Someone Taking Over My Computer?

[galt11]

I have a PC running Win XP (pause for the cringes) with the following anti-virus/spyware programs running: Avast antivirus, AVG antivirus, Adaware, spybot, and MS antispyware. It was inherited from a family member who may not have been the most savy person when it came to security. Every so often the avast and AVG email scanners pop up saying they are scanning an outgoing email to locations out of the US. One was Italy, the newest one I think is in Greece. THe problem Is I don't have any email programs running. When I scan the computer, nothing comes up. Please help.

Adam

[vluc]

First, you should only run one av program. I use AVG, so I recommend that one.

Second, are your malware programs all updated?

Firewall...are you using one?

Then go to the mail program and see what you have. Does sound more like spyware than anything, but you never know.

Also recommend you run HijackThis to see what might be trying to take over the system.

let us know.

[shred]

Could be a rootkit too. Some of those dig in so deep the AV programs can't find them. Unusual it would be generating e-mail via the OS though.

[John Heiter]

I've become a big fan of ZoneAlarm. It's nice to see and be prompted about anything trying to create an outside connection. It's amazing to see how many things try to send data without asking permission.

[vluc]

Could be a rootkit too. Some of those dig in so deep the AV programs can't find them. Unusual it would be generating e-mail via the OS though.

Good point. For rootkits:

BlackLight

[galt11]

Thanks for the suggestion. All the programs are up to date and still find nothing. I am dling the F secure suite and will try that.

Adam

[lpspinner]

If you can do a full AV scan in Safe mode, that sometimes will find the culprit.