semi-automated Me install

I have wireless fastnet Internet access. After trouble with firewalls and virus scanners and spyware doctors that did not provide much protection, I put a physical switch on my wireless modem power supply and I only turn it on after I have launched my protection software, but three trojans and a browser hijacker still got through. It took me half a day to follow directions, download suggested software and follow multi-scan and manual fix directions in order to get rid of my "q-find" browser hijacker.

I have two systems and one has a small (3G) HD. I can dedicate this one entirely to the Internet and load it with a minimal Me and a browser and email client. Any mail or web stuff I want to save I could print on paper. That I figure would prevent any contamination entering my off-line system and allow me to re-format my Internet-dedicated system HD and re-install Me as quick or quicker than trying to hunt down and clean out malware.

In the DOS days I used to write "Batch files" to automate certain tasks, but I have not been able to figure out how to automate or semi-automate an Me re-install.

Ideas anyone?

 

not sure about the batch file part, but a switch is not a firewall it just routes the traffic

are you totally clean of all your infections ? you can always get and run
Highjack This to look at your system to give you a log you can post and have a HJT log reader look at

you need to put HJT in it's own folder > ex: C:\HighjackThis and do not run it from your desktop or documents (it needs it's own folders for backups)

at the very least I would enable the Windows firewall, it is more than a sufficient host centric firewall, also keep your antivirus up to date

EDIT: forgot to add this, can you do a system restore to a point when all was well with the computer ?

 

Hello mlegg,

FYI, WinME doesn't have a built in firewall.

Regards - Charles

 

If a quick / automated reinstall is what you want ; I suggest doing an install and updating everythign and purchasing Norton Ghost and creating an image of your drive. Since it is networked, just save the image as a file on the other computer (you can also burn to a cdr set or dvdr) . Then any time you want to restore it, just ghost it back ; probably takes about twenty minutes max.

(You could also buy a second hard drive and use the software supplied with most new drives to "clone " your existing drive to the new one, then install the new one and put the old aside for safe storage. If you ever have a problem, you wipe the new drive and reinstall the old and repeat the cloning).


However, properly configured and maintained even ME is safe and stable.

Key points to consider.
If you use a wireless router, make sure to enable WPA/PK or at least WEP encryption. Choose a good password which cannot be guessed and change the default admin name and password for accessing your router. (This should be done for all routers, changing default passwords).

Most routers feature NAT which is adequate protection for home users. I prefer to also have a software firewall so I can see what is on the computer trying to get out. Note that you must use it. Blindly granting access to anything which asks is not an option. Make sure your system is clean before installing the firewall and running its wizard and keep it turned on.
Sygate personal firewall free

Get and antivirus and keep it up to date and use it.
Do not count on it being up to date or scanning incomming files. Save files ,email contact the sender and ask for confirmation that they sent the file. Wait at least until your antivirus has updated once , then manually scan the file before opening it. Do full system scans on a regular basis.
Avast free antivirus


Note that trojans, and spyware are seperate creatures and require seperate programs. Get a good trojan scanner
A squared trojan remover
and
Ad-aware
and
Spybot
and
Spywareblaster


Make sure you keep windows up to date with all windows updates .
Preferably use a non IE based browser such as Firefox, Mozilla, or Opera for visiting sites you are not sure are safe (or in IE change the internet zone security level to highest before you start browsing).
Note that with alternative browsers, unlike microsoft which issues patches, most just tell you to upgrade. So if you are running one of these, make sure to check for new versions regularly (Firefox now has a built in updater/ patch finder).

 

Thanks very much for your reply. I have downloaded HJT as you suggested.

 

PeteC, thanks for your suggestions. For firewalls I tried McAffee on trial until it expired and then installed the freebie Sygate Personal Firewall and shall test it with the grc.com thing. I have been using PCTools Spyware Doctor and have downloaded Hijack This.

 

oshwin5,

I have started to follow your multiple suggestions by downloading some of the software you indicated that I don't already have, and I have looked up descriptions of Norton Ghost and other disk imaging products. I was encouraged by your remark that with proper procedures and maintenance even WMe can be stable and safe. I had to chuckle at the "even" word.

My plan is to make Me as stable and safe as I can, then setup and test a disk imaging procedure to have ready as a backup option and a last resort fix option as well.

Thank you very much for your prompt help.