Comments for Viruses: How do I keep myself safe from Viruses?

Comment from Ian Flikkema on 2008-10-15

2008-10-16T03:49:53Z

Hey Leo,
My computer recently wouldnt let me access the task manager, so I started following the steps on your page http://ask-leo.com/why_is_my_task_manager_disabled_and_how_do_i_fix_it.html
Then discovered the run button is gone. Then it wouldn't let me go into regedit. Any suggestions. Already downloaded activescan 2.0

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A comment on: Viruses: How do I keep myself safe from Viruses?

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Comment from Leo on 2008-07-10

2008-07-10T16:28:45Z

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csrss.exe lsass.exe smss.exe are all part of Windows. Do
*not* remove them.

Leo

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Comment from Yangyadatta on 2008-07-10

2008-07-10T10:05:28Z

Please help me
In my computer there is a big problem

in my task manager there are 3 programs running called csrss.exe lsass.exe smss.exe i dont know these are unknown programs my OS is XP Service pack 2

i think they are using my computer and when i use my computer it hangs after sometime(at least 10 minutes i can use) after system formatting they also remain here they cannot be removed by my any work i cannot remove them

can u have a simple complex any solution to remove these file

i also want to know that is these above programs are come with XP cd sp2

i usually take files from pen drive from cyber net

i collect net files by pen drive
i think they are really viruses

plese sent me some solution to remove them

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Comment from Leo on 2008-05-25

2008-05-25T16:46:07Z

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If you mean svchost.exe, that's an expected and important
windows process. More here:
http://ask-leo.com/what_is_svchost_and_why_is_there_more_than_one_copy_running.html

If you mean svc.host.exe (with an extra dot), then I'm not
sure. All I can recommend is that you run up-to-date
anti-virus and anti-spyware scans.

Leo

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Comment from rober on 2008-05-23

2008-05-24T04:33:18Z

I have been reading through your website and have already learned so much. I am writing because I have a process "svc.host.exe" runing in my task manager, can you PLEASE walk me through removing the cause for this > Thank You, Robert

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Comment from Seema on 2007-07-09

2007-07-10T05:20:30Z

There are 6 svchost.exe running on my system.My system gets very slow.Three are in small case like "svchost.exe" and three like "SVCHOST.EXE".Is this virus.How to get rid of these .Please help.Thanks

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Comment from Pattie on 2007-06-07

2007-06-07T14:26:32Z

I have: about:blank...how to get rid of this?

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Comment from George Arauz on 2007-05-09

2007-05-10T00:54:56Z

So far using Firefox has been a big help in avoiding SOME viruses. But some still get in.

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Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2007-04-02

2007-04-02T17:54:38Z

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Probably has nothing to do with your Mac or a virus. See this article:
http://ask-leo.com/someones_sending_from_my_email_address_how_do_i_stop_them.html

Leo
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Comment from Sharon on 2007-04-02

2007-04-02T08:55:35Z

I've got a Mac. I didn't think it was possible to catch a virus that would steal my email address. But I just got spam sent from my email address to me! What can I do about it?

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Comment from Carl on 2007-01-26

2007-01-27T02:18:10Z

In reality, although everybody says that you need to run a virus program, you do not. I have been online for 7 years now, and have never downloaded a virus. The easiest thing to do is NEVER open a ".exe" file, or open any attachments that come from anybody using Outlook Express. I keep my computer totally up to date (imagine an operating system that is so buggy it needs over 80 updates), but, still the same, it's up to date. I update and run Spyware prgrams (Ad-aware,Spybot, and Windows Defender). I do NOT pay for Spysweeper, as it is not worth it. No program will find ALL spyware (as evident when I run my scans). Lastly, anybosy who knows ANYTHING about the Internet will NOT use IE (any version), but instead will use Firefox (Isn't that little "Click to activate and use this control" pop-up annoying?)? That only occurs with IE, and only because Microsoft lost a lawsuit relating to it's indescrimate use of Active-X controls. A long time ago, I DID use a virus program, but my machine became so slow due to updates and scans that I gave up on them. I've been always been virus free - just by being aware and careful.

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Comment from Brian on 2007-01-18

2007-01-19T03:02:50Z

anyone know what a file called content.IE5\davwafEB\[1].HTM IS? Norton found it for me.

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Comment from Kris on 2006-08-27

2006-08-28T01:21:08Z

recently i was sent a message on aim asking me if it was ok to put a pic of me on myspace and it had a link not realizing this was a virus i responded. everytime i open my aim it will starting sending this same message to everyone on by buddylist.i have scanned for virus on mcafee several times it says it has fixed the problem but it doesnt. 2viruses that keep showing are hacker defender.gen and backdoor-diz any advice

Posted by: kelsey at August 3, 2006 08:28 AM

i am having the same exact problem, i have mcafee spydoctor adaware xoftspy windows defender and a few others and yet it keeps showing back up, please tell me, is there a way to permanently remove it??

thank you, Kris

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Comment from kelsey on 2006-08-03

2006-08-03T15:28:31Z

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Comment from David Guzman on 2006-07-24

2006-07-24T18:30:40Z

I'm using McAfree securitycenter software. Is this a good one to use??? I have a DellXPS 400 for about a 3 months, and I like my machine to be well kept.

