As to my AVG only situation from a post prior to this, I reinstalled

[yy4me]

Spybot S&D and SpywareBlaster last night.

Ran Spybot right away. Contrary to my computer guy who said all I need is AVG, this is what Spybot turned up:

1)BurstMedia 2 entries Browser
2)Microsoft Windows Security Center Firewall Bypass 2 Entries Security
3)Refpron 4 Entries Trojans
4)Web Trend Lines 1 entry Browser.

Except for the scary word "trojans", I have no idea what any of it means but I did the "fix Problems" and it all went away. So much for needing only AVG.

I guess I am ready to install the AVG 8 upgrade but things like this always make me pause because, as you all know, I know not what I do.

In reply to a suggestion about the new wording on the "turn off option that just appeared a week or 2 ago, I have long since set things so that I am notified before updating, this wording is new.


As suggested, I tried "start-Run gpedit.msc and the machine tells me it cannot find it. I forget the exact wording of the message. To any who did not read my prior post, there is a new option on my screen as I shut down. Small wording at the base of the shut down, restart screen says that I must click in the small printed line below to shut down, otherwise the computer will automatically install updates. If someone else uses my computer and does not notice this, I'll end up with programs I don't want like IE7 or SP3. I cannot find another way to change that and get rid of the wording so that I can just turn this thing off as I used to.

I tried CCleaner some time ago and found I did not understand what to do with the checked info. If I went with the "safe" options, this machine did not seem to respond correctly when it was done. That one scars me because of all the warnings I read about messing with the registry.

This security business should be more simple to protect the world from people like me that try their best and still do not "get it"

Thanks to all, did I do the right thing in reinstalling?

[charlie]

1. You must be running a Home edition

Sorry, I assumed you were using XP Pro or Vista Ultimate. There is no Group Policy Editor in Home versions.

The only other suggestion I can think of is to go to Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Security Center --> Manage security settings for Automatic Updates. Tick the "Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them" option. You may have to reboot one more time for it to take effect. See if that doesn't get rid of the install on shutdown option.

[Seldona]

2. Anti-spyware couldn't hurt I guess.

Some anti-virus software deals with it, others don't. I don't think there is a program out there that will catch everything.

Hijack This is another excellent program, and the people at their forums are extremely helpful. There are guides there on how to scan, what to save, and what to post so those who know can look at all the gobbleygoop and tell you what is all going on. I don't recommend making changes without someone knowledgeable, or posting your info in their forums.

Personally I have found the best anti-anything software is format c: /fs:ntfs, and a good ghost image. NOT recommended if you have no experience though. heh

Not sure why you don't want to install your updates though, like SP3 or the latest IE. I don't use IE, but I keep everything Microsoft updated. Without it all it's like a bicycle inner-tube made of Swiss Cheese, many, many, holes.

A good firewall is a great idea imo. A hardware firewall is best, but has the biggest investment in money and set-up. The next best thing is a software fw.

Windows fw is crap. A decent free one is zonealarm. There are others you can research to see what works for you. Just make sure it is capable of blocking ingoing and outgoing traffic. Nice to know what is attempting to talk to the internet on your machine.

Even the best anti-virus and/or anti-spyware is only as good as the latest update, nor does anything catch everything. I format about every three months whether it needs it or not. More often if someone is using my computer and has bad surfing habits.

Hope that helps.

[Why Syzygy]

3. Are you certain

that message is from Windows/Microsoft?

If Charlie's tip doesn't turn it off, can you post the exact wording of the message?
And, it's XP?

I read your other thread, and I would be livid! A pro should never remove programs without asking the computer owner first.
Bad bad bad.

The best professionals will help you gain mastery for yourself, give you choices, and not take all the responsibility from you and make their own decisions!

He should be glad I'm not his customer :grr:

[yy4me]

4. I have had the updates set at "Notify me but do not install". Here

is something I just found. First,

The strange message I was getting appeared at Shut down time.
Went to Start> Turn off Computer
(pop-up box with options: cancel, turn off, restart)

Under the Turn off square was this message(close anyway) clicking on Turn Off will automatically update your computer. Click on printed message(underlined) to shut off without updating)

I just decided to shut down the computer to get the exact wording and it is now gone. I cannot explain it. I have not changed anything. Ofter Charlie's reply, I went to the updating options page to see where I had the machine set but did not change it.

Microsoft is trying to force me to update to IE7 etc. Every time I turn on the computer I get the pop-up box on the bottom right telling me updates are ready. I'm about ready to put a stop to that and just hope I remember to check every few days to see if I have any updates.I chose the custom option because I want to keep things as they are.

I was really angry to find the trojans when I ran the reinstalled SpyBot S&D. The other things I mentioned are greek to me. What is a Refron anyway?

Edit: The computer guy knows I don't know what I'm doing so maybe he thought removing the security programs would make my life easier---or something.

[Why Syzygy]

5. So, you're not getting the

shut down message any longer?

I don't have anything about Windows updates automated. I do system maintenance several times a month, and check with MS on one of those occasions. I've never had any issues. When I used AVG, however, most scans showed a Trojan had slipped by. Most of us in this group have opted to use another AV rather than AVG.

Refpron is just one type of Trojan. They can have any *name*. I suppose it's up to the crank who writes them. Unlike a "virus", which is limited to your machine, and those it infects with file transfers, a Trojan uses your Internet capability.
Wiki:
The Trojan horse, also known as trojan, in the context of computing and software, describes a class of computer threats (malware) that appears to perform a desirable function but in fact performs undisclosed malicious functions that allow unauthorized access to the host machine, giving them the ability to save their files on the user's computer or even watch the user's screen and control the computer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_horse_(computing)

These links are from a forum I trust. Take it slow, and just a little at a time. It won't take a lot to bring yourself up to speed on how to protect your computer. Once everything is set up, it takes very little time to maintain a bug free environment. It can save you money if nothing else.

MajorGeeks is a free tech site, but they request anyone posting an issue use these procedures FIRST:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Windows XP:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=139313

[charlie]

6. It only shows when you have pending updates

If you've applied or rejected all the queued updates, the install and shutdown option doesn't appear.