Re: Help

From: Shenan Stanley (news_helper_at_hushmail.com)
Date: 05/02/04


Date: Sun, 2 May 2004 07:16:01 -0500

Pramod Korah wrote:
> I have installed Windows XP on my system, many a times I
> am getting an error message "System Shut Down", Please
> save all your files as the system would be shutting down.
> (with a timer running for 60 seconds). This has been
> initiated by Windows NT / Authority". It also gives a
> message : A remote Procedure Call Service terminated
> unexpectedly.
>
> Why does this happen? What should I be doing?

You may have a virus.
You may want to check for Blaster.
You definitely want to look at how you secure your PC.

Check for MSBlaster:

http://www.microsoft.com/security/incident/blast.asp

Once you get there - PRINT IT.. If the shutdown message appears, click on
START, select RUN and type in the following line:

shutdown -a

and click OK.

That will abort the shutdown and you can continue cleaning the machine.

You also may have SASSER:
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sasser.worm.html
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sasser.b.worm.html

There are removal instructions there (including a tool to help you.)

Then secure your system and keep it protected/updated by following these
tips:

You may have spyware/adware infesting your machine, follow the
appropriate section for that, making sure you use at least
THREE of the tools I list to scan and clean your machine AFTER
updating them. Cleaning up spyware/adware/malware usually
solves home page hijackers as well.

Please Notice that if you use AOL, you should at least upgrade to 9.0 or
greater before doing any of the fixes. I know you can get AOL 9.0 at almost
any convenience store, gas station, super market or other retail outlet in
the world, so this should not be a problem.

Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
(It has been reported that it now works with AOL 9.0+)

Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)

Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..
(Yes - using MORE than one of these..
I recommend at least the first three. Also..
UPDATE the definitions for them before using.)

 Spybot Search and Destroy
 http://www.safer-networking.net/

 Lavasoft AdAware
 http://www.lavasoft.de

 CWSShredder
 http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

 Hijack This!
 http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

 I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
  - http://www.moosoft.com/
  - http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well. SpywareBlaster is a FANTASTIC free product, I suggest
getting this after you cleanup and keeping it updated as well....

 And Assortment of Others:
 http://spywareinfo.com/

After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW! Grisoft AntiVirus:
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about
80 to 120MB (seems to be an optimal size for the normal user)

 - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
 - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
 - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section,
   do the following:
  - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
  - Click on "Settings" and change the
    "Amount of disk space to use:" to something between 80MB
    and 120MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right now.)
  - Click OK.
  - Click on "Delete Files" and select to
    "Delete all offline contents" (the checkbox) and click
    OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10 minutes or
    more.)
- Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer
- Re-open Internet Explorer.

Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever. (If you have something
installed but never use it, uninstall it.) If you go through Control
Panel -> Add/Remove Programs and see things you seldom if ever use, it is to
your advantage to remove it.

Also, if you are tired of Web Page Pop-Ups/Unders.. You could try the
Google Toolbar.
http://toolbar.google.com/

Stop loading applications at logon.. run MSCONFIG and look under the startup
tab for things you DON'T want to startup! Search the Internet with Google
to discover what things are safe to remove and what things may even be
malware infecting your computer.

Better control your email and lessen the amount of time you spend dealing
with SPAM:
 SpamBayes
 http://sourceforge.net/projects/spambayes/
or
 Spamihilator.
 http://www.spamihilator.com

-- 
<- Shenan ->
-- 


Relevant Pages

  • Re: Home Page Problem
    ... > time was that some spyware/adware somewhere got installed, ... > didn't install nothing lately, I use Norton virus protection, ... to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser ... Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: |WINDOWSsystem32lsass.exe exception
    ... You also have no antivirus software installed. ... >prevent infection from the SASSER worm would have been on ... Install a reputable Antivirus program. ... >re-connecting to the internet, and thereafter you MUST ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Downloaded program installed second "Explorer"
    ... Unplug the cable that connects your computer to the internet and start ... and your modem driver if you have a winmodem that loads its driver at ... Buy some decent antivirus software such as Norton Antivirus or McAfee ... Install it and connect to the internet to ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: lsass.exe termination error
    ... You connected to the internet without enabling the Windows firewall. ... You also have no antivirus software installed. ... > prevent infection from the SASSER worm would have been on your system ... Install a reputable Antivirus program. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.setup_deployment)
  • Re: problems with my computer
    ... the latest software drivers for your hardware and install it. ... Uninstall software you NEVER use. ... You may have spyware/adware infesting your machine, ... Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to about ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.work_remotely)

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