delete data,reformat,clean install

[davo]

hi im new here,searched everywere for info and waiting replys frm microsoft and intel.
my pc is ex-government,formated by a techy.im being monitored and hacked constantly.finding folders like cach me ond others.im sure its him and dont trust giving my pc to anyone.
im going to use dban autonuke to erase h/drive.i have no cd for windows or drivers.
i dont want to start untill i have all info and facts on the subject.
will my reg key be valid if i use another disk?
and were do i find it on my pc?
can i use a reg key that my friend has with his disk.(hes already using it)?
am i able to download and burn drivers to a disk?
and were can i find them?
after doing this install if the problem persist,could it be a hardwear attached to my tower(hard drive)?
and is there any videos showing what sus**cious hardware to look out for?
please help me with these queations,and perhaps offer links to sites that could help.
thanx davo

[Joey]

You can use "RockXP" or "Magical Jelly Bean" to find your Windows product key.
RockXP - http://www.snapfiles.com/get/rockxp.html
Magical Jelly Bean - http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder/

All Windows XP, Vista and 7 CDs/DVDs are the same except for 1 thing, they differ when it comes to keys they accept. If you use your friend's CD/DVD that does not guarantee it will work with your key.


If you really want a computer that is harder to hack and even cleaner when it comes to viruses I recommend using Linux. Most Linux software is 100% free.

I recommend SliTaz or Ubuntu Linux. They are both free.

SliTaz - http://www.slitaz.org
Ubuntu - http://www.ubuntu.com

[davo]

thanks for the info,very helpful.
i checked out some tutorials on this site.
installed SIW wow its got so much info on specs,
it showed me a product key for my XP,unsure if its the key im looking for so counted the code items and the amount matched the same amount as my mates code,so i assume its my correct code im looking for.
also a page full of info on my drivers.
ive searched for info for weeks and could only find crack codes etc...
untill i checked this site out and in a few hours of searching im almost there.
is there a way to download the drivers so i can burn a copy of them?
i looked a ubuntu and thought the same as your advice.
will i need a windows OS to install it though?
or can i install it without loading a windows disc?
the info on the ubuntu site isnt very clear about this.
thanks for the help,
davo

[davo]

ok now i know theres a prob with my pc,for the past few hours ive been reading advice on this forum and waching tutorials,awesome advice, ive installed ccleaner and SIW.i have been loged out twice and have to give my password several times before logging back in.im using on screen keyboard so no chance of key loggers.i ran ccleaner and it removed a cookie i havnt been able to delete since i got this pc.
its finaly gone.
i figure im doing a reinstall soon so whats the harm in trying a few programes beforehand,that way after clean install i can get programes i want and keep my registry to a minimum.
im running bullguard antivirus,i dont trust this programe due to to many things getting in around it,and using plugins on another pc i can view my chat logs i have had with support.needless to say the plugin was uninstalled straight away. bullguard found a malware and blocked my download "IOuninstaller" the log says Gen:Trojan.Heur.QmX@@lTz6ff    for all viewing this please note i did state i dont trust my antivirus program. this comes from a trusted site so please dont let my problems prevent you from trying this program,instead scan your own downloads and make your own decisions.this may have been added to my download from another sorce.the sooner i reformat the better.

[Joey]

There many times when the virus, malware, spyware or adware that has infected your computer is impossible to get rid of. Sometimes your computer is unusable and the virus, malware, spyware or adware has hijacked your computer or at least appears to be doing so. If a computer has become so deeply infected with a virus, etc. threat that is unusable then the only option most people know of is to completely wipe out their computer and start from scratch, aka "Reformat Your Computer", aka "Complete System Recovery" aka "Reinstall Windows". I used to think the same way until several years ago when I was messing around with heavily virus infected computers at work and tried something out just for the hell of it. It turned out to the best method I have ever used to remove almost any virus, malware, spyware or adware off of any Windows XP, Vista or 7 PC.

The advanced virus, malware, spyware and adware removal method does a bit of work and it will cost some money.


