JTF.ORG Forum
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: JTFenthusiast2 on April 23, 2013, 09:50:47 AM
-
My computer is slow as molasses. I have Avast as the great Muman suggested after dumping McAfee. The problem is that I have had Avast for a long time now, but I keep getting viruses that are part of Java and part of other programs...too many to list. The only way I knew this was by running a deep clean and repair--but avast was not able to "fix" any of the problems. PS: I got rid of unnecessary start up programs a long time ago.
Sometimes, my computer make a jarring BZZZZZZZZ sound when it is loading windows and I have to shut it down by holding the power button, that's how loud and jarring the sound is.
PLEASE HELP ASAP
-
can you post a screen shot of 'processes' listed in ;task manager'
-
can you post a screen shot of 'processes' listed in ;task manager'
mmm sure will that help. It says so many things are "infected." Program after program said "java infected blah blah--not repaired" then it said other things infected, not repaired. I kind of think one code was 30400 or 34600. I have no idea. And there is no list of the result of the deep scan??
How do I take a screen shot. I have a dell
-
Java has that all the time i get it on avast scan just java
-
just "java infected-not repaired" bs?
then why does my computer run beyond slow? I think it is infected. Before when it's been infected and some how I've gotten rid of the viruses, it runs so much faster
-
Put it in your virus chest for a week or so and then scan it again
-
check your speed it's not a download so don't worry http://speedtest.net/
-
17.5 Mbps?
-
mmm sure will that help. It says so many things are "infected." Program after program said "java infected blah blah--not repaired" then it said other things infected, not repaired. I kind of think one code was 30400 or 34600. I have no idea. And there is no list of the result of the deep scan??
How do I take a screen shot. I have a dell
if you are using win7 : all programs -> accessories -> snipping tool
use that to get shots of 'process list ' in 'task manager'. make sure you click 'show all processes'
-
17.5 Mbps?
It's a little slow because mine is a little slow http://www.speedtest.net/result/2664553216.png
-
if you are using win7 : all programs -> accessories -> snipping tool
use that to get shots of 'process list ' in 'task manager'. make sure you click 'show all processes'
Can't you do it this way
Instructions
1
Turn on your computer and wait until the Taskbar appears. The Taskbar is the area located on the bottom of the screen displaying your running programs.
2
Right-click the taskbar. A menu will appear displaying numerous options.
3
Select "Task Manager" from the menu list. The Task Manager will open.
-
press start... type in msconfig... choose startup tab... uncheck everything that isnt necessary. Generally.. I just uncheck everything except my Adobe items.
-
Do you need Java at all ? perhaps you can uninstall Java, then scan and clean your pc. Then if you must have it reinstall Java.
Also maybe you have allot of toolbars and other parasitic programs that install themselves when you install other programs. Consider removing all this crap, it's not a virus but it is garbage that consume computer resources and might slow it down.
-
computer dolt even after 8 years , i find Threatfire anti-virus ok! :o
-
You have re-boot cd's which set your computer back like it was when it was brand new. But you'd have to buy an external harddrive to put your files on.
-
If the hard drive is making odd noises during boot I recommend getting a 'Rescue CD' from the Network, burning it on a CD, and booting to it... Once done you can run a disk check on the hard drive. I have had drives go bad and when this happens it can slow down the computer quite a bit. You can also run a disk check from within Windows, but you will have to google for information on how to go about it (because I don't really work with Windows for reasons discussed in other threads).
SMART is a good thing for determining when hard drives are about to fail.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S.M.A.R.T.
http://www.sysresccd.org/SystemRescueCd_Homepage
-
You have re-boot cd's which set your computer back like it was when it was brand new. But you'd have to buy an external harddrive to put your files on.
That is the most common way Windows users deal with these kinds of problems...
-
That is the most common way Windows users deal with these kinds of problems...
Allot of linux users do a fresh install every once in a while, like every time a new version comes out.
-
Allot of linux users do a fresh install every once in a while, like every time a new version comes out.
You don't need to reinstall when a new version comes out. At least not most of the modern linux distros. Most have automatic updaters which will update your existing system...
