Computers - How to Fix the Trojan Agent

How to Fix the Trojan Agent

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Trojan.Agent was a dangerous Trojan Horse virus that would exploit Windows weaknesses to open security holes and allow hackers to remotely connect to an infected PC. Nowadays this trojan is listed by fake anti-virus and anti-spyware applications as a virus found on your hard drive. These fake programs use the scare tactics to push users into paying for a fake product that claims to be capable of removing the Trojan.Agent. Delete this trojan from your computer as soon as possible to prevent any further damage.  

Difficulty: Easy

 

Instructions

Unregister DLLs

1. Go to the "Start" menu, type "Cmd" in the Start Search box and press "Enter" to start the command line window.
   
   
2. Type "regsvr32 /u windivx.dll" in the command line window and press "Enter" to unregister the DLL.
   
   
3. Repeat Step 2 for "websrc32.dll," "msvideo.dll," "pmspl.dll," "vipextqtr.dll," "ecxwp.dll" and "stream32a.dll."
   
   
4. Close the command line window.
   

Remove Registry Entries

5. Go to the "Start" menu, type "Regedit" in the Start Search box and press "Enter" to start the Registry Editor.
   
   
6. Click the "Edit" menu option in the Registry Editor's window, select "Find," copy and past the following registry string into the search field and press "Enter":
   
   
   
   A19926CE-CA09-9EAE-7806-B9891B5461C8
   
   
   
   Delete the found registry entry.
   
   
7. Repeat Step 2 for the following registry entries:
   
   
   
   17A1DBB5-DAD8-4E78-BF7E-9BE4B965408B
   
   E856E05E-1B91-4339-9EFC-9A3308CB5491
   
   b166be07-30a4-4d38-b781-44528a630706
   
   D17CFF74-A19C-4C36-821A-E074E4F889CA
   
   6F6D1C90-7BEE-4A15-8DAB-9C37A643FD3A
   
   FF5137B5-C506-4D9B-8682-E0BE4675B899
   
   15EB9F40-D775-4463-B75B-8687B3C66BB7
   
   6D64B03B-3B93-4AF2-BFC6-01264A4C7F2A
   
   6A719349-BDF5-4268-9019-4ACA0C2562D2
   
   B3E45A9B-7756-46A2-AB14-90175CD374F9
   
   69B98C68-D2B8-4A4E-9CB7-E85B6F3A7014
   
   A8565FBC-8D53-4D4F-9BB0-CBC68A22B126
   
   43BA0532-0D69-458A-8C71-AD0F6AE70D19
   
   BBB05D9E-0297-404D-A6BF-D8F2876B84A6
   
   F9EAAA11-DF98-4615-A2C7-7D03C86A6BE9
   
   A19926CE-CA09-9EAE-7806-B9891B5461C8
   
   31E3F653-ED88-4355-B83E-FB263CD355E3
   
   202EBB90-ABD4-46CC-BB5A-4F0ECC67B331
   
   62EA9201-8CC7-4199-AC30-7744F836322E
   
   BBB05D9E-0297-404D-A6BF-D8F2876B84A6
   
   c4545fc9-26d0-4ccf-b4fb-728aed895dbd
   
   
8. Close the Registry Editor.
   

Find and Delete Files

9. Go to the "Start" menu, type "windivx.dll" in the Start Search box and press "Enter." Delete all search results.
   
   
10. Repeat Step 1 for "msvideo.dll," "pmspl.dll," "urqnomm.dll," "ecxwp.dll," "stream32a.dll," "websrc32.dll," "mlljh.dll," "cjvy.dll," "vtssp.dll," "gqagksr.dll," "popnetnpr.dll," "ttvbonvgl.dll," "ssqppol.dll," "blopenvxdt.dll" and "esent9.dll."
    
    
11. Restart your computer.

Computers - How to Stop Pop-ups From 'About Blank'

How to Stop Pop-ups From 'About Blank'

I want to do this! What's This?

Browser hijackers redirect URLs.

www and internet image by mbs from Fotolia.com

The "About Blank" pop-ups are the result of a browser hijacker, which is a virus. It will change your homepage and redirect searches to random websites that may be dangerous for your PC. The virus can also disable your anti-virus program. This is a difficult virus to remove with ordinary anti-virus programs because the virus hides certain files from the computer. The best way to stop pop-ups from "About Blank" is to remove every trace of it manually.

