Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 5/1/2008

Question
Hello !

I have Windows 98 and internet explorer 6 and have Zone alarm free firewall but I have no anti virus software.
Today, I happened to see that my home page refused to come up for some reason. I clicked on START - RUN - typed MSCONFIG in text box - STARTUP

It showed the following programs to start up which I am not at all sure about.
KB891711 IN C:\WINDOWS\ SYSTEM \KB891711\ KB891711.EXE
KB918547  IN C:\WINDOWS\ SYSTEM \ KB918547  \ KB918547 .EXE

Is it possible for me to check whether these are viruses online ?
How can I uninstall or delete them safely ?

I am worried. Please help me.

William  

Answer
First of all, you are guaranteed to have more than just two viruses, and maybe even have some hacker secretly using your computer. Here's why. Number one, Microsoft no longer provides security updates for Windows 98. That means there are a bunch of ways that hackers and viruses know to break in. Second, you aren't using an antivirus program, so until recently, all this bad stuff could go on without your knowing it.

Here's how to find out how many dangerous programs are operating on your computer -- and also get rid of them -- for free.

1) Download F-Secure's Complete Internet security suite, which offers a free thirty day trial: https://store.f-secure.com/cgi-bin/dlreg/ml=EN?ID=FSISTB&desid=TRIAL

2) Disconnect from the Internet.

3) Install F-Secure. Download any updates available.

4) Run a complete scan of your computer. Follow any instructions F-Secure might give you.

5) Reboot.

5) To prevent future infections, be sure to run a complete INternet security suite -- meaning antivirus plus antispyware plus a firewall. Don't use Internet Explorer, as it is susceptible to introducing viruses, and spyware into your computer. Instead you could use Firefox, free from Mozilla.org . Instead of using Outlook for email, you could use Thunderbird, free from Mozilla.org, or Eudora, free from Eudora.com .