Really dumb question, what's a log?

[jesse]

Hi,

My name is Jesse and I'm new to your sight. First of all let me say what you guys, and maybe girls, do here is awesome. You rock. What has brought me to your website is the fact that I have some malware or spyware on my computer, I'm not sure which. I've read the "Read this before requesting malware removal help" topic and I do plan on following your directions(That leads me to another question I'll ask here also). I think I understand everything except what the "log" technically is. I understand it's some sort of information of what's going on after the directions have been followed but what is it? Are you on the internet when you create it? I'm sure once I understand what it is I'll understand the directions for how to attack the logs to the post.
I could get started on following the directions right now but I want to follow your directions as well as possible since you are helping me out when you don't have to.
I'm looking forward to working with whomever will help me. That leads into my next question. Am I supposed to have an expert help me through the process you have laid out in the "Read this before requesting malware removal help" topic?

Thanks for your help,
Jesse

[Zylstra]

A log, in the computer world, is a document of events in a specific program. It may list errors, warnings, status, and execution details.

In the case of "HiJackThis" (HJT) logs, which are what Malware and Spyware Removal uses quite often.
The HJT log details system information, such as startup entries, browser helper objects (BHO's), and various other bits of information that can help identify and remove a virus, spyware, or adware program.

[ChrisXPPro]

Zylstra has nailed that but just to add - with few if any exceptions I can think of - the log file will be straight text - and so a .txt file even if it does not aquire such an extension.

View in Notepad or similar.

[Zylstra]

many log files are .log and even .dat as well. (I sometimes accidentally name my log files "log.dat" or "Error.dat" instead of .log or .txt)

[ChrisXPPro]

True enough, agreed ... but some other .dat files tho can be hex .... opening in Notepad anyways should show 'em (logs that is).

[jesse]

I think I get it. This last part I just want to make sure. The ability to create a log will be part of the antivirus program. T/F

Again, thanks for your help.

[evilfantasy]

If you are talking about the Malware Removal steps it is all described step by step in the Malware Removal Guide on how to create and post the logs.

For example I will attach a log to this post. You can also just copy and paste the entire contents of the logs into the reply box.

[recovering disk space -- attachment deleted by admin]