IE7 will not connect to Windows Update

[ejeanruport]

Jean, I would dump AVG and download MicroSoft Security Essentials to your computer. I've been using this on my computers for some time with no problems. Of course, you should install MSE first then uninstall AVG. There is also another tool already installed on your computer to run scans. It's call MRT. We don't use it much on-line because it doesn't produce a log but I use it on my computers all the time. The warning from AVG is probably a false-positive.

* Go to Start > Run and type mrt.exe then press Enter on the keyboard).
* (Vista and Windows 7 users go to Start and type mrt.exe in the search box then press Enter on the keyboard.
* Click Next.
* Choose Full Scan and click Next.
* Once the scan is finished click View detailed results of the scan.
Please let me know how you end up with this?

Hi Dave, Things are on the way up now. I installed Ad-Aware v9, and had it run a scan and it found the parent "Agent", plus 2 other files that it considered a 10 in the threat range and I was advised to start my machine to completely remove them.
I got the virus into my machine while downloading Windows Update. I was so frantic to get Windows Update as I wanted to run MSRT and knew it was updated every month. I was suspicious of it when it came in as MRT. But after Ad-Aware completed it's scan, I did run MRT and it showed NO Suspicious files found. So I am assuming I am okay for now.
I have been running AVG and AD-Aware for about 2 years and this is my first major problem.. Most of our kids have had major viruses and I have been able to clean them up but this one stumped me.
I am so gratefull for your help but I think I will stick with AVG and Ad-Aware for now plus Spybot S&D, Malwarebytes, MSRT, and SUPERAntiSpyware as extra tools. I do need to look for a different Firewall though as I had been using Windows Firewall. Then on recommendations from the people at Computer Hope I downloaded Online Armor. I did not like that program. I will continue to use Windows Firewall until I find a different one.
I am not completely convinced that Microsoft Security Essentials is what I want to use. I am not sure they have a strong enough program. but thanks for the suggestion. I may keep it in my arsenal as I know not one program can get all viruses. It's just us against the bugs.
Thank you again for all your help.    Jean

[SuperDave]

Jean, MSE is an AV program so you should have only on AV program running on your computer at any time. It has a 98% efficiency rating and is not a resource hog like other AV programs.
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* Click START then RUN - Vista users press the Windows Key and the R keys for the Run box.
* Now type commy /uninstall in the runbox
* Make sure there's a space between commy and /Uninstall
* Then hit Enter

* The above procedure will:
* Delete the following:
* ComboFix and its associated files and folders.
* Reset the clock settings.
* Hide file extensions, if required.
* Hide System/Hidden files, if required.
* Set a new, clean Restore Point.

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Download OTC by OldTimer and save it to your desktop.

1. Double-click OTC to run it.
2. Click the CleanUp! button.
3. Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
4. If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes
5. OTC should delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it yourself.
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Clean out your temporary internet files and temp files.

Download TFC by OldTimer to your desktop.

Double-click TFC.exe to run it.

Note: If you are running on Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator

TFC will close all programs when run, so make sure you have saved all your work before you begin.

* Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process.
* Depending on how often you clean temp files, execution time should be anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or two.
* Please let TFC run uninterrupted until it is finished.

Once TFC is finished it should restart your computer. If it does not, please manually restart the computer yourself to ensure a complete cleaning.
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Firewalls protect against hackers and malicious intruders. You need to download a free firewall from one of these reliable vendors.

Remember only install ONE firewall

1) Comodo Personal Firewall (Uncheck during installation "Install Comodo SafeSurf..", Make Comodo my default search provider" and "Make Comodo Search my homepage" and uncheck any HopSurf and/or Ask.com options if you choose this one)
2) Online Armor
3) Agnitum Outpost
4) PC Tools Firewall Plus

If you are using the built-in Windows XP firewall, it is not recommended as it does not block outgoing connections. This means that any malware on your computer is free to "phone home" for more instructions. Simply put, Windows XP contains a mediocre firewall. This firewall is NO replacement for a dedicated software solution. Remember to use only one firewall at the same time.
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Use the Secunia Software Inspector to check for out of date software.

•Click Start Now

•Check the box next to Enable thorough system inspection.

•Click Start

•Allow the scan to finish and scroll down to see if any updates are needed.
•Update anything listed.
.
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Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

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I suggest using WOT - Web of Trust. WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.

SpywareBlaster- Secure your Internet Explorer to make it harder for ActiveX programs to run on your computer. Also stop certain cookies from being added to your computer when running Mozilla based browsers like Firefox.
* Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
* If you don't know what ActiveX controls are, see here

Protect yourself against spyware using the Immunize feature in Spybot - Search & Destroy. Guide: Use Spybot's Immunize Feature to prevent spyware infection in real-time. Note: To ensure you have the latest Immunizations always update Spybot - Search & Destroy before Immunizing. Spybot - Search & Destroy FAQ

Check out Keeping Yourself Safe On The Web for tips and free tools to help keep you safe in the future.

Also see Slow Computer? It may not be Malware for free cleaning/maintenance tools to help keep your computer running smoothly.
Safe Surfing!

[ejeanruport]

Dave, I think I will stick with what I now have set up on my computer.
I do Not have full time connection to the internet. Most days I am only online for 45 to 90 seconds. And I do not see that changing.
 I have already uninstalled all "Commy" programs and removed all files....
I have IE set up to not save files in history and delete temp files After 24 hours....
I run disk cleanup on a weekly basis, and do a search for *.tmp files regularly and delete them.
I do a complete scan of my computer files by AVG Anti Virus once a week.... and when I have made a lot of changes to my programs, I run RegScrub. So I think I have most things covered.
I will investigate Firewall programs, but for now I will keep Windows Firewall activated.
so thank you any way.  I am going to disconnect from this thread after this response to you.
Thanks again,  Jean

[SuperDave]

You might want to reconsider using RegScrub after reading this:

Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications and their potential for harming your OS far outweighs any small potential for improving your computer's performance.

There are a number of them available and some are more safe than others. Keep in mind that no two registry cleaners work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad" entry. One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause a problem when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work. Without research into what the registry entry selected for deletion is, a registry cleaner can end up being an automated method to cause problems with the registry.

For routine use by those not familiar with the registry, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.

Further reading: XP Fixes Myth #1: Registry Cleaners