Since you are going to be wiping out your hard drive but are testing things out before you do I highly recommend uninstalling all anti-virus, firewall and any type of security program you have on your computer and install the 3 below. They work great. Kaspersky will even detect keyloggers and MIGHT help to prevent your computer from being hacked. The link below will only give you a 30-day trial of it but you will be formatting your PC soon so 30 days will be good enough.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - (Download Free version) http://www.malwarebytes.org/

SuperAntiSpyware - (Download Free version) http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html

Kaspersky Internet Security - http://usa.kaspersky.com/trials/home-users/internet-security/

Perform a FULL / THOROUGH scan using all 3 in the order listed above.

[Joey]

To answer your question about drivers and Linux. Linux will install its own drivers. You can test out almost any version of Linux by using something called a "Live CD" from whatever version you want. I have not created any tutorials about Linux Live CDs but there are plenty around YouTube. When you use a Live CD your Windows PC will not be touched one bit.

[davo]

thanks again for the advice,i read your totorial regarding the mal,spy and add ware removal and plan doing that.im going to use a friends computer that hasnt connected to internet for ages and download them to a usb memory stick then install on mine, as i know he has no viru's.
should these be installed in safe mode?or should i get updates first?
im going to burn a copy of dban and ubuntu as soon as i learn how to burn to an ISO file(which i have tutorials on)
microsoft replied to my email and ask if i can give them my product key so they can send my a disk.although there not clear about if they will charge me for the disk.
im concerned that once i give that info to them,the key wont work on another XP disk.
so to completly install ubuntu,do i need to install a windows disk first?
i can get burnt xp,or original vista disks.i just cant register them thats all.
thanks again joey.

[Joey]

Try to install, update and run the anti-virus programs under normal mode first. Safe Mode is a last resort.

The key is supposed to work for 1 computer only no matter what.

To completely install Ubuntu you do not use Windows at all. It will erase your full Windows install along with all of your files and programs.

 

[davo]

hey joey,thanks for everything,i had been using malwarebytes,spybot and bullguard.
uninstalled all,then installed your suggestions.
no virus's found but did find a heap of spyware,browser hijackers,trogans,flash tracking cookies,addware,tracking cookies(29 total).4 network attacks detected.
the programs you suggested can also fix options for windows defaults,restoring and resetting alot of things that can be affected by add,mal and spyware.
i fixed as many as i could,although my connection is slower now (i guess i have to change a few settings again)
ive been running scans once a week for a few months now and although nothing detected using old programs listed above,superantispyware was able to find a heap that spybot couldnt,and scans faster,also a right click scan option for scans on folders and downloads which i love and is my usual scan method for everything i download.
i often wondered if id been doing to many scans,but something just didnt seem right.even wondered if i was on the same internet as everyone else.
i changed my browser also,
im still going to reformat and try ubuntu,but this gives me a chance to try and play with a few things first.
ill see how kaspersky goes and may purchase it,but want to try trend macro also.
thanks again for the help and advice,appreciated.
davo

[Raphael]

Ubuntu is freaking hard to use... Altough when i tried Mint it was all perfect. Mint is less buggy than the others and easyer to understand so i highly recommend you get Mint.

If you want a fast ubuntu install you can use Kubuntu

[davo]

hi again,having alot of fun playing with diferent programes.
ive been playing with a ubuntu live disk also,but still cant manage to install the programes that come with it nor get a flash player add on for youtube.
i may have a bad download(unsure) so i downloaded it again this time sending it to my USB stick,just need to burn it now.
if i download EASEUS partition manager,can i install ubuntu on 1 partition while using xp on the other?
and Raphael i have never heard of mint and would like to know abit about it.
ill start researching it.but any info you can offer would be greatly apreciated.
also could someone please do a tutorial on booting from a USB.
i tried changing it in my bios but my pc doesnt seem to recognise USB drive.
perhaps i need to set it in my comand prompt first.
thanks again.

[Joey]

I never installed any Linux programs using a Live version of Linux. I've only installed Linux programs once I installed Ubuntu on my hard drive. I am not saying it is not possible but it's something I have not done.

