I try to update Adobe Reader and all hell breaks loose.

[Pool Hall Ace]

I was simply trying to update Adobe Reader (running getplus_adobe_reg.exe)and I wind up with malware called Heur.Packed.Unknown. I guess I am naive, because I didn't think it was possible to catch a goomie this way; I thought Adobe would be reliable. I quarantined it, but Comodo keeps catching .tmp files.

How do I get rid of this? Is it just a matter of deleting it?

I'm running Windoze Vista, and I'm thinking of switching to . . . something else.

[Duer 157099]

1. This is only my guess, so take it with a grain of salt...

I find that Comodo finds lots of "unknowns" - and if you have the heuristics setting at med or high, you're even more likely to find lots of stuff. Lots of actually safe things will register as questionable.

Now having said that, I don't know what Adobe might have that Comodo is not liking - but you can always submit it to Comodo for analysis, and eventually (if it's safe) it will probably stop being detected.

I think.

[Pool Hall Ace]

8. You are right, it does find a lot of unknowns.

However, this particular .exe command comes from an unknown publisher. I'm going to uninstall Adobe entirely.

[Duer 157099]

10. Upload it here, to check again maybe:

http://camas.comodo.com/cgi-bin/submit

But sure, get rid of it, why not. I stopped using it a long time ago, in favor of Foxit Reader.

[Why Syzygy]

2. Look at Comodo first

that may not be the Adobe file name (AdbeRdr910_en_US_Std.exe)
Where did you get the file? Not finding much yet.

But, it could be an issue with Comodo itself:
http://forums.comodo.com/false_positivenegative_reporting_is_this_a_malware_that_cis_hasnot_detected/false_positive_erunt_heurpackedunknown-t34493.0.html

Topic: False Positive: ERUNT (Heur.Packed.Unknown)

This has been fixed, please update to latest CIS V477 and update virus signature database to latest.


If not, the first step will be to run Malwareybytes.

[Pool Hall Ace]

9. I did something really stupid.

I clicked on a weird popup that said it was time to update Adobe Acrobat reader. :dumb:

I found 1,179 erros using PC Tools Registry Mechanic; however, I can't afford the $29.95 right now to clean them up. I believe at one time I had something called Crap Cleaner on my desktop. Will that work?

[Why Syzygy]

11. Malwarebytes is free!

It isn't a registry cleaner. It removes malware. Run the complete scan, not just the quick one.

I wish I had left my prior instructions. ...

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

I had suggested uninstalling Adobe. I suggest Revo Uninstaller.
http://www.revouninstaller.com/ .

There's a registry cleaner, CCleaner, which is very good. Don't know if that's what you're referring to.
http://www.ccleaner.com/

These are all free.

edit: And, so did you try the Comodo update?

[Pool Hall Ace]

19. Comodo's virus signature is up-to-date.

I downloaded CCleaner. Is there anything tricky about registry cleaning? It has been a while since I used my desktop, and I seem to remember