-
You don't need to reinstall when a new version comes out. At least not most of the modern linux distros. Most have automatic updaters which will update your existing system...
I know that. But I stated the facts that many users prefer to do a fresh install.
-
Sometimes, my computer make a jarring BZZZZZZZZ sound when it is loading windows and I have to shut it down by holding the power button, that's how loud and jarring the sound is.
Sorry, I actually completely missed this paragraph.
As others have pointed out, this is a mechanical problem. Hopefully its the fan.
Did you take it apart to see what's making that noise?
If it is your hard drive heating up, place the entire computer in the refrigerator or near it with the actual hard drive in the freezer. If you have time freeze the hard drive overnight. In mild cases, this will allow you to extract all your files.
-
That loud BZZZZ sound could be the harddrive going bad, if the heads are crashing, you may want to back up your data and replace the HD asap.
-
Being he hasn't been on for 24 hours, I take it his computer is in twelve different parts.
-
Being he hasn't been on for 24 hours, I take it his computer is in twelve different parts.
LOL. Thank you all for the advice. Briann I did what you saiid, but there aren't that many start programs left
Spiraling Leopard, no reboot cds
Muman,
I couldn't understand the first thing on that page because it's cluttered with things to click on and I'm not sure I should be clicking. BUT I do appreciate your attempt to help me because I dont know anything
ACK, Thank you for the many tips you gave.
IN DESPERATION, I bought a iobit malware package with other stuff in it--NO CHANGE
I also bought io bit advanced system care.
Also good ram, harddrive memory upload speed and download, all the parameters are listed as great, but the computer is barely working.
Can't afford a new computer? ANY other ideas? Please
-
You can buy reboot cd's cheap on ebay.
-
where do you live? I have a bunch of older machines (intel core2 quad). several i could give you one.
-
Hey ACK,
That is super nice of you! But I dont know what that is. My damn computer is still slow and I've run everything on it under the sun.
-
Hey ACK,
That is super nice of you! But I dont know what that is. My damn computer is still slow and I've run everything on it under the sun.
JTFE2,
At this point, if you cannot find the SystemRescue CD to save your system, I recommend re-installing your Operating System after first attempting to back up your important data. DO NOT BACK UP System Folders as they may be infected, and restoring them may re-infect your new Operating System. Of course I would recommend installing something other than Windows (I prefer Linux) but if you need Windows make sure you are installing a pristine copy and make sure you immediately install a virus check program (Windows can get infected within 20 minutes of re-installation)...
-
i might add that you may want to copy over any
images (.jpg, .gif .png)
videos, media ( .avi .mov .wma .mp4 .mp3)
documents ( .txt .doc .wpd .pdf )
or just copy everything and hand it to the nearest geek to scan for viruses. or just give the hard drive to the nearest geek to scan for viruses.
-
For those who think I was exaggerating how quickly Windows boxes are compromised I have provided a link which supports the claim that within 20 minutes of re-installation a Windows box connected to the Internet can be infected...
http://news.cnet.com/2100-7349_3-5313402.html
August 17, 2004 12:22 PM PDT
Study: Unpatched PCs compromised in 20 minutes
By Matt Loney
Special to CNET News.com
Don't connect that new PC to the Internet before taking security precautions, researchers at the Internet Storm Center warned Tuesday.
According to the researchers, an unpatched Windows PC connected to the Internet will last for only about 20 minutes before it's compromised by malware, on average. That figure is down from around 40 minutes, the group's estimate in 2003.
The Internet Storm Center, which is part of the SANS Institute, calculated the 20-minute "survival time" by listening on vacant Internet Protocol addresses and timing the frequency of reports received there.
"If you are assuming that most of these reports are generated by worms that attempt to propagate, an unpatched system would be infected by such a probe," the center, which provides research and education on security issues, said in a statement.
The drop from 40 minutes to 20 minutes is worrisome because it means the average "survival time" is not long enough for a user to download the very patches that would protect a PC from Internet threats.
