Cannot Access Banking Websites

* Before starting this tutorial, you should never respond to a banking email under the suspicion of phishing.

If you cannot access your banking website, always check several things -

• MTU settings should be 1492 or 1500 use TCPOptimizer
• Is Your Date and Time Correct?
• Check any special software (firewalls or Anti-Virus Security Suites) to make sure you are not blocking port 443
• Check Your Router (Sometimes the MTU needs to be 1492)
• Check Your Computer for Malware (use Malwarebytes or A-Squared)
• Reset Your Browser (Tools  / Internet Options)
• Restore your computer to the date it was working (A Bad Update? A forgotten change you made?)
• Under IE, Tools->internet Options->Advance->Check “use SSL 2.0″
• Have you installed any new software?

Wireless Randomly Disconnects

Have Windows Vista or Windows 7?  Are you disconnected from the internet randomly?  Here’s what it could be-

• Turn off the Adapter’s Power Management feature in the device manager
• Turn off the USB hub Power Management in the device manager
• Look at your power plan and click on the advanced options.  Scroll down to the wireless adapter.  Change it to Low.

• Make sure you don’t have a virus or any malware
• The latest wireless drivers should be loaded
• Use TCPOptimizer to make sure your MTU settings are the same in your router and on your wireless card.
• Also In adhoc mode, both computers should be the same (MTU Settings).
• TCPOptimizer is found here.

What is MTU?  – Link

Setting Up Your New Computer

Whether you purchased a Dell, Gateway, HP or whatever, there are several items that don’t come with the owner’s manual.   Loaded with ‘Extras’ that are not free, this bloatware can slow your computer down and cause problems later.

• Use PCDecrapifier to get rid of the junk on your computer
• Remove trialware versions of Anti-virus Software (Make sure you have download AVG or another antivirus solution first)
• Remove Trialware versions of Microsoft Office before loading a full version of MS Office
• Download Anti-malware solutions such as Malwarebytes or A-Squared
• Download Auslogics defrag (a more efficient way to defrag your computer)
• Download CCleaner to keep your computer clean and running efficiently
• Go to the Control Panel and Make sure you get all of the updates that are available and that automatic updates are scheduled

While there are a million other articles on what to do with your new computer, following these steps insures your computer will be running efficiently.

Can’t install Security Software Malwarebytes A-Squared

If you can’t install security software such as Malwarebytes or A-Squared, you can try this - Link

EMCO Malware Destroyer

EMCO Malware Destroyer is a freeware software for malware and viruses.  Link

Help Your Antivirus – Use Immunet

Immunet has been designed as a cloud Malware/Antivirus protection application that uses a cloud design.     Immunet  recently secured a $2 million dollar investment – from DarkReading

Read about how Immunet helps to protect you.  Link

IoBit vs. Malwarebytes – code?

Ray (a student) recently ran across this…

..the article basically says Malwarebytes put code (that they only knew) into their program and it later showed up in IOBit’s code (they suspected IOBit was using parts of their program…

Read the Malwarebytes’ article here

IOBit’s response is here.

Comodo AntiMalware

Another good tool for your aresenal.

Comodo AntiMalware

FreeFixer can flush out Malware

FreeFixer is a tool that can be dangerous to use if used unwisely.  It is an excellent tool to see what is going on inside of the processes of your computer.  This great find was from Bill over at billmullins.wordpress.com.

Go over and read Bill’s article and use this tool to help fight Malware.

FortiClient Security Suite – Free Antivirus Software

FortiClient Security Suite Review  – An application that is listed on the web as free often lacks features an benefits to downloading the software.  FortiClient offers a full service package that CAN legally be used by home users, and ANY size business or education.   The average user rating on the internet is 4.5 stars out of 5.  I would have to agree.  With the major features listed below, it is just about impossible to beat.

• Anti-Virus
• Anti-Malware
• Firewall
• WAN Optimization
• VPN

Installation is far from complex and is fast.  As an experienced IT professional, it is important to remember to be patient.  This software has drivers that install along with your network card in order for the firewall and intrusion detection.  By detecting your network (in this case I have a Virtual Computer inside of Windows 7)

Slow Right Click in XP, Vista or 7

The slow right click problem with Windows computers often happens when the context menu (Right Click Menu) goes bad.  What is bad?  If you right click and get a super slow speed or no response at all (PC appears to be locked up).

Download ShellExView from Nirsoft.  Unzip and execute the program.  Sort by type.  Scroll down to context.  Look for odd programs not related to Microsoft (Malwarebytes, AOL or any third party software).   Highlight the third party software.  Click the red button at top left side to disable the program (disables generated menu from right clicking).  Close and try to right click.  If you still lock up, reboot, run the program again and disable the next 3rd party software the shows under context.  Try again until resolved.

You can also try- FileMenuTools

Microsoft’s Malicious Removal Tool – Underused – Underrated

If you get your updates regularly, you have downloaded Microsoft’s Malicious Removal Tool.  How do you run it?

1) Click on Start, Run
2) Type MRT and Press Enter
3) Follow the onscreen instructions to scan and remove malware.

Using this tool along with Malwarebytes, ComboFix, and RougFix helps to remove malware.