To install XP and Linux (any version) on your computer at the same time you do not need any extra program. All you need is just a Windows XP os install disc and Linux (any version) install disk.

Here is a video tutorial I found on the net that will help out a bit

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-6104490811311898236#

[Joey]

Mint is just another version of Linux. It has a very nice looking graphical user interface. Check it out. You may want to use it instead of Ubuntu.

http://linuxmint.com

[davo]

thanks joey that will help alot.
good vid and funny to.
ive got about 2gig of ubuntu tutorials ive been waching,
some say install a wubi,others say install ubuntu then partition and install xp.
but most are for vista and win7.
this is by far the esyest one ive seen(to follow).
i just got xp pro and xp home edition burned,cost me $5 a disk.
my flatmate just gave me his old laptop also.
and this vid is the missing piece of the puzlle.
all in all, im having a really good day.
thanks again mate,as always you have been helpfull.

[davo]

hi joey,could i ask a couple more questions.
all my drivers are backed up on a usb.
will i be able to load the usb stick on the new operating system?
meaning once i load xp,does it have its own drivers for the usb ports.
or will i have to burn usb drivers?
also,im about to load Dban autonuke to erase my hard drive.
is this wise to do (as in wear and tear on the drive)?.
the last thing i want to do is destroy my hard drive.
my hacking experiences have become a major problem,and i wonder if im going crazy at times.process lasso is the only programe im able to detect the intrusions with.
in the last week my windows updates have been for service pack 2,but im running ps3,i rang microsoft and they dont recomend installing the updates.
also i had to ring kespersky as i couldnt update(12 hours ago) turns out the server was down.antimalwarebytes had error updates earlyer,my registy was full of corruptions.also my home page keeps trying to change(superantispyware is helping me).before i shut my pc down i always fix my safeboot key.i had to change my email password as i couldnt log in.i could keep going but dont want to sound nuts.

[Joey]

Hi Davo

USB drives will all work on Windows, Linux and even Mac OS.

I would only use autonuke if I was not going to give away my computer, so none of my files or info would be easy to find.
If you are not going to get rid of your hard drive and still use it there is no need to autonuke it. During the install of the first operating system just delete all partitions and create new ones from scratch. That will get rid of all programs and viruses.

[davo]

thanks for the reply joey,i wasnt sure about dban (damage wise,3-35 swipes sounds extreme),i was told my pc had been reformated when i purchaced it,i ran wise disc cleaner,ticking option send to recycle bin.that way i could restore any damage i caused,i found over 10000 government files,scrolling down the recycle bin took hours and i emptyed the bin,restoring and going thru that much data would have taken weeks.since then ive played with lots of data removal programs,then data recovery programes,theres not much i have left on pc for recovery now,the last things i found were pictures(could only restoe 4 of them,the files had become broken and couldnt fully recover them,so im confident ive erased every old bit of old data on this thing.
i managed to block my hacker last night,he was tracking me thu live messenger.
i couldnt sign in and my hotmail password,and msngr password were no longer the same,i kept clicking forgot my password,signin,change password,block msngr,repeat process again,we played cat and mouse for an hour and a half,i blocked every contact and deleted them all,my profile is now titled LATERS!!! lol  there is no info init anymore.im sure hel find another way in,but i can finally relax now.
thanks again for the advice my friend,you are one of few i trust and beleive.
respect,davo

[Joey]

Good to hear you blocked the hacker

Thanks for the compliments

[davo]

thanks and your welcome.
can you please do me a favour?
ive set kespersky to defence mode,my antimalwarebyes has error updates so i uninstalled it.
when i try to install a new download my antivirus warns me of a sus**cious driver installation.
could you check this out at your end and see if you get the same message?
thanks.   

[hitech]

If you have installed kespersky, then I think, you need to to install any other anti spyware.