Scott Conti, network operations manager for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, said he finds the center's data believeable.
"It's a tough problem, and it's getting tougher," Conti said.
-
You shouldn't get infected within 20 minutes if you go directly to the sites that let you download the antivirus/anti-malware programs, but I can see how that can happen easily if someone browses around to their favorite sites first.
I remember when it seemed like you had to download something to get a virus. Now all you have to do is browse onto a page with advertisements on it. I've gotten viruses from legitimate web sites that happened to have rolling ads. Some of the ads were bad and would cause the computer to get a virus just by being on that page when the ad was up.
-
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118480608500871051.html
-
sorry to disagree mikhail.
There's an invention called a 'firewall'.
There's a technique called Network Address Translation.
I have test Win XP VMs behind firewalls that are completely bared - Fresh installs.
In fact I'll turn on one of them on my server right now just for you. I made it in 2009. Go ahead, hurt it.
I'll give you Hilliary.
-
If that article assumes you connect that PC DIRECTLY to the internet where it is given a PUBIC facing (exposed) IP without a firewall, then yes, it would get infected. In fact I would say in just a few minutes. 20 minutes would be way too long.
But we know that nobody is that stupid as to not have at least a simple router.
-
If that article assumes you connect that PC DIRECTLY to the internet where it is given a PUBIC facing (exposed) IP without a firewall, then yes, it would get infected. In fact I would say in just a few minutes. 20 minutes would be way too long.
But we know that nobody is that stupid as to not have at least a simple router.
Most home Cable modems have no firewall... So maybe if you are installing behind a company firewall you are safe... But most home users do not have a firewall..
Most routers do not have a firewall either. At least not the ones I have which I bought about five years ago...
-
sorry to disagree mikhail.
There's an invention called a 'firewall'.
There's a technique called Network Address Translation.
I have test Win XP VMs behind firewalls that are completely bared - Fresh installs.
In fact I'll turn on one of them on my server right now just for you. I made it in 2009. Go ahead, hurt it.
I'll give you Hilliary.
Most home users do not know what NAT is... It is something we use when using virtual machines (which most home users know nothing about).
So you are suggesting that only those power users who are working at a company which employs a firewall, or running their OS in a virtual machine, are protected from malware.
-
What I am suggesting is for JTFE2 who is a simple home user, not a power user like you...
It is best to get the patches right after installing the OS, otherwise the system may be compromised...
-
I hate that term "power user". And might I add "tech-savy". I hate those terms.
A simple router for $20-50USD has NAT and a basic firewall. Good enough for basic protection. Good enough to get you going. With that, you can safely, and take your time and do all your updates and install your anti-virus.
No brain needed.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against your advice to the other person.
-
I hate that term "power user". And might I add "tech-savy". I hate those terms.
A simple router for $20-50USD has NAT and a basic firewall. Good enough for basic protection. Good enough to get you going. With that, you can safely, and take your time and do all your updates and install your anti-virus.
No brain needed.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against your advice to the other person.
The problem is that all it takes is opening up a website which has malware on it... I am sure that you, as well as most nerds (myself included), do not open any sites in a browser during the update process... But a lot of people actually do. So I recommend installing updates and patch immediately after re-installing the OS...
-
I think we scared JTFenthusiast2 back to using the abacus and bird feather pens.
-
Great times I had using virtual machines.
-
You may want to try a whole new operating system. Linux Mint or Ubuntu Linux are both wonderful, free, and your computer will run MUCH faster (no multitude of background applications running to check for licenses, etc) and without problem. I have used Linux for over 10 years now, I currently have 5 laptops and 8 desktops running either Ubuntu or Linux Mint.
Antivirus and firewall are built in and I have never had any of my computers get a virus, hijacked, lock up, etc. I know it sounds too good to be true but it isn't. The programs are free and you can boot them up off a DVD and use to see how you like it before changing anything.... reboot and it boots your old system with no changes. Also because of a far superior formatting, hard drives never need to be de-fragmented.