Difficulty: Easy

 

Instructions

1. Right-click on your system tray, which is the bar at the bottom of your desktop screen. Choose "Task Manager" from the options and wait for it to load.
   
   
2. Click on "Processes" and then find these file names:
   
   
   
   sethcd.exe
   
   smbdins.exe
   
   phafxfa.exe
   
   svhost.exe
   
   tsmsetup.exe
   
3. Click on them and press "End Process" to remove them.
   
   
4. Go to "Start" and "Run." Type "Regedit" and press "Enter" to load the Registry Editor menu on your screen.
   
   
5. Go to "Edit" on the toolbar. Click on "Find" and type these Registry keys into the blank box. Press "Enter" to search for them.
   
   
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\internet explorer\toolbar {06abaa2d-34ab-4902-a326-409bd9b9a7a5}
   
   
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\explorer\browser helper objects\{b664647f-efd5-4837-a810-a807139107e5}
   
   
   
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run network service
   
   
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\clsid\{06abaa2d-34ab-4902-a326-409bd9b9a7a5}
   
   
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\clsid\{b664647f-efd5-4837-a810-a807139107e5}
   
   
   
   HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\clsid\{ce6a1268-9cc9-4ba3-8657-fe1132906cc4}
   
   
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\internet explorer\toolbar\webbrowser {06abaa2d-34ab-4902-a326-409bd9b9a7a5}
   
   
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\run network service
   
   
6. Right-click on the keys and choose "Delete" from the options menu.
   
   
7. Go to "Start" and "Run." Type "cmd" and press "Enter." Wait for the Command Prompt to load on your screen.
   
   
8. Type "regsvr32 /u [DLL_NAME]," but replace "[DLL_NAME]" with these file names:
   
   
   
   wdm.dll
   
   achpjba.dll
   
   cbme.dll
   
   se.dll
   
   iesp1.dll
   
   
9. Press "Enter" after typing in each file name to unregister the DLLs.
   
   
10. Go to "Start" and "Search." Look in "C" drive for these files:
    
    
    
    ld[X].tmp
    
    syg.db
    
    spyfalcon.url
    
    blacklist.txt
    
    english.ini
    
    uninstall spyfalcon 2.0.lnk
    
    spyfalcon 2.0 website.lnk
    
    spyfalcon.lnk
    
    spyfalcon 2.0.lnk
    
    
11. Click on each file and press your "Delete" button to erase them permanently. Reboot your computer.
    

Computers - Norton AntiVirus Won't Scan

Norton AntiVirus Won't Scan

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A common problem that arises for Norton AntiVirus users is the program failing to conduct virus scans after major Windows operating system updates or after a computer virus infection. If this occurs with the installation of Norton on your computer, it can be solved by manually running Norton Live Update to download and install the compatible Norton program updates required for the program to successfully scan your computer. If Live Update is not run, the program will continue to fail to run and leave your computer vulnerable to computer virus and spyware attack.

Difficulty: Easy

 

Instructions

1. Reboot your computer in Safe Mode by clicking the "F8" function key multiple times during the normal computer restarting process.
   
   
2. Click the "With Networking" option on the Safe Mode dialogue menu followed by the "Enter" key.
   
   
3. Click the "Start" and "Run" menu options. Enter "Cmd" or "command" followed by the "Enter" key to open the DOS prompt.
   
   
4. Enter "luall.exe" at the DOS command prompt followed by the "Enter" key to manually launch Norton Live Update.
   
   
5. Choose the configuration menu default options that are displayed to run Live Update.
   
   
6. Select the "Yes" menu button to restart your computer when prompted by Live Update. If you are not prompted to do so, manually restart your PC.
   
   
7. Open the Norton Control Panel by double-clicking the program icon on your computer's desktop. Select the "Scan Now" menu button and Norton will now scan your computer.
   

Computers - My Norton Will Not Install

My Norton Will Not Install

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Norton AntiVirus is a computer security program for Windows operating systems. Several major computer brands feature trial versions of the Norton software pre-installed. Computer users who purchase Norton products can have problems installing new versions because previous installations of the program may remain on the computer. Removing them will allow Norton to properly install.

Difficulty: Easy

 

Instructions

1. Download the appropriate Norton Product Removal Tool to your computer (see Resources).
   
   
2. Double-click the Norton Product Removal Tool application file and select the default options on the subsequent dialogue menus.
   