[davo]

@ hi tech,not only is antimalware bytes,errors,also avg and kaspersky errors,these are fake updates some how.im using manual updates from now on.i think theyve created some kind of server.
im running 2 computers,and there getting me anywhich way they can.
the only thing saving me is this vertual programe.
i tried to save the kespersly log,but my laptop couldnt handle the CPU.
theres so much data,like thousands of log items.
after an hour of trying to save,i cancled the log save.
skimmed my mouse over the unfinished log,it was over 100mb large.

[davo]

hi joey,when i was changing those passwords to block the hacker,he posted 2 profile pictures on his profile,also a few malicious words directed to me,ive written them down,while blowing away my emails i sent windows live details,his email address,pics,comments.3-4 days ago now.
i havnt heard back from them and was usure about typing to much on pc.
after today im totaly convinced who it is,as ive set up a couple of traps,i left the address of a girl in my contacts,knowing a friend was in contact with her also.
now shes being hacked.
after 5 months of investigating i have my conclusions.
i would like to know where to upload my details,as in the correct athoritys.
today i have started using word pad to comunicate with my hackers,i have named them also insulted there inteligence.now its become malicious,as if it wernt already.
any info you can offer would be greatly appreciated.i could type for hours about this,but think i need to spend many hours compiling my letter,in a way that doesnt sound rediculus.trend micro had created this idea about 2 months ago,as it tells you who is connected to your network,thats about the only use i found for that antivirus as i could block the people connected to my modem.yes my hack is a flat mate who i have disconnected and am in the process of kicking out,thus the malicious attacks.hes opperating with his brother who claims to build computers.

[Joey]

Wow. I didn't think it was someone you know.

Here is a link that might help you - http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

All other places I checked for advise on this kind of thing just said to seek out an attorney that specializes in the Internet or IT.

[davo]

thanks joey,ill coppy and paste your link.
after posting the above,i whent back to ask the techs,and proof read what i wrote so i could be safe knowing my post was successfull,i loged out,my screen whent white,i clicked my home page,another white screen,refreshed the page and nothing happened,clicked back several times,and i was in ask the techs although i was not loged in,now everytime i log out im taken to clear tech home page,the yellow popup states im not signed in.this time was different as the square at top right of screen had no user name or pass word,was just a blank blue area.
i rebooted and then came back and was able to log in,and log out.
so could this have been a fake page created purely for myself?
1 computer having probs is understandable,but 2 computers having problems,as the lap top is from another person leads me to beleive not.nether are running the same programes or browsers,so it cant be a similer conflict issue.
thanks again you have helped me out alot and i appreciate the time you have spent reading and answering my questions.Davo

[Joey]

Thanks Davo 

About the logging in on this site...
There is an issue where users sometimes have to log in twice. The reason for this is that I have 2 systems that are not related merged with one another. These forums were really created to run independently. The second system on this site are the tutorial and blog pages. It another system that was not created to run with anything but itself.

When thinking about how to create my ClearTechInfo.com site I really wanted both web systems badly. I was able to kind of mend them together so they at least play nice, hehe. But the only negative is that sometimes users have to log in twice, 1 for the Tutorial/Blog system and the second time for the Forums. Luckily for people like me that use Firefox, once I log into this site 2x and save my login info to Firefox I do not have to log in again.

In the future I do plan to fix this issue. I just have to save some money to pay a genius web programmer a few hundred dollars to solve the double-login issue. Hopefully my tech job gives me more hours in the future 

[davo]

