Thanks & a few quick questions

Many thanks for such a comprehensive, generous site. And thanks to all the authors of the free software.

It may amuse (or horrify?!) you to know that I've been using my PC with no protection for 7 years until a few days ago when I finally came under obvious attack from CoolWebSearch.

Thank goodness I found your site and have installed your recommended programs, and all seems ship-shape now. I found 338 viruses/spyware etc. Can anyone better that? - without deliberately setting out to get them!

Just wanted to ask:

Spyware blaster doesn't run a mini icon in the task bar as the other programs do. I have enabled protection, which is all it says is required. But is it opening each time I boot up? There doesn't seem to be an option to select this. Ctrl+Alt+Del doesn't reveal any file to be running which looks like Spyware blaster as far as I know.

Also what is the file rundll32.exe? ZoneAlarm asked permission for this file to access the Internet which I allowed as it didn't look like I was going to get on line at all if I didn't allow it, so I guessed it must be an essential and legitamate access.

 

Rundll32.exe is connected with windows OS and is the file which executes dll's and places their libraries in memory. As long as it is located within the correct directory. As ever, there is the odd worm which creates a file with the same name, but that seems to be the norm these days.

As for 338 spyware bits n bobs... hehehe! Have you grabbed WebRoot's spysweeper ... the trial period is 30days and i have to say i've found it amazing for diging out wee beasties.

CoolWebSearch is one which makes the infected sit n take notice! lol, Either that or take the computer outside for a good slapping. Well done on getting rid. People here are pretty much on the ball on removing all the variants.

Alistair