   
3. Restart your computer after the previous installations of Norton products have been removed from your computer.
   
   
4. Reinstall Norton by double-clicking the product installation file if you purchased the program online, or insert the installation CD if you purchased it from a store.
   
   
5. Follow the default menu prompts to install the Norton product on your computer. You will need to re-enter the product activation key to successfully complete installation. If you purchased the Norton product online, the key will have been emailed to you and is accessible via your online Norton account if you do not have it.
   
   
6. Restart your computer and the Norton product will be installed.

Computers - How to Remove Damaged Norton LiveUpdate Files

How to Remove Damaged Norton LiveUpdate Files

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Remove Damaged Norton LiveUpdate Files

computer bug image by Sergey Tokarev from Fotolia.com

From protecting your computer's Internet connection to using the connection to download security patches and updates, Norton Antivirus is always using resources on your computer. The antivirus program's download application, Norton LiveUpdate, accesses the Norton server and retrieves updates/patches and stores them within the Norton Antivirus program's folder. These updates normally install without any problems, but on occasion a LiveUpdate file will fail to install or will only download as a partial file. These damaged LiveUpdate files will halt the Norton application and must be removed manually to restart the antivirus application.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

 

 

Instructions

1. Close any open files and programs.
   
   
2. Click "Start" and then "My Computer." Double-click on the "C:\" drive icon.
   
   
3. Click "Tools" and "Folder Options," then click on the "View" tab.
   
   
4. Click on the circle next to the wording "Show hidden files and folders" under the heading "Hidden Files and Folders."
   
5. Click on the check box next to the wording "Hide protected operating system files" to remove the check mark from the box.
   
6. Click "Apply" and then "OK."
   
   
7. Double-click on the "Documents and Settings" folder. Double-click on the "All Users" and "Application Data" folders.
   
   
8. Double click on the "Symantec" and "LiveUpdate" folders.
   
   
9. Double click on the "Downloads" folder.
   
   
10. Click "Edit," "Select All," amd then press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.
    
    
11. Click "Yes" when prompted are you sure you want to move selected files to the "Recycle Bin."
    
    
12. Click "Tools" and "Folder Options," then click on the "View" tab.
    
    
13. Click on the circle next to the wording "Do not show hidden files and folders" under the heading "Hidden Files and folders."
    
    
14. Click on the check box next to the wording "Hide protected operating system files" to add a check mark to this setting..
    
    
15. Click "Apply" and then "OK."
    
    
16. Restart your computer. Norton LiveUpdate will download the latest updates and patches after your computer restarts.
    

Computers - How to Update AVG 8.0 Over the Network

How to Update AVG 8.0 Over the Network

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Created by AVG Technologies, AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 comes as a free edition as well as a commercial version. You can use either edition to clear your computer of trojans, spyware and other forms of harmful malware. If you want to update AVG Anti-Virus 8.0 over the network with the latest virus definitions, you must log in as an administrator and then use a built-in tool to perform the task.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Log in as an administrator. To do so, enter your administrator username and password into the appropriate fields during computer startup.
   
   
2. Connect to the Internet.
   
   
3. Right-click the AVG icon on the left-side of the Windows taskbar.
   
   
4. Click the option labeled "Update Now" on the pop-up menu. AVG will automatically connect to the update servers over the Internet and will update accordingly with the latest virus definitions.

Computers - How to Patch Antivirus

How to Patch Antivirus

I want to do this! What's This?

New viruses and trojans are constantly being created, and your anti-virus software must update to give your computer the latest protection. Software updates can be set to automatically install when a new virus definition is released, or you can install the update manually. Patching your anti-virus software gives you peace of mind knowing your system is up-to-date to protect you from malicious threats.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Update AVG Free by clicking "Start" and then "Programs." Find "AVG Free" and select "AVG Free User Interface." Click "Update now" on the left side. AVG will search for and automatically install the latest update files. Turn automatic updates on by clicking "Update Manager" and scheduling a specific time for AVG to update.
   
   
2. Update ZoneAlarm by opening ZoneAlarm from the "Start" menu and clicking "Update Now" from the software's main tab. This checks for any available patches to install automatically.
   
   
3. Update Norton by opening the program from the "Start" menu. Click "Options" and check the box beside "Enable Live Update" and click "Apply." You can download the update directly from the website (see Resources) if you have updating problems.