hi joey,yes i notice that i have to log in twice every time.
i thought it was because of vertual keyboard.
dont change it,as its reasurance of being on the correct site.
i WAS taken to a fake site.and im also unable to use the superantispyware tool,reset my home page.
i have to load google home page,then go to msn and make that my default home page.then supantispy warns me.
ok i have taken the day off my computers for a break,i have signed into gmail and hotmail,also wached a vid on youtube.
i noticed that the ip im using has changed,gmail tells me that,in bottom of page,details.
so my ip is the same for months,yesterday i used tor,signed into gmail,wrote the time down (using my pc).
today i signed in gmail using laptop instead of pc(i dont have tor on this,as im running virtual instead)
my history tells me im using a different ip.i have not repaired my ip, so it shouldnt.
i was thinking of offering you remote assist,so you could see the happenings yourself.
while waching youtube my taskbar changed from blue to original grey.i then closed browser,2 minutes later my flatmate(the offender arrived home)very coincidental.almost as if he were on a laptop in my front yard,wireless.
i right clicked my computer and whent to see my settings,also checking remote assist,this has been inabled sometime over the last 24 horus.i then whent to my other flatmates pc(runnng vista),now i dissabled that for him a couple of months ago
and i noticed his has been reinabled aswell.
is there a way of checking pc logs to find history of the time this may have happened?
i beleive its happened in the last 2 hours.i turned on my pc which hasnt been on for about 36 hours,and remote is still dissabled.so the gmail times and the time gap since using the pc tells me an appoximate time.if they are keylogging me then they know everything im typing,so the password generator was a fixable issue,the corrupt mal,antivirus updates were fixed using a rollback and system restore,and the dissable kaspersky was counteracted by my virtual,so i guess there next step was remote assist,so they could control and destroy the laptop.untill i type this,there not aware that running this virtual can not affect my laptop in any way.creating proof to submit would be almost impossibe, as by running a webcam from 1 computer,waching the other, by now i would have documented thousands of hours.im glad i dissconected him from the modem because if he had of gone on govenment sites or child porn sites,my good flatmate may have gone to jail,as the internet is in his name,and to prove inocence would be almost impossible,and the offender could just say "he gave me this computer". this guy needs to be shut down as soon as possible before somebody is affected for life,hes dangerous and shouldnt be allowed neer a pc.

[Joey]

Hello,

I am not sure how to check Windows to see when your IP was last refreshed. I do know that your DSL or Cable Internet provider will sometimes change your IP. Sometimes it is every month or it could be every 6 months. There is no written rule for this.

Do you put a good password on your laptop?

Also if you are very concerned about your laptop being hacked I highly recommend moving to Linux. The keylogger programs they have used on your laptop will not work in Linux. They would have to find other programs which may not be as good. And things for them will be more difficult.

[davo]

hi,thanks joey.i was able to fix the home page issue,i restored my pc to an earler date,2 hours earler to be exact.this is how they broke it(i beleive).
before going virtual, i set another restore point.connected to internet for my updates,once i receive my updates i dissconect.launch virtual and then im safe to reconect.so i think it was broken while getting thoes updates.after the quick repair i then created a new restore point.i also have gone through many restore points to see when remote assist was reinabled,i checked 10 points i have set in past 4 days and it has been inabled since before then.i decided to stop researching any deeper because if they have corrupted any of my points i may not be able to get back to my current points.
im planning on setting pc-partitioned with the above video you offered using mint,i have all my discs and am ready to go,the lap top im enjoing the setup i have,but also have XP home disc with orriginal prod key attached to it.
so ill eventually be using 2 OS on 1 pc, and 1 OS on laptop,i cant use lynux
as the graphics card wont offer me much in the way of visual experience.
then ill fall back on my pendrive OS,or run a live disc.so even if im shut down i can still be connected within a few minutes.
i dont want to reformat untill this guy has gone,suppose to move out in 24hours.
i can then put my wireless broadband stick(new sim,not activated)in another persons name,ring ISP and ether change companys or re-fresh our connection.
trying to stay one step ahead is hard work.lol.
thanks again.

[davo]

hi joey,i just researched something important regarding everybodys private data and ip address's on a worldwide data base.
with your your permission i would like to share what i have copied and pasted.
i was able to do a search on cars,it gave me dates,ip's. and also gave me options that i could see what each individual had searched for.
second search,porn. the persons address i clicked is a registered sex offender.
third seach was a persons bank privacy searches.
if you let me submit this,where(as in what section can i share)?
im not sharing there details,just the page offering a secure search engine.
this page explains how this browser search is the only real secure search engine wordwide.
hope to hear back soon.
davo.

[Joey]

Hello 

You can post that in the Security section. That forum deals with online security issues: http://www.cleartechinfo.com/forum/security/