Watching as something disables Norton?

Dollinger · Oct 7, 2004

Not amused at all. As I sit at my computer perusing the Major Geeks site for answers to my bug problems, I watch as a big red X disables my Norton Anti-Virus, and shortly thereafter, slaps another X on my Norton Internet Security. I ran a program from PCTools and know now I have bugs. Have been trying to download (keep getting disconnected) some things from your site to address this. Did not want to post any questions until I had tried everything and searched your site thoroughly for answers, but actually watching this disable right before my eyes (as well as removng the option to "enable" ... well, I need some expert help.
Thank you.

Dollinger · Oct 7, 2004

Edit button gone for first post.
Just to add ... have been getting countless blank emails and recently got an email FROM myself ... ready for a good laugh? ... I contacted Bellsouth and they said it was very serious and I should report it to the State Attorney's office and to the FBI ... and am I obedient? Yes.

Kodo · Oct 7, 2004

yikes.. sounds like you do have a nasty bug.
Please take the time to read our tutorial. It should help you rid yourself of this malware.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
MajorGeeks Support Forums - READ ME FIRST: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal.

Dollinger · Oct 7, 2004

I have tried, but it seems bug wont let me. It toys with me when I attempt the links on this site, and if I manage to actually get through, it disrupts my connection so I cannot complete the process. I will try again and get back to you.
Thanks.

chaslang · Oct 7, 2004

You should bring up Task Manager by hitting CTRL-ALT-DEL and shut down all unrecognized processes. Also end all unnecessary items you see in your system tray. And then try to download some tools in the link Kodo gave you. Also attempt the online scans. And try to download and run Stinger.

Just be careful what you shut down. You did not mention your OS either.
But for Win2K & XP systems processes like smss.exe, multiple svchost.exe, winlogon.exe, spoolsv.exe, lsass.exe, explorer.exe are all normal.

Dollinger · Oct 7, 2004

Appears first that the worst I had so far was Xupiter, and I simply deleted the program it was in - not a program we use. Second, after numerous emails back and forth between Symantec and I regarding the fact that the product was not working, all I ever got were the standard answers. So I finally did the uninstall/reinstall, and an unknown bug attempts to block it 10 times, succeeding in the end. I go into safe mode to download, and system no longer sees my cd-rom to do the download, run a few scans, delete a few unusual things while in safe mode ... back to normal, install Norton without a hitch ... and pow, the x's come back to disable the program. Turns out, after all that, when I installed Norton on the new hard drive, it went on as a "trial" and it expired. Symantec was turning it off. Because the program was not running properly to begin with, it never popped up with a notice and Symantec did not recognize that it had already been activated back in January. So now it is back to the original reason I landed on this site ... bugs, and trying to understand why Norton finds nothing in my system while Spyware Doctor finds 30 ...
Thanks for the info

chaslang · Oct 7, 2004

Depends on what you are finding and what exact program from Norton you are talking about. Virus applications don't find spyware, adware, etc very well and spyware applications don't pick up on lots of viruses and trojans. You will also find that if you compare Ad-Aware, SpyBot S&D, Spy Sweeper etc. They can all find things the others do not. Sometime enable different scan options changes what they find too. This is the main reason we recommend scanning with multiple programs. No single program is good enough. And also one other note sometimes programs can show you a bunch of items that another program did not but you have to look at what they really are. In many cases they are nothing other then harmless cookies or MRU's.

Dollinger · Oct 8, 2004

I am on Win98 (waiting for replacement cd for XP I purchased, so I loaded the old quick restore to the new hard drive) I have NIS 2004(has all the bells and whistles, supposedly). I loaded it first, before taking this party online, expecting that Norton "had my back". I had bugs right out of the starting gate and Norton did not want to function. I guess I expected that since it is the top rated software for protection, it would do more, but it seems I am better off with the online links you have directed me to. I always trusted AdAware for the commercial stuff, but wanted the whole shebang ... firewall, email protection, etc. I guess my concern is, what AM I getting from Norton if all these things are getting past it, and what else can I do to PREVENT infection so I am not always hunting an infection? I ill spend some more time on this site for answers to that. BTW, I did what you said and shut off everything, then went to remove things while in safe mode. I think that is what made it possible to get a good install on Norton. Thanks.

chaslang · Oct 8, 2004

You're welcome. You'll get a load of arguments here about Norton being the best. Most of us consider it bloatware (too many processes running taking up to much of you system resources) that you have to pay for.

And here is my canned speech you may find useful:

Make sure you get your system protected from reoccurrence of issues like this. Here are some simple steps you can take to reduce the chance of infection in the future. I strongly encourage you to do them all.

1. Visit Windows Update:
Make sure that you have all the Critical Updates recommended for your operating system and IE. The first defense against infection is a properly
patched OS.
a. Windows Update: http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp
Do this at least once a month.
b. Never add any site to your Trusted Sites Zone.

2) Anti Virus: make sure you have one and keep it updated. Here are some good free ones:
http://majorgeeks.com/download1968.html Avast
http://majorgeeks.com/download886.html AVG
The top two hands down. Better than Norton or McAfee!
Only run ONE AV!

3) Firewall: if you don't have one get one of these below. The last two are free versions:
Don't care if your on dial up or High Speed....you must have a firewall
http://majorgeeks.com/download3356.html Sygate Personal Firewall Free
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download388.html ZoneAlarmFree
http://majorgeeks.com/download738.html Kerio Personal Firewall

4) Get a Temp File/Cookies/index.dat cleaner
http://majorgeeks.com/download4191.html CCleaner (Crap Cleaner)

5) SpyWare Prevention (These prevent, they are not scanners. Scanners are listed later.)
http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html SpyWare Blaster
http://majorgeeks.com/download3045.html SpyWare Guard

6) SpyWare Scanners/Removers
http://majorgeeks.com/download2471.html SpyBot (Use the Immunize feature. I don't activate the TeaTimer)
http://majorgeeks.com/download506.html Ad-aware SE
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4283.html VX2 Cleaner Plug-In for Ad-Aware

Also, look into replacing Microsoft Java with Sun Java and also use Mozilla FireFox in place of Internet Explorer.

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Watching as something disables Norton?

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Kodo SNATCHSQUATCH

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