I do a lot on computers and there isn't anything MS can do that Linux cannot do better and totally free. Example, I make power point presentations using Libre Office (free) which saves files and is totally compatible with MS Office, I don't have to change or reformat anything.
There are a very few obscure MS programs that will not run on Linux so if you are totally tied to a MS program check for compatibility first. Almost always there is a free alternative program.
MS Office........ Libre Office or Open Office both free, they are much better than MS Office.
Adobe Photoshop..... GIMP, free and better than Adobe.
Skype..... Linux was using it free for over a decade before MS picked it up.
-
Muman, almost all routers come with firewalls these days (including the ones from Time Warner and Verizon) and the Windows built in firewall is actually a decent software firewall that is on by default. It blocks everything from the outside, just not programs from getting out. Personally, I like more firewall, but then again, it's enough for most people.
Muman is completely right about reinstalling your computer operating system from scratch.
Drlmg is right about Mint Linux being pretty amazing and free. I recommend trying it and it comes in 4 "flavors"... MATE, Cinnamon, KDE, and Xfce. If you like to configure stuff and want it more like Windows, get KDE. If you just want it to just work and not mess with stuff, grab Cinnamon. Just burn it to a CD and boot it. Drlmg's suggestion was great. That way you get to see if your system actually runs faster without any risk.
http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php
One correction, Skype does run native on Linux now and is in the "Software Manager" built-in installer in Mint (and Ubuntu since they use the same repositories) and as easy to install as double clicking on it.
I do not recommend Ubuntu Linux. The name is African for "humanity" (since we all know that Africa is just full of "humanity") and run by leftists who also collect your data. I don't support them at all.
See for yourself:
http://www.esecurityplanet.com/network-security/eff-warns-of-major-ubuntu-privacy-issue.html
If you decide to stay with Windows ( as long as it's not Windows 8 ), then do yourself a favor and don't spend money on antivirus or spyware apps. Grab Microsoft Security Essentials for your antivirus. It's free.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
Grab Malwarebytes for your anti-malware and anti-spyware. It's awesome and also free.
http://www.malwarebytes.org
Lastly, once your computer is infected, never ever just keep using it. You have no idea what it's doing, and most of the time, you can never get rid of it 100% (if at all). Always re-install your computer from scratch. Back up your important data on CDs and scan them FIRST THING once you get everything re-installed. Be very careful about going to sites you don't trust and never download pirated programs, cracks, keygens, or game trainers. They're pretty much all infected these days.
I hope that helps,
Shlomo
-
If you decide to stay with Windows ( as long as it's not Windows 8 ), then do yourself a favor and don't spend money on antivirus or spyware apps. Grab Microsoft Security Essentials for your antivirus. It's free.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/security-essentials-download
Grab Malwarebytes for your anti-malware and anti-spyware. It's awesome and also free.
http://www.malwarebytes.org
Does this Microsoft Security Essentials really do the job?
I downloaded Malwarebytes some weeks ago, but now it says my trial is over and it gives the option to pay for a subscription to activate it again.
I also internet on a secondairy account, and not the main administrator account, so programs needs permission to install themselves and cannot do it on their own.
-
Does this Microsoft Security Essentials really do the job?
I downloaded Malwarebytes some weeks ago, but now it says my trial is over and it gives the option to pay for a subscription to activate it again.
I also internet on a secondairy account, and not the main administrator account, so programs needs permission to install themselves and cannot do it on their own.
I have been using the Microsoft Security Essentials for some time and I have found it to work as good if not better than the Norton's 360 I replaced it with... In fact the Norton's seemed seemed be getting worse with each new edition... I have used it on Vista, Seven with very good results and I believe it even works for Windows Eight however I would be interested in knowing why Shlomo has reservations about using it with that... Download the other tools Shlomo posted in one of the threads a few months back and you should get good results.
-
Does this Microsoft Security Essentials really do the job?
I downloaded Malwarebytes some weeks ago, but now it says my trial is over and it gives the option to pay for a subscription to activate it again.
I also internet on a secondairy account, and not the main administrator account, so programs needs permission to install themselves and cannot do it on their own.
