[Solved] Where have my missing GBs gone?

[janec]

Hello Etavares,

I removed Norton and re-installed it. It automatically installed Norton 2012.

After the problems Norton has caused I would be more than happy to try one of the others but my husband paid extra on his subscription to get my laptop covered as well and he's only just renewed so I think I'd better use it, at least until the next renewal.

I've just checked and my free space is now at 16.2GB which is absolutely wonderful. I'm assuming this is as good as it can be.

Should I keep all the programmes I downloaded while you were sorting this out in case I get the same problems again?

Many thanks & kind regards

Jane

[etavares]

Hello, janec.

 

 

Great news! In regards to the programs, It's up to you...I will have you run OTC that will clean up some of the more non-standard tools we used. YOu can keep MBAM and ERUNT if you want. You may want to uninstall JDiskReport and ESET. You can delete aswMBR.

 

I'll keep watching this thread for a week or so in case your free space starts dropping again. Just let me know.

 

 

 

 

Ok, good news. Your log appears clean. Let's clean up our mess. If your computer is running well; please do the steps listed below. At the end, I've also listed a few completely optional things you can do to further secure your computer. Safe surfing!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 1

 

 

Next, we need to remove the other tools we have used.

• Please download OTC by OldTimer and save it to you desktop
  
• If that link doesn't work, try this one.
  
• Doubleclick the http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u338/Eextremeboy/OTC_Icon.jpg icon to start the program.
  
• Then, click the big http://i517.photobucket.com/albums/u338/Eextremeboy/CleanUp.jpg button.
  
• You will get a prompt saying Begin Cleanup Process. Click Yes.
  
• Restart your computer when prompted.
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 2

 

 

We need to purge your system restore so malware is not accidently restored. First, let's create a new restore point.

1. Go to Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> System Restore.
   
2. Select Create a Restore Point and click Next.
   
3. Give the restore point a name and press create.
   
4. You'll see it work, then say that it was created sucessfully. Click Close.
   

 

 

 

 

Now, we need to remove the old, infected points using DiskCleanup.

1. Click on Start --> Run.
   
2. Type in cleanmgr into the run box and hit OK.
   
3. Select C: and press OK
   
4. Select the More Options tab.
   
5. Click on Clean up in the System Restore section..
   
6. Click OK.
   
7. You'll get a couple of prompts asking if you're sure you want do to this, select Yes and OK for them.
   
8. Disk cleanup will remove the old restore points that included the malware.
   

 

 

If you ran Defogger and disabled your emulator, please don't forget to run it again and reenable it. See the instructions here to do so.

 

 

 

 

Optional Items

 

 

Please take the time to read below to secure your machine and take the necessary steps to keep it that way.

 

 

 

 

System Still Slow?

You may wish to try StartupLite. Simply download this tool to your desktop and run it. It will explain any optional auto-start programs on your system, and offer the option to stop these programs from starting at startup. This will result in fewer programs running when you boot your system, and should improve preformance. If you are running Windows Vista or Windows 7, please right-click on the icon, and select "Run As Administrator"; otherwise it won't work.

If that does not work, you can try the steps mentioned in Slow Computer/browser? Check Here First; It May Not Be Malware

 

 

Protect yourself from malicious sites

 

 

The HOSTS file can protect you from connecting to bad sites. See The Hosts File and what it can do for you for more background.

 

 

Please download HostMan. It safeguards you with a regularly updated Hosts-file that blocks dangerous sites from opening. This adds another bit of safety while surfing the Internet. For installlation and setting up, follow these steps:

1. Double-click the Downloaded installer and install the tool to a location of your choice
   
2. Via the Startmenu, navigate to HostsMan and run the program.
   
   1. 
      
   2. Click "Hosts" in the menu
      
   3. Click "Manage Updates" in the submenu
      
   4. Out of the three, select atleast one of the three (I have MVPS Host as my main one)
      
   5. Click "Add Update." After that you will only need to click on the following button to retrieve updates:
      http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l84/SillyGerman/BleepingComputer/HostsXpert_update.png
      

[*]Click the X to exit the program.

[*]Note: If you were using a custom Hosts file you will need to replace any of those entries yourself.

 

 

 

 

Keep Windows Up to Date

It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Update your AntiVirus Software

 

 

It is imperative that you update your Antivirus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your antivirus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out. If you use a commercial antivirus program you must make sure you keep renewing your subscription. Otherwise, once your subscription runs out, you may not be able to update the programs virus definitions.

 

 

 

 

Make sure your applications have all of their updates

 

 

It is also possible for other programs on your computer to have security vulnerability that can allow malware to infect you. Therefore, it is also a good idea to check for the latest versions of commonly installed applications that are regularly patched to fix vulnerabilities. You can check these by visiting Secunia Software Inspector and Calendar of Updates.

 

 

Use a Firewall

 

 

I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. I am very serious about this and see it happen almost every day with my clients. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.

 

 

For a tutorial on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:

 

 

Understanding and Using Firewalls

 

 

Install an AntiSpyware Program

 

 

A highly recommended AntiSpyware program isMalwarebytes Anti-Malware. You can download the free version..

 

 

Installing this program will provide spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should scan your computer with an AntiSpyware program on a regular basis just as you would an antivirus software.

 

 

 

 

Update all these programs regularly

Make sure you update all your programs regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released. You can use Secunia PSI to keep track of necessary updates. It can run in the background and constantly monitor your software; although I just run it once a week manually. It will alert you when an update is available for a variety of software. It is very useful.

 

 

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

 

 

Good luck!

 

 

etavares

[janec]

Hello etavares,

I have followed all of your instructions and have also updated everything and installed the anti-malware programme. Norton comes with a firewall and I've checked and this is running. I'm afraid the Calender of Updates is beyond me, I had a look and it might as well be quantum physics. I also couldn't download Hostman but the new Norton seems to be checking all the websites I visit. My computer is running a lot faster and I have a huge amount of space (by my lowly standards) of 16.8 GB (don't laugh). I'll keep an eye on this and if it drops radically I'll be bothering you again.

MANY MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL. I really appreciate all the time you've taken to sort this out for me.

Kind regards

Jane

[KenB]

MANY MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL

Hi Jane

Good to hear that your disk space is back to something like what you expected.

I knew if anybody could fix your problem it would be etavares. :)

[etavares]

You're welcome. :) It's not the first time the issue was caused not by a virus, but by the antivirus. That being said, antivirus are still a critical line of defense and must be used. The first line of defense is knowing what files you're downloading and what links you're clicking.

 

Don't worry about the optional items above, they're just optional for those that are inclined to research them further. Glad to hear everything is running better!