Partypoker vs. 8-step fix

[Erling]

Hi there!
First of all, very tidy and informative guide!
Symptoms: Every once in a while, a PartyPoker popup would appear when I clicked a link, along with the linked page. This happened on several sites I trust, so I couldn't be them (I think).
It didn't happen too often, so it's too early to say if these scans worked - just finished - but hopefully they did.

Logs attached, along with a list of what I saw at the avast! scan summary page (didn't see any print button and didn't go peeking for log files, so I wrote it down).
To me it seems like that first (never-ending) avast! scan snatched up 4 baddies, and the rest of the programs waved the clean-flag. But I don't know.

Can you have a look at it?

Thanks in advance.

(Also, should I get one of the free Firewalls you recommend instead of the default Windows one?)

 

[kimsland]

I cannot see any trace of Partypoker on your system
If it happens again do this -> https://www.techspot.com/vb/post682762-2.html

In the mean time, you may want to update to a more secure Hosts file
There's lots of important info on that here: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
As it's difficult to see the actual download, here it is: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.zip
Important! Windows Vista requires special instructions: http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hostsvista.htm

Simply download the hosts.zip file, extract, then run mvps.bat, then restart

[Important Notice - 2K/XP/Vista Users]
In most cases a large HOSTS file (over 135 kb) tends to slow down the machine. This only occurs
in W2000 and XP. Windows 98 and Windows ME are not affected.

To resolve this issue (manually) open the "Services Editor"

Start | Run (type) "services.msc" (no quotes)
Scroll down to "DNS Client", Right-click and select: Properties
Click the drop-down arrow for "Startup type"
Select: Manual, click Apply/Ok and restart.

Then restart, and test browsing the Internet again

 

[Erling]

Thanks for the answer!
Read the post, used the internet a bit, then got a popup. I scanned (to no result) and deleted some music I recently got from a friend (I deleted what I didn't know if he had the CD for - I think he probably downloaded most of the rest, and those programs are hardly trustable to any large degree). Then I changed the hosts file as you recommended [edit: holy cow, how I love the absence of those ads on various forums, etc!], followed your other instructions and did the "if it happens again" CCleaner sweep.
As I said, it only happens once in a while when clicking a link. I'll post back tomorrow (going to bed soon) and tell you if it's gone.
Thanks again!

 

[Erling]

It seems to be fixed! Thanks a lot!

 

[kimsland]

Thanks for the update :grinthumb