Does Microsoft's Security Essentials anti-virus do the job? Sure. Tons of people use it and it's "set and forget". It's not the top best of all antivirus programs, but, like CJD said, it's much, much better than Norton, works well, and light on system resources. It's really better at keeping a system clean in advance than trying to repair a machine already infected (which I say nuke any infected machine and start over for safety). BitDefender is supposed to be the best out right now but it has a ton of false positives and takes up a lot of your resources (also, you cannot disable it).
With Malwarebytes, I think there is like a Pro version you can trial... but I use the free one that never has any trial period or the like. Depends on how you installed it.
Windows Eight however I would be interested in knowing why Shlomo has reservations about using it
I absolutely despise Windows 8 for many reasons:
- The Metro UI and no Start Menu - giant single color blocks on the screen as if Microsoft is talking down to you. The new apps have to all be "full screen" just like Windows 1. The keyboard and mouse feel like after-thoughts. I do not want my desktop to be a giant dumbed down cell phone.
- Charms bar - An entire toolbar dedicated to only 5 buttons pops up over your apps every time you move the mouse to the right side of the screen. Any Windows 8 user can tell you, it can be quite frustrating.
- Safe mode - You can no long boot into safe mode without booting into Windows first. What if you can't boot into Windows because of a bad driver? You are out of luck. Reinstall. Hope you had a backup.
- More invasive and ridiculous copyright stuff - You need a new license to play your DVDs now
- App Store - Microsoft copying Apple trying to sell you more and more stuff. When will the marketing draw the line and leave us alone?
And that's just the beginning. Windows 8 is a horrible mess. If you buy a new machine, get one with Windows 7 and do not upgrade. For more information do an internet search on Windows 8 reviews.
-
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118480608500871051.html
Also, remember to be proactive and take the advice in this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4ils5kuyI8
-
I agree win8 is a gui mess. However that can be remedied with the classic shell program or start 8. Win7 and winxp are the best OSs by ms. Looking to see what Win9 can bring to the table.
I might get back to linux mint again if it is that good. Going by the live cd years ago, it was neat.
-
How is NOD32 for computers?
-
I would like to make two more points on this thread...
One, there are two methods of getting infected from malware. The first is by running server software on a system, such as a webserver, a media server, a ssh (secure shell), or a database server. All of these server systems require clients to access them so a TCP/IP connection must be able to be opened. The server must be exposed to the outside network, unless of course it is only serving the internal Local Area Network or behind a Virtual Private Network connection to the the Internet.
I used to run Web servers and database servers available on the internet. On those systems I had to run the standard Linux firewall called ipchains/iptables ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ipchains http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iptables ) which permits certain ports to be protected from outside access while permitting others to be opened. When I speak of a firewall on the router I am expecting the kind of control which I have with ipchains. I use the common WRTG54 router which provides protection against outside attacks on interal servers.
The second, most popular method, of becoming infected is not though crafted packets sent to severs, but rather due to the user browsing to a compromised web site. No amount of firewall will prevent these attacks, because they come through ports which are open (on the firewalls) in order to allow normal operation of the browser. All HTTP traffic goes through port 80, and unless it is encrypted using SSL, it can deliver malware to a system. One of the most clever malwares ever made are those innocuous looking 'search-bars' people install when they download free games from the Internet. These useless pieces of software provide the platform to deliver all kinds of malware to a system. No firewall will prevent these kinds of compromises.
On a second point, though I seek to avoid argument with Shlomo, I beg to differ on the issue of Ubuntu. I have used Ubuntu without any malware, viruses, system-failures for over seven years now. We started using Ubuntu at version 7.04 and now we are running 10.04 at work, and I am currently running 12.10. I do not know where Shlomo learned that Ubuntu is a leftist company because I can find no such evidence doing searched of the internet. The parent company of Ubuntu is a company called Cannonical, which provides support to enterprises who use the operating system. Cannonical is a business and thus they have been commoditizing parts of the operating system, which as a result has upset many long time users. I am familiar with the 'app store' model which I currently use on my Android systems, and Ubuntu is attempting (as it appears Microsoft is) to commoditize software through their software stores.
