Uninstall
Little Registry Cleaner.
Registry cleaners/optimizers are not recommended for several reasons:
- Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications that can damage the registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable.
The Windows registry is a central repository (database) for storing configuration data, user settings and machine-dependent settings, and options for the operating system. It contains information and settings for all hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whenever a user makes changes to settings, file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in this repository. The registry is a crucial component because it is where Windows "remembers" all this information, how it works together, how Windows boots the system and what files it uses when it does. The registry is also a vulnerable subsystem, in that relatively small changes done incorrectly can render the system inoperable. For a more detailed explanation, read Understanding The Registry.
- Not all registry cleaners are created equal. There are a number of them available but they do not all work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad entry". One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause problems when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.
- Not all registry cleaners create a backup of the registry before making changes. If the changes prevent the system from booting up, then there is no backup available to restore it in order to regain functionality. A backup of the registry is essential BEFORE making any changes to the registry.
- Improperly removing registry entries can hamper malware disinfection and make the removal process more difficult if your computer becomes infected. For example, removing malware related registry entries before the infection is properly identified can contribute to system instability and even make the malware undetectable to removal tools.
- The usefulness of cleaning the registry is highly overrated and can be dangerous. In most cases, using a cleaner to remove obsolete, invalid, and erroneous entries does not affect system performance but it can result in "unpredictable results".
Unless you have a particular problem that requires a registry edit to correct it, I would suggest you leave the registry alone. Using registry cleaning tools
unnecessarily or
incorrectly could lead to
disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.
Update
Adobe Flash Player:
http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
Make sure you UN-check
Yes, install McAfee Security Scan Plus
NOTE 1: Beginning with Adobe Flash Version 11.3, the universal installer includes the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the Flash Player.
NOTE 2: While installing make sure you UN-check any extra garbage which wants to install alongside.
Update
Adobe Reader
You can download it from
https://www.techspot.com/downloads/2083-adobe-reader-dc.html
After installing the latest
Adobe Reader,
uninstall all previous versions (if present).
Note. If you already have Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition installed or do not wish to have it installed
UNcheck the box which says Also Download Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition.
Alternatively, you can uninstall Adobe Reader (33.5 MB), download and install
Foxit PDF Reader(3.5MB) from
HERE.
It's a much smaller file to download and uses a lot less resources than Adobe Reader.
Note: When installing FoxitReader, make sure to UN-check any pre-checked toolbar, or any other garbage.
1. Update your
Java version here:
http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp
Note 1: UNCHECK any pre-checked toolbar and/or software offered with the Java update. The pre-checked toolbars/software are not part of the Java update.
Note 2: The
Java Quick Starter (JQS.exe) adds a service to improve the initial startup time of Java applets and applications. If you don't want to run another extra service, go to Start > Control Panel > Java > Advanced > Miscellaneous and uncheck the box for Java Quick Starter. Click OK and restart your computer.
2. Now, we need to remove old Java version and its remnants...
Download
JavaRa to your desktop and unzip it.
- Run JavaRa.exe (Vista and 7 users! Right click on JavaRa.exe, click Run As Administrator), pick the language of your choice and click Select. Then click Remove Older Versions.
- Accept any prompts.
- Do NOT post JavaRa log.
=================================
Your computer is clean
1. We need to reset system restore to prevent your computer from being accidentally reinfected by using some old restore point(s). We'll create fresh, clean restore point, using following OTL script:
Run
OTL
- Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following:
Code:
:OTL
:Commands
[purity]
[emptytemp]
[EMPTYFLASH]
[emptyjava]
[CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
[Reboot]
- Then click the Run Fix button at the top
- Let the program run unhindered, reboot the PC when it is done
- Post resulting log.
2. Now, we'll remove all tools, we used during our cleaning process
Clean up with
OTL:
- Double-click OTL.exe to start the program.
- Close all other programs apart from OTL as this step will require a reboot
- On the OTL main screen, press the CLEANUP button
- Say Yes to the prompt and then allow the program to reboot your computer.
If you still have any tools or logs leftover on your computer you can go ahead and delete those off of your computer now.
3. Make sure
Windows Updates are current.
4.
If any trojans, rootkits or bootkits were listed among your infection(s), make sure, you change all of your on-line important passwords (bank account(s), secured web sites, etc.) immediately!
5. Check if your browser plugins are up to date.
Firefox -
https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/plugincheck/
other browsers:
https://browsercheck.qualys.com/ (click on "Launch a quick scan now" link)
6. Download, and install
WOT (Web OF Trust):
http://www.mywot.com/. It'll warn you (in most cases) about dangerous web sites.
7. Run
Malwarebytes "Quick scan" once in a while to assure safety of your computer.
8. Run
Temporary File Cleaner (TFC) weekly.
9. Download and install
Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI):
https://www.techspot.com/downloads/4898-secunia-personal-software-inspector-psi.html. The Secunia PSI is a FREE security tool designed to detect vulnerable and out-dated programs and plug-ins which expose your PC to attacks. Run it weekly.
10. (optional) If you want to keep all your programs up to date, download and install
FileHippo Update Checker.
The Update Checker will scan your computer for installed software, check the versions and then send this information to FileHippo.com to see if there are any newer releases.
11. (
Windows XP only) Run defrag at your convenience.
12. When installing\updating ANY program, make sure you always select "
Custom " installation, so you can UN-check any possible "drive-by-install" (
foistware), like toolbars etc., which may try to install along with the legitimate program. Do NOT click "Next" button without looking at any given page.
13. Read:
How did I get infected?, With steps so it does not happen again!:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic2520.html
Simple and easy ways to keep your computer safe and secure on the Internet:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/keep-your-computer-safe-online/
14. Please, let me know, how your computer is doing.
