How do I know if I have a RAT?

[AirHalling]

By the way, this forum has been a life saver for me more than once and everyone of you deserves a large medal.  You are saints in my book.

[evilfantasy]

OK that got what I was worried about so that's good!

Download the Norton Removal Tool (SymNRT) to your Desktop.

Once downloaded please close ALL open browsers, also save any work because this may require a restart.

• Go to your desktop and double click on the removal tool and then click Setup.
  
• Once open Click Next
  
• Accept the license agreement and click Next
  
• Type in the letters/numbers that you see into the text box then click Next.
  
• Then click Next and the tool will start running.
  
• Once finished restart the PC and run the tool again to ensure everything has been removed.
• Delete Nortonremoval tool from your Desktop.

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How is the computer running now?

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[AirHalling]

o.k. You are probably thinking I am a pain since it has been three weeks since I last followed up on my post but life sure throws some curve balls at you.  Husband and four kids and a mom with lung cancer sometimes keep you away from things.

ANYWAY, your last bit of instructions seem confusing.  You are telling me to download the norton, run it but then remove it when I am done.  Is that correct?   Or are you just telling me to remove it from the desktop and not to uninstall it?  I'm a bit confundido.

The system appears to be functioning well.  My core problem lies in the fact that our pc is a family pc.  You are helping me with my husbands opening a malicious email.  In addition, my children are all over the web and who knows what they are picking up as they go.  Ironic that they can pick up viruses at school and also on the pc.

So...now that it appears I am nearing the final step of correcting my problems.  Is there a thread I should read on keeping my pc healthy.  I thought I was with the malware sweeps I was running but clearly it is not enough.  Any of your advice would be appreciated.

[evilfantasy]

ANYWAY, your last bit of instructions seem confusing.  You are telling me to download the norton, run it but then remove it when I am done.  Is that correct?   Or are you just telling me to remove it from the desktop and not to uninstall it?  I'm a bit confundido.

There are paarts of Norton leftover on the computer and that tool will remove them. Yes delete it once you are done.

Final steps and advice.

• Click START then RUN
  
• Now type Combofix /u in the runbox
  
• Make sure there's a space between Combofix and /u
• Then hit Enter.

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The above procedure will:

• Delete:
• ComboFix and its associated files and folders.
• VundoFix backups, if present
• The C:\Deckard folder, if present
• The C:_OtMoveIt folder, if present

• 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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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.

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

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.