For Vista use these instructions, Windows Vista Restore Guide
For XP use these instructions, Windows XP System Restore Guide
Reboot
Re-enable system restore with instructions from tutorial above
Create a System Restore Point
Go to all programs, then to accessories, then to system tools, then to system restore. Check the box for create restore point (not select a restore point), then click next and follow the instructions.

Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions: (unless you are using ZoneAlarm Security Suite or something similar, then you would secure the browser thru the firewall). There are some good basic instructions for that here.

Use a different browser other than  IE (most exploits are pointed towards IE). One of them is
Firefox.
It is also worth trying Thunderbird for controlling spam in your e-mail.

Always use an UPDATED anti-virus program Make sure you update this at least weekly, if not more often. This is one thing that may save you more than anything else.

Run malware scanners. Three free ones are Spybot Search and Destroy, and AdAware and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware

Always use a firewall.
Any firewall is better than none, and you should pick a firewall that you will use, as even the best firewall is worthless if you turn it off.
 
Learn how to use your firewall Only programs that need it should have access to the net. But these are specific to the firewall you use, so you will need to learn how. Several firewalls have support forums here. My page will help you with ZoneAlarm if that is what you choose. 


Never run two Antivirus programs or two Firewalls  at the same time. They can interfere with each other and cause problems. Some people swear that more protection is provided, but the reverse is true. They tend to argue amongst themselves and end up leaving holes. Now I have more than 1 AV installed on my computer, and I keep them up to date. I only run one at a time, but each program has weakness's, so I keep a backup in case my computer starts acting up.


 MOST IMPORTANT : Windows and IE, and whatever other software that you have that connects to the net, needs to be kept updated. The reason is, these programs connect to the net, and if there is an internal security problem, you have already told your firewall to allow the communication, and thus you will have allowed a hole. UPDATES are important. I suggest that you make sure that Windows Updates and the updates for your antivirus and antimalware programs are set for automatic updates. I also suggest running Secunia PSI. It will monitor the software you have installed and let you know when something needs to be updated.

Don't ever use P2P or filesharing software Even the safest P2P file sharing programs that do not contain bundled spyware, still expose you to risks because of the very nature of the P2P file sharing process. By default, most P2P file sharing programs are configured to automatically launch at startup. They are also configured to allow other P2P users on the same network open access to a shared directory on your computer. The reason for this is simple. File sharing relies on its members giving and gaining unfettered access to computers across the P2P network. However, this practice can make you vulnerable to data and identity theft. Even if you change those risky default settings to a safer configuration, the act of downloading files from an anonymous source greatly increases your exposure to infection. That is because the files you are downloading may actually contain a disguised threat. Many very malicious worms and trojans, such as the Storm Worm, target and spread across P2P files sharing networks because of their known vulnerabilities.

Before using any malware detection / removal software Check with Rogue/Suspect Spyware List That way you will know if the program you are looking at is on the up and up. If you want to know how it stacks up against other programs check out SpywareWarrior

We have a good guide here at Spyware Hammer on how to prevent Malware in the Future. You might want to peruse this and follow the recommendations in there.
PLEASE READ IT AND FOLLOW THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

Let us know if you have any more problems, either new or old.
Have a good time surfing the net, but stay safe.
If you have no more problems, let me know and I will mark this as resolved. Or if you have more questions, ask away, that is why I am here. And if at some time in the future, you want to reinstall windows, let me know and I will walk you thru it.

[milestone121]

Well I ran OTC again and cleared it all up. And then installed EasyCleaner. Also I always use Google Chrome and never use Internet Explorer because  I already knew IE is not a safe browser to use. I also have Mozilla Firefox though I don't use it much. You may mark this as resolved if everything is cleared up. Thanks a lot for spending your precious time to help me out. I appreciate it. May good things happen to you more! I will refer people I find who got similar or such issues to here if that's good and okay for this website's people. Thanks a bunch! :)

[Hoov]

You are welcome!