Unable to Update Avast & Web Browser Crashing

[oldman]

Hi Joker,

Too bad this forum doesn't allow zip files as attachments, it would have made this easier. No matter, it's still a simple process.

Open Windows Explorer (right click your start button and select Explore)

At the top of windows explorer, click tools, folder options, click the
view tab

 -check  Display the contents of system folders
 -check Show hidden files and folders
 -uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" box
 -uncheck "Hide protecting operating system files" box

Click Apply, click OK

Next navigate to this folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc

Click on the folder etc

• In the right hand panel, please locate this file hosts
  
• right click on the file and select properties
  
• on the General tab, clear the check marks from both boxes in the attributes section.
  
• Click Apply, click OK
  
• Right click on the fle hosts again and select open or open with
  note:the program to use is notepad
  
• Using the example DavidR posted HERE, scroll down past all the lines that start with #
  
• Highlight any text that is below the line 127.0.0.1       localhost
  
• right click the highlighted text and select delete
  
• You should now have a file that looks like the example
• In the notepad, Click file, click save
  
• Close the notepad

Next reset the folder Options

At the top of windows explorer, click tools, folder options, click the
view tab

 -uncheck  Display the contents of system folders
 -uncheck Show hidden files and folders
 -check "Hide extensions for known file types" box
 -check "Hide protecting operating system files" box

Click Apply, click OK

Let us know how you make out.

Thanks

[The Joker]

OK its all cleaned up, just like the example.

[oldman]

Hi,

Ok good job.

Any problems? If not we can clean up the tools we used.

From your desktop, please delete

• any notepads/logs that we created

.
Next
Click the Start button, click Run. Copy and paste the following line into the run box and click OK
Combofix /u

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I suggest you keep MBAM. Keep MBAM updated and use it regularly.
.

Don't forget to re-enable Spybot's Teatimer. Use the same steps as before, but this time check Resident "Tea-Timer"(Protection of over-all system settings) active


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Updates and upgrades

* If you are running Microsoft Office, or any portion thereof, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site and make sure you have at least all the cirtical updates installed (Free) Microsoft Office Update

.
You have an older version of Adobe Reader.  You can download the current version HERE

You may want to consider Foxit Reader instead. It may be a bit lighter on resources.

Visit their support forum
Foxit Forum

In either case you should uninstall Adobe Reader 7 first. Be sure to move any PDF documents to another folder first though.


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Some Recommendations and prevention tips

Basic security consists of 1 antivirus program, 1 resident antispyware program, 1 on demand antispyware program and a firewall. You have an antivirus program and both antispyware programs.

You should also use Spyware Blaster to help immunize your computer.

 - SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer
settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
 
OR

A guide to understanding and using the hosts file.

Learn how your Hosts file can protect you and how you can protect it.
Besides the Hosts file information, there are links to a very good updated hosts file, a host file manager. and some programs that can protect your hosts file.
HOSTS

Please read the info on disabling the DNS Client before installing a custom hosts file.


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* If you are behind a router Windows firewall should be fine. Otherwise a 3rd party firewall with outbound monitoring is recommended.

Click FIREWALL for tips, reviews and links to good, free and paid for firewalls. (Note: Zone Alarm is becoming bloatware)



.
-Secure your Internet Explorer

From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.

• Click once on the Security tab
• Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
• Click once on the Custom Level button.
• Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
  
• Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
  
• Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
  
• Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
  
• Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
  
• Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
  
• When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
  
• If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  

Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.


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- Ensure that Automatic Update is turned on so you get all the latest patches.
Click start, control panel, click Security Center.

- Keep your antivirus program updated, as well as any other security programs you have.

- You may also want to read this article By Tony Klein
http://www.freedomlist.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22879

Take care