Gah! Need better anti-bug stuff

**Whacker** · 12-05-2009, 04:24

Stop using IE. IE is garbage.

Install Firefox, then install the Noscript and Adblock Plus plugins.

**Crazed Rabbit** · 12-05-2009, 04:33

As in the other thread, my parent's desktop got fried by viruses recently, and then their laptop came under attack.

In both cases they used IE as their main browser. I heavily recommend Firefox 3.5 with Adblock plus and no script. I've used it since I made this computer and had no viruses.

Also, Antivir works well; it was right after my brother removed it from the start up processes that the desktop got infected. I use Spybot Search and Destroy as well.

Google, in its infinite wisdom, has decided, reapetedly, that the DL page for that program is corrupt and closes it.

It's not google, it's the virus, most likely.

CR

**Lemur** · 12-05-2009, 05:49

Originally Posted by Crazed Rabbit

It's not google, it's the virus, most likely.

Yup, the virus/malware has probably hijacked your Hosts file.

**CrossLOPER** · 12-05-2009, 06:14

Avast and spybot search and destroy. You really don't need more...

**Beirut** · 12-05-2009, 14:23

Originally Posted by Lemur

Yup, the virus/malware has probably hijacked your Hosts file.

You just might be right. (You usually are.) Whatever is friggin' with my riggin' is not letting me DL superantispyware or update Ad-Aware or Spybot. I appear to be in the clutches of an evil madman.

Since our learned and most excellent members suggest a browser other than IE, which is of course what I use, how does one safely - meaning without killing myself or my software - change from IE to Firefox?

And is it easy to change over, or does it require a brain? Cause, you know...

**naut** · 12-05-2009, 14:53

Originally Posted by Beirut

And is it easy to change over

Yep.

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html

Download. It'll ask if you want copy your bookmarks etc, tick yes, install. Search for the add-ons Noscript and Ad-Block. Safety.

**pevergreen** · 12-05-2009, 15:51

Yeah, thats a nasty one. Do it quick.

I had that problem earlier in the year, wouldnt let me access C drive (had to go into explorer, [delete your recycle bin in C:\ base]) or any antivirus stuff. I ended up reformatting.

**Beirut** · 12-05-2009, 22:06

Well, I am Firefoxed.

Not that it helps, I'm still kazood up the wazoo and can't seem to update or install any new anti-virus stuff or Google straight to a page without running into endless useless search engine pages.

In any event, this is beyond what I'm prepared to deal with. This machine is a crazy conglomeration of my woman's French programs and my English ones, as well as having been subjected to my kids various live chat programs and online games, so I think it's time for The Big Flush. I was going to do it anyway, but this situation just seems to beg for it.

Aside from whether I should re-install XP or go for the newer W7, since I'm going to backup my stuff on an external HD, re-install some form of Win and then retrive my stuff, what is the ultimate Must have list of stuff I should install prior to retrieving my old stuff off the external HD (and inspecting it with)?

I'm guessing:

AVG 9.0 Free
Superantispyware
Spybot

Any other programs I should have or steps I should take?

Thanks for the help.