DealAssistant.exe & oulwsv.exe

[yurka]

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html

I read the above and now have more questions:
1. Should I install three *ANTI-...* programs?
2. Should I install updates recommended by Secunia, now and in the future?
3. Should I follow *Calendarofupdates recommendations?
4. The only firewall I have is that of WindowsXP Pro. Should I install another one? If so, on top of it? Or as a replacement? As an addition?
5. I've been using Avast! for several years now and is satisfied with it - I don't remember a single virus found by its scanner - it's alerts me right away when one is about to install itself (On-Access Protection), so now I don't even run its scanner. Should I install a different one instead?
I realize that I am a big headache and use your time. If it matters, I am a volunteer myself, although of a different type, of course.

[Broni]

1. Try "Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)"
2. Trojans presence applies to you.
3. You should run TFC weekly.

[yurka]

1. Try "Register or reinstall the files for me now (Recommended)"

Sorry, this phrase is a complete mystery to me. What are you talking about?
And what about my other questions - Avast, firewall, etc.?

[Broni]

Sorry, this phrase is a complete mystery to me. What are you talking about?

Please, re-read your question in your reply #45.

I didn't see your other reply, when I posted, so...

1. AV program and firewall are perfectly enough for daily security.
Run Super and Bytes on occasion.
2. Yes, check Secunia on occasion.
3. Yes, check that too.
4. Windows firewall is perfectly fine.
5. Avast is very good. Using it myself.

[yurka]

Thank you.

Run Super and Bytes on occasion

OK, lets say once-a-month or bimonthly. I can run it but I cannot analyze the logfiles. Would you do it for me, i.e. I should C+P files here or is there online analyzer or could I do it by other means? I wouldn't like to be too obtrusive; you spent a whale of time on me already.

[Broni]

There is not much to analyze with Super and 'Bytes. Whatever is found, should be cured.
Surely, if you have any question, please, feel free to ask back here

[yurka]

It was my bad, I meant HijackThis. You asked me to delete less than 50% of its Logfile findings. Are there some rules, e. g. "always delete ALL O18 items", etc., or an expert should take a look? In the latter case, I'd need your help.
After your lessons and reading this: http://http://www.bleepingcomputer.c...topic2520.html I am becoming very cautious (before I always relied on Avast, but apparently some malware can slip through). Although a very reliable source recommends them: *Clean Windows XP (Free)*, *Spyware Malware Remover*, *GoToMyPC*, they look like ads, and I became super-cautious. What's your advice?
The site although recommends this: http://www.windowsupdate.com*.
Should I download EVERYTHING WU offers? Some updates are very specific and I don't want to overburden my C:\ drive with things I'll never need e. g. "Addition to the Japanese fonts" (just an example, I don't type in Japanese yet :-) ). But some are just too technical for me to undestand. Am I allowed to ask here which ones are worthwhile? Or some/most can be later uninstalled?
*Calendarofevents* offers these: *Malware Remover*, *BitDefender Official Site* and *Desktop Mgmt Software*.
Many of those suggestion either duplicate ones I already have, while some, like *Desktop MgmtSoftware* are superfluous - I am able to manage my destop myself.
I'd really appreciate your opinion (and of others, of course).
TIA.

[Broni]

Are there some rules, e. g. "always delete ALL O18 items", etc., or an expert should take a look?

It's better not to touch HJT, unless you're really familiar with it. You can always ask questions here.

before I always relied on Avast, but apparently some malware can slip through

There is NO 100% fool-proof security program.

Should I download EVERYTHING WU offers?

Windows should be kept up to date. If you something obvious, you don't need, like "Japanese fonts", you can surely skip it, but most should be installed.
Also, NEVER install any non-Micro$oft update through WU (like let's say, driver update for your video card). M$ has a long history of screwing those things up.
Yes, any update can be uninstalled.

[yurka]

My god, you are fast!
Two more questions (I hope, final ones):
You said

NEVER install any non-Micro$oft update through WU (like let's say, driver update for your video card). M$ has a long history of screwing those things up.

