Using Hijack this for this XP 2008 Antivirus

[evilfantasy]

• Click START then RUN
  
• Now type Combofix /u in the runbox
  
• Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /u
• 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 ATF Cleaner by Atribune to your Desktop.

Alternate download link

Note: Vista users must use Run As Administrator

• Under Main: Select Files to Delete choose: Select All.
  
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  
• If you use Firefox browser click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
  
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  If you would like to keep your saved passwords click No at the prompt.
  
• If you use Opera browser click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
  
• Click the Empty Selected button.
  If you would like to keep your saved passwords click No at the prompt.
  
• Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

Note that your system will run slower for a reboot or two after having used this tool so don't panic.

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Download OTCleanIt.exe and save it to your Desktop.

• Double-click OTCleanIt.exe.
  
• Click the CleanUp! button.
  
• Select Yes when the "Begin cleanup Process?" prompt appears.
  
• If you are prompted to Reboot during the cleanup, select Yes.
  
• The tool will delete itself once it finishes, if not delete it yourself.

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Disable the System Restore Utility to prevent re-infection from an old one

1) Right click the My Computer icon on the Desktop and click on Properties.
2) Click on the System Restore tab.
3) Put a check mark next to Turn off System Restore on All Drives
4) Click the OK button.
5) You will be prompted to restart the computer. Click the Yes button.

Now re-enable System Restore

To re-enable the System Restore Utility, follow steps one to five and on step three remove the check mark next to 'Turn off System Restore on All Drives'.

1) Right click the My Computer icon on the Desktop and click on Properties.
2) Click on the System Restore tab.
3) Remove the check mark next to Turn off System Restore on All Drives
4) Click the OK button.

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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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Here are some great FREE tools to help you keep from getting infected again. These tools use little or no resources so won't slow down your PC.

To prevent unknown applications from being installed on your computer install WinPatrol 2008
* Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software

I suggest using SiteAdvisor. SiteAdvisor rates sites on business practices and spam. Safety ratings from McAfee SiteAdvisor are based on automated safety tests of Web sites.

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

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 smooth.

[Quinness]

I'm afraid I ran out of time and had to go to work. I got as far as rebooting after the OTclean. I will do the rest and get back to you later.

I have some questions that will most likely seem dumb to you I guess;

The advice you give is to save to desk top. I don't seem to get that option when I download. after I click RUN it saves it to the c: drive. I can't see the desk top option if I click browse. Am I just not looking hard enough?

With Hijack this I removed all the protocol files (you can see in the log) should I restore some of them? Would it be too much for my brain to understand if you were to explain what they are?

Thanks again for your instructions and guidance (as to thank you for your "help" would imply I know what I'm doing and you're just assisting, which is not the case).

[evilfantasy]

The protocol files were unnecessary and just taking up space. It sounds like the default install location is C:\ and thats fine. OTCleanIt will remove everything that you don't need so it sounds like everything should be fine now.