Credit card details stolen. Help please.

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 13:49

A friends credit card details have recently been stolen and used. Thankfully the bank caught it in time and he didnt get chraged.
But im almost 100% sure that it the card details where stolen from his computer as he gets a lot of spyware etc.

So hes given me the computer to sort it out. Its an oldish toshiba, maybe 4 years old running xp. Im wondering what programmes I should use to search for any spyware on the computer (are there any good free ones?). And programmes that he should run on a regular basis to stop this happening again. Hes just purchased Norton anti-virus so thats a start, though it seems to be having to some subsription problems.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Duke · 11 Nov 2007 at 13:50

Just backup/reload it and make sure you put decent AV (e.g. NOD32) on next time

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 13:55

Duke said:
Just backup/reload it and make sure you put decent AV (e.g. NOD32) on next time

By backup/reload do you mean a fresh install of Xp or use the backup/restore option in windows?

Datamonkey · 11 Nov 2007 at 14:07

Fresh install is the only safe option really if its that bad matey.

Back up on files he needs, not programs an such. as anything nasty could still be lurking within.

MarcLister · 11 Nov 2007 at 14:09

Definitely a fresh install time with a nice deep cleansing format as well. Then the obvious things like NOD32 or Kaspersky, a decent firewall and anti-spyware like Spybot Search and Destroy and SpywareBlaster.

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 14:10

Right....crap. Im not 100% sure he has the original install cd. Does that mean he'll need a new copy of XP??

Munky1080 · 11 Nov 2007 at 14:12

as long as he still has his own CD-key, it doesn't matter what XP disk you use.

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 14:15

Ah excellent

Thanks fellas, ill get started now. No doubt there will many more questions in this thread though as time passes

MarcLister · 11 Nov 2007 at 14:55

As long as you ask nicely and don't ask illegal questions I'm sure some of us will be prepared to answer you.

Datamonkey · 11 Nov 2007 at 15:17

Munky1080 said:
as long as he still has his own CD-key, it doesn't matter what XP disk you use.

it will matter, he could have an oem key and a retail disk, they will not play nice together.

If its an oem license, ie whats on the bottom of the laptop he will more than likely need an oem cd of xp.

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 15:34

damn it! Cause the keys on the top of the desktop, so im guessing its OEM CD which he aint got

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 15:36

Did compaqs actually come with a oem disk? Cause theres a 'compaq recovery cd creator'.
I thing that will solve my problem here ya?

Durzel · 11 Nov 2007 at 15:54

As with things that get hacked there's no real point diagnosing it outside of curiosity as you can never be totally sure about its "pureness" anymore. Format and reinstall

Brian Stuart · 11 Nov 2007 at 15:54

McLovin said:
Did compaqs actually come with a oem disk? Cause theres a 'compaq recovery cd creator'.
I thing that will solve my problem here ya?

This enables you to create a bootup disc so you are able to reinstall XP.
Follow the instructions and that should solve your problem.

bledd · 11 Nov 2007 at 16:11

remove norton

install nod32, spybot s&d, adaware, windows defender

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 16:33

Whats wrong with norton?

Datamonkey · 11 Nov 2007 at 16:37

McLovin said:
Did compaqs actually come with a oem disk? Cause theres a 'compaq recovery cd creator'.
I thing that will solve my problem here ya?

Thats what you want to run mate,

That "SHOULD" emphasis (spelling lol) is on should create the cd's that will let you restore the machine to its factory condition.

Norton is a POS, Pile of ^&*% i say use avast its free and updates daily.

Duke · 11 Nov 2007 at 16:49

McLovin said:
Whats wrong with norton?

Slow and only average protection.

McLovin · 11 Nov 2007 at 16:54

Duke said:
Slow and only average protection.

Ah i see

install nod32, spybot s&d, adaware, windows defender

Are these programmes good then? Expensive??

MarcLister · 11 Nov 2007 at 17:04

Spybot/Ad-aware/Windows Defender are all free. NOD32 is pay for. A one year licence costs £25.52 ex VAT (£29.99 inc), two years is £37.65 ex VAT (£44.12) and three years is £53.60 ex VAT (£62.98).

The two year licence effectively costs £22.12 a year, so you save about £7-8 on two 1 year licences. The three year licence is effectively £20.99 a year so £9 saved on three 1 year licences.

And yes they are all very good. The current Ad-aware I don't like as its been cartooned up and uses services to run. I don't like this kind of thing. I don't use Windows Defender myself but I know it is quite well recommended. I use NOD32/Comodo free firewall/Spybot/SpywareBlaster.