March | 2014 | Portage Computer Users Group

Microsoft will discontinue support for Windows XP. Many of us will continue to use XP on a number of systems. Here are some suggestions for making your Win XP computers safer.

Disconnect from the internet.
Back-up your computer.
Switch to a free Linix based operating system such as Ubuntu. Or Windows 7 ($99.00 and up on http://www.newegg.com )
Do not normally run XP as an administrator.
Install all available Win XP updates.
Stop using Internet Explorer.
Use Google or another search engine to navigate to websites because they will catch typos that can take you to bad websites.
Disinfect your computer by running the free version of Malwarebytes http://malwarebytes.org and HouseCall from http://housecall.trendmicro.com
Remove any programs that aren’t used. They may be harmless or a program that has an innocent function, but is really a program that loads your computer with malware over time.
Make sure you have an anti-virus program installed and updated. Security Essentials will be supported for another year.
Make sure MS Office (if installed) is up to date.
Use a router to connect the computer to the internet even if you just have one. (Do not use the DSL modem or Cable modem to connect directly to the internet.)
If using Firefox, use the No Script plug-in and Ghostery https://www.ghostery.com/ to block pop-ups.
Stay off the internet for a few days after April 8^th in case there are “Zero Day Attacks” just waiting for MS to not do anything about them.
Do not visit file sharing or pirate web sites or other web sites with dubious reputations.
Decline any offers of “free” help in cleaning, scanning, or speeding up your computer. Only use such products if recommended by a reliable source.

* Many of the points made were inspired by this web page and podcasts by Steve Gibson https://www.grc.com/sn/sn-446.pdf

Conduit Virus Removal March 14, 2014

Posted by Rob Gray in Uncategorized.
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Folks,

I have seen a rash of “Conduit” infections lately. Conduit is usually installed with desired free software. You should never install software from the internet using the “recommended” installation. To prevent some malware, always use the “custom” installation and decline (uncheck) any additional software and tool bars.

You can identify this infection by observing “conduit” as part of any search or search result. And, in my experience, if you find the programs

myPC backup
Driver Update
Optimizer Pro
Norton Security Scan
and find a Sync Folder shortcut on the desktop

On your computer.

Below are links to guides for removing Conduit and its traces. Before starting removal, you should turn off System Restore because these files can reinfect the computer on re-boot. Be sure to remember to turn it on again and make a restore point of the cleaned computer.

http://malwaretips.com/blogs/remove-conduit-search-virus/

http://pcsmarties.wordpress.com/methods-to-remove-conduit/

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_defender-protect_scanning/conduit-malware/62ec027f-7c2f-49b2-9ffc-cf6ecc4fb160?page=2

Cheers,
Rob