h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just when you think your internet connection problems are over... erm, they aren't. Connection has been practically non-existent all weekend and first thing this morning. Working again now, but for how long? At least I managed to get some work done and emails sent.

I also have a printer that needs to be dismantled and thoroughly cleaned, in the hopes it will start printing in full colour again. And a desktop PC that is behaving very oddly indeed and has got a virus and/or other problems causing it to run slowly, stop responding, refuse to reply to emails, etc etc. I really don't want to have to do a clean install to get things working again. Virus scanner isn't finding anything though.

And I've run out of (paid) work. Next up (ISP permitting), in between cleaning printer, is desperately trying to find a job and/or further hours to keep the self-employment thing ticking over. Printer and PC problems have stopped me making and printing fliers. Aaargh!

Maybe I should just resign myself to the dole queue again.

Do you have an installation disc or restore disc for the PC? Re-installing the operating system is often the best (sometimes the only) solution to a slow or infected computer.

Reinstall Windows (we know it's a pain ) and then check your connection speed with http://www.dslchecker.bt.com/adsl/adslchecker.welcome as it's the most reliable and accurate one. As the self proclaimed Queen of ADSL I can help you out

Checking again in safe mode, I found a number of exploits and trojans, all Java related. So much for my 'internet security' package and Microsoft Security Scanner (although the latter did detect these nasties when in Safe Mode). I guess the Java exploits were protecting themselves when Java was running.

I haven't been brave enough to reboot yet though. Got a long list of nasties to look up and find out what damage they've done/info they've stolen.

I may have to dig out the Windows disc and/or do a clean install yet. To be honest, the system could do with a good clean down. Maybe I'll invest in some PC maintenance software. Is there anything out there that's worth my ?

How's the course going fords? Do the OU do any courses specifically to do with malware, viruses, etc? I've long wanted to get to grips better with this topic!

As for the network problems, still a bit befuddled. Internet was fine all day Monday until Walt came home and switched on the PS3. Instant disconncetion. Reconnected when the PS3 was turned off. Then later, switching router off and back on has meant almost perfect connection since.

Not covered anything like that so far, but from personal experience I scan for viruses regularly, run Spybot every week and keep a tight control on what goes in and out via the firewall. Our router is on WPA-2 with our own unique SSID and WEP key

How fast is your internet connection? PS3s and Xboxes are bandwidth hungry and if you're on a slow connection they are always the prime suspects when your connection goes wrong.

Well, couldn't make PC play nice so had to do factory restore. Takes a long time to reinstall four years of software and updates (not to mention hunting down licence keys).

I've been so careful with IS. But this nasty stuff crept in with Java, still not sure how. I suspect it must've been wearing a very good disguise that persuaded me to think it was a genuine Java update.

My connection is supposed to be 4mbps but it's usually around 2.5, ranging from 3.1 down to 1.5 on good/bad days. I did a factory reset on the router too, as the Java gremlins had been specifically trying to access it. So far, no more connection problems.

There's a nasty virus doing the rounds right now disguising itself as Java, so you might have been unlucky and picked that up

The thing is, how do you stop it from happening again? I can only guess at how it got in and from where. There are some essential programs that you 'expect' to be safe.

Mind you, I've downloaded viruses directly from Windows Update in the past.

*touches wood* I haven't had a computer virus for about 10 years. I'm not sure if that's because I'm super lucky or super secure