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Comment from Betty on 2006-03-27

2006-03-27T14:01:20Z

Hi: How do I delete an e-mail in Outlook before I open it. I got some really bad viruses because I couldn't delete e-mails that I didn't recognize unless I opened them. I had my computer dumped and have the newest Norton. I look for updates for it daily.

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Comment from Leo on 2006-03-20

2006-03-20T17:15:45Z

Spyweeeper is an anti-spyware program, you still need an anti-virus program.

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Comment from John on 2006-03-20

2006-03-20T14:34:38Z

I recently installed Spysweeper and removed Norton from my 2005 dell computer. I heard spysweeper is not enough and I should also have 2005 or 2006 norton loaded back on my computer. Is this true and if it is what is the reason?--Thanks

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Comment from margaret frost on 2006-01-31

2006-02-01T00:05:24Z

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS NEW VIRUS THREAT? THE ONE THAT IS SET TO HIT ON FRI THE 3RD? I THINK THAT IS WHAT HIT MY COMPUTER EARLY IN JANUARY AND THE THING HAS NOT BEEN RIGHT SINCE EVEN THOUGH I DID A SYSTEM RECOVERY. MY TECH TELLS ME THAT THERE ARE PROBABLY STILL REMNANTS LEFT. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS NEW ONE.

MFROST

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Comment from william on 2006-01-29

2006-01-29T13:52:14Z

Pc Mag jan 21 rates Zone alarm #1 Your buddy David L. likes Panda. Kim K. touts Spy sweeper. David says Spy Sweeper NG. You don't mention Zone Alarm. I just got a new computer and want to install the best anti-virus program. I had Panda 2006 on my old computer. Norton updates messed up my computer. I also had Spy sweeper. I have David's recomendations on spy and PC-cilln (trial) the came with my new dell. What do you think about Zone Alarm. Bill

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Comment from Doug Hagan on 2006-01-28

2006-01-28T15:50:32Z

Unless I missed it, your list of anti-virus s/w vendors did not mention www.eset.com's NOD32. We used to be Norton fans, but Norton 2004 (or 2005) updgrade created some havoc on more than one Windows machine I tend to baby-sit. NOD32's credentials appear, first, valid, and, second, impressive. Any thoughts about this one? Tks!

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Comment from Margaret Frost on 2006-01-25

2006-01-25T23:33:52Z

Thank you I have had problems galore with the Norton updates and in fact have to take the pc in for a good going over. I just recently got my card for pay pal and as soon as I activate the thing, I am going to buy you a cup of coffee.
I will probably end up buying you a house some day with all the questions I always ask. Lol
What a great site this is. Thanks again

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Comment from Leo on 2006-01-24

2006-01-25T06:29:11Z

Well, there isn't some magical number. I have LOTS of free things on my machine and all is well. Others download just one and *poof*. It depends, naturally, on WHAT you are downloading and installing. As you've seen with Norton, even the for-pay programs can have problems. (I've gotten several reports of Norton's 2006 update causing problems. I expect the Norton site to have a fix for it someday.

In general, only download from trustworthy sources. Look for trustworthy recommendations. If you're not sure, don't download and install.

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Comment from MARGARET FROST on 2006-01-24

2006-01-25T03:58:15Z

I meant Trend Micros housecall not trend home. E gad.

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Comment from Margaret Frost on 2006-01-24

2006-01-25T03:52:56Z

I am a new pc owner, bought it in 6/05 and just today had to do a complete system recovery (destructive) as everything our tech support had us do did not work. It all started when I tried to update my Norton, something went wrong and that was that. Since I didnt have any bond to my files, I let them all go.
Okay here is my question: I have Norton and Webroot. My tech told me about hometrend, but how many free things can I download and have them be compatible with what I have already purchased and installed on my pc? H E L PPPPP!

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Comment from ananamous on 2006-01-24

2006-01-24T15:21:25Z

how do i keep my computer away from viruses? well i think i know what it is first are computer is getting old by that I mean we need new updates because are old ones can't do us any good. here's a site www.freewebs.com/automaticupdate best site ever!!! and i think in every file there has to be a virus is that true?

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Comment from James Grimes on 2005-12-15

2005-12-15T19:32:50Z

As an information systems student at a community college, I am asked by several people (after learning from my mom that I am, "into computers") about viruses, worms, etc-and none of this is hard to do. Just get the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, Microsoft Antispyware, AVG, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Ad Aware SE. Download them, do any updating necessary, and, if possible, keep them on constant scan. Doing this, and not downloading attachments from emails will keep you safe. Just use your common sense around computers.

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