Regarding whether Ubuntu sends information to third parties. I have checked out Ubuntu's privacy policy and it is as good as Microsofts. Concerning that issue which Shlomo linked to concerning sharing information with Amazon, that is something we can opt-out of (In my installation I turned off that feature, reporting searches to Amazon and other third parties). Once again those people who install the 'search-bars' are also providing their searches to third parties. It is easy to switch off the 'Dash' internet search feature.
I was concerned when I learned what Shlomo was writing about it. I turned on a packet sniffer to check out what information is being sent on the network. I found only traffic relating to my Ubuntu One cloud account, where I keep some of my files which I need to access from both home and work. I also have a google drive account where I can also access from anywhere I have access to the internet... Of course the Cloud is nowhere to place information which would be embarassing or personal, but it is a convenient place for me to put sourcecode and save links to...
-
I hate Windows 8! For all the reasons Shlomo noted. I had to start over and get rid of the Microsoft account. Otherwise, It felt too invasive. Super frustrating to use.
-
I use Symantec endpoint protection. used to be norton.
But I do not recommend their products on slower systems such as anything less than a quad core like intel core2 quad series.
It does not run well on any netbooks or any atom based pc.
One thing I notice about geniuses like muman is that they often don't know basic things.
I've seen his impressive resume. He's great with embedded devices, kernel hacking, programming. But doesn't know about cheap routers.
-
I use Symantec endpoint protection. used to be norton.
But I do not recommend their products on slower systems such as anything less than a quad core like intel core2 quad series.
It does not run well on any netbooks or any atom based pc.
One thing I notice about geniuses like muman is that they often don't know basic things.
I've seen his impressive resume. He's great with embedded devices, kernel hacking, programming. But doesn't know about cheap routers.
Huh? I know more about routers than most do, as I have written entire networks stacks (including the low-level device drivers and file system drivers).
I still do not see that any routers have iptables type of firewalls built in. I am using a WRT54G
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series router and it does not have any firewall capability.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ee/Linksys_WRT54G_V1.jpg/250px-Linksys_WRT54G_V1.jpg)
I don't know why the issue of the firewall is even relevant to this discussion. As I said before, most people infect their computers in a way which a firewall doesn't protect from.
-
Is it possible to get infected from just browsing a website, without actively downloading or installing anything ?
-
Is it possible to get infected from just browsing a website, without actively downloading or installing anything ?
There have been infections which were spread by images which contain malware, and unpatched systems which could be exploited by these images... Most of the time I do not worry, but it is best to make sure that you have the latest patches to the browser, and all image libraries used by the browser...
-
Just for reference, I found a mention of the project I worked on 20 years ago... I was a principle engineer of Amiga Client Software for Novell Netware published by Oxxi, Inc...
http://archive.org/stream/amiga-world-1992-02/Amiga_World_Vol_08_02_1992_Feb_djvu.txt
Get the Connection
Let your Amiga step right up and con-
nect to any standard Novell NetWare
network as a workstation or client with
Oxxi's Amiga Client Software. Now you
can enjoy the best of both worlds — full-
range Novell NetWare functions, along
with the Amiga's multitasking, graphic
environment.
Amiga Client Software comes with two
utilities. AmigaBack lets you back up and
restore server-based data without leaving
the Amiga workstation. NetMessage lets
you send messages and attached files to
those tied into the same network or,
when these networks are tied via gate-
ways, to people outside it. To run Amiga
Client Software, you will need a LAN
ARCNet or Ethernet card (one for each
workstation, one for server), cabling, and
IBM-PC-compatible servers running
Novell NetWare version 2.15 or higher.
-
I do see that the latest spec for the WRT54G wireless router lists 'stateful packet analysis firewall'. It seems that is a newer feature which will require a firmware upgrade for my router.
PS: I seem to have the WRT54GL which is the 'hackable' version but it lacks the firewall by default.
-
OK okokokok you know about routers.
;D
-
Can I pay one of you to help me? I dont know anything about what any of you are talking about.