This is in connection with my original post: How to deal with a persistent hacker (https://www.techrepublic.com.com/5208-1009-0.html?forumID=101&threadID=329469&tag=results;CR54)
Before I totally reformat my computer, I need to make sure I’ve done enough troubleshooting. Please help me diagnose this.
__________________________________________
PROBLEMS: (Problems 1, 3, 7 are still persistent even after troubleshoot)
1. Everytime I log in to my email account, the settings are already changed (Instead of Yahoo classic, it runs on All New Yahoo; Password invalid on mail but valid on Y!Msgr).
2. When I tried submitting a report to Yahoo, Firefox hangs and forces me to restart session.
3. Everytime I visit legit antivirus/antimalware sites, Firefox hangs.
4. Everytime I turn the computer on, it hangs and I have to reboot it each time.
5. Can’t install two-way firewall (see details below).
6. Privacy tool and antikeylogger tool have mysteriously disappeared on my Programs list (see details on Extra Privacy tools below).
7. Aside from the malware symptoms, the most disturbing part of the problem is the harassment I’m getting from the attackers in real life.
I tried the following ANTIMALWARE TOOLS:
1. MalwareBytes Antimalware — no threats detected
2. SuperAntispyware — 56 infections — already removed
3. Spybot Search and Destroy — 3 or 6 persistent tracking cookies — removed
4. Advanced SystemCare — still using, reports a number of infections occasionally, removed each time but doesn’t seem to solve the problem(s)
5. IOBitSecurity — still using, reports a number of infections occasionally, removed each time but doesn’t seem to solve the problem(s)
I uninstalled the first three and kept the last two because they were the most convenient to use and if I kept too many malware tools, my computer runs extremely slow.
I have also tried using the ff. INTRUSION DETECTION/PREVENTION SYSTEMS:
1. With SNORT, I couldn’t interpret the results displayed.
2. With SAX2, I have to manually find solutions to any detected intrusions, which was kind of tedious and a little confusing since I’m not that savvy in terms of computer security.
Both were uninstalled because of user inconvenience and it interfered with computer speed.
ROOTKIT REMOVAL TOOLS that I used:
1. Blacklight Rootkit Eliminator. Nothing was found.
2. RootkitRevealer. It only revealed suspicious activity on certain files and registry entries but I don’t know how to remove the ones I suspect the most (based on the time stamp and the nature of the file).
First one is now uninstalled.
ANTIVIRUS:
Avast! – When I ran it on safe mode, the virus chest only reported a scanning error (fishy?). On normal mode, it says 0 infected files.
FIREWALL: Windows Firewall — I can’t install a new one because everytime I do, the computer won’t start properly. I already tried turning the Windows one off and installing the new firewall, computer still doesn’t start properly. I only get a black screen. I wait for like, 15 mins, the screen’s still blank.
ANTIPHISHING tool: Netcraft toolbar
ANTIKEYLOGGER tool: Snoopfree –This has mysteriously disappeared on my computer. Without a trace.
EXTRA PRIVACY tools:
1. IPshield — This has mysteriously disappeared on my computer. Without a trace.
2. Tightened settings on firewall and browser
__________________________________________
Thanks for any assistance.