M$, as far as I know, NEVER offers anything non-M$. I was offered 3d party Driver Updaters, but usually I rely on drivers themselves; I remember sometimes a driver informs me that "new" update is available.
And what about antimalware stuff offered by *Bleeping Computer* and *Calendar*:
many of them appear to duplicate other programs I use, like *NoAdware" and such. I know that more than one AV program is not desirable - no added security and they "do not like each other". Isn't it true for Anti-Malware ones.
So far the PC appears slightly slightly faster but so far I did not use any non-MS programs, like iTunes, Lightscribe, etc.
Will keep you posted re: any news.

[Broni]

M$, as far as I know, NEVER offers anything non-M$.

They do.

And what about antimalware stuff offered by *Bleeping Computer* and *Calendar*:

Don't worry about it. You got, all you need: AV, firewall, Super, 'Bytes and WOT.
Plus....your brain

[yurka]

I ran all antimalware family I now have, mostly trying to establish (for myself) optimal periodicity of scans; SAS suggests at least once/mo while others appear mum. I will try to run them once/wk for a few weeks, and see if they catch anything. It’s been a week or so since I installed some of them, on Broni’s advice. A few show me their findings and simply ask to OK their removal (Avast warns immediately upon detecting anything malicious, so there is no need to run periodic scans), but some show logfiles which I don’t understand. Once I noticed Process Lasso mentioned but Process Lasso is one of my programs; its website claims that

Process Lasso is an automated Windows process (program) management and optimization utility. By managing the programs running on your computer, Process Lasso increases system responsiveness and helps to prevents system stalls

. … and more. Unless somebody tells me otherwise, I’d like to keep it. But this one was an exception, I don’t understand logfiles in general. I feel very grateful to Broni and all of you for your time and effort: I cannot abuse Broni on a weekly basis. Maybe there is a manual or a database of malware I could use to handle logfiles myself?
Now I have a small folder where the results of my last cleaning job are stored. If anyone is interested, I’ll post it here.

[Train]

Look at you last hjt log, print it out.

Compare it to new logs.

AV, firewall, Super, 'Bytes and what was given me at birth are what I use.

SAS and bytes, run weekly until you get the feel of them and compare each's log to teh clean logs above.

[Broni]

It's always a good idea to double check, what is about to be removed.
If any doubt, upload file in question to http://www.virustotal.com/ for security check.

[yurka]

Train:
1.

Look at you last hjt log, print it out.

I don't have it any more, as folder "My Documents" (where I saved it) which was a subfolder of Windows' My Documents, mysteriously disappeared on Saturday - see MW doe's not open in General and Business SW Forum, my yesterday post. If interested, I have some new hypotheses about it. BTW, is there any common procedure (e. g. in MW, (or similar to that of Yahoo! mail which l allows you to eliminate duplicate entries in Contacts/Addresses) and the click on button Remove new lines and keep duplicates?

AV, firewall, Super, 'Bytes and what was given me at birth are what I use

I have Avast!, 'Bytes, Windows firewall, WOT in my browser, and some other: Ad-Aware, NoAdware, and now Highjack This. If you think those are superfluous, let me know. Finally, the logfile of HjT could not be copied (or I forgot how to do it), so I saved SnagIt Screenshot of it. Can it be posted here?

SAS and bytes, run weekly until you get the feel of them and compare each's log to teh clean logs above.

I am lost. "above" - in this thread some time ago?
Broni,

It's always a good idea to double check, what is about to be removed

You mean entries in logfiles? To (double) check how? Will creating a System Restore point help? I don't think so, as some consequences of mistakenly removing right files may not become apparent till a program will be used, which might be months away.

If any doubt, upload file in question to http://www.virustotal.com/ for security check.

I will now.

[yurka]

Train, I just saw it again:

I will let a couple other folks do the analysing, they know more about it and post what you need to do. But I am trying to get things where they can read the posts.

If even you admit that you need other people help in analyzing logfiles... Do you expect me do do better?