Hi Guys.
I have very recently spotted a dialler (applet) in Control Panel (Network Connections). The unwanted guest goes by the name of "Conessions Predefinta".
I deleted the item from Contol Panel but guess it will still be on my computer somewhere.
I have run AVG 7.5 (free) plus Spybot and Ad-aware but they have not come up with anything.
I am on an ADSL Broadband Connection with AOL and not sure as to whether or not a rogue dialler is still a threat. As Im a novice Id appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Thanks.

Best regards.

Ed.

I couldn't find anything out about that name on several search engines. According to AV Comparatives, AVG did an excellent job last year on their sample of 205,000 dialers. Looking at the name, it might be Spanish/Italian (could be mispelled--many malware writers didn't do too well with grammar). Too bad you didn't send a sample to Virus Total at https://blog.hispasec.com/virustotal/and ClamAV at https://cgi.clamav.net/sendvirus.cgi. Do that next time. Keep an eye out for a day or so to see if it reappears. Also watch your phone bill for calls you didn't make.

This is probably more in the nature of spyware/adware than hard-core malware. The free Windows Defender from Microsoft seems to do a good job of protecting from spyware/adware. It doesn't bother with cookies, however--they don't regard them as too dangerous.

Regards,

Hi GuitarBob.
Thanks for quick response and doing a search for me. What I have now been informed by guys at AOL is - Im safe from diallers with ADSL broadband modem provided that I have disabled my old 56k modem
( which I scrapped 2 years ago) however- I will certainly take your advice and anything shows up I will
send to Virus Total (thanks 4 link). Keeping an eye on my phone bill isint a problem- I see it every night in my dreams (nightmares).


Thank again mate.

Best regards.

Ed.

Well, we users have to help each other. I didn't know if you had broadband. Those dialers are set up to make money by calling long distance from your phone, so if you don't have dialup, they can't do their thing. Of course, you still don't want them on your computer.

What scares me is the hidden malware placed in rootkits. There are some rudimentary rootkit revealers around now, however. A couple of the antivirus programs have been upgraded to now detect the simpler rootkits, and they should have a good handle on them by the end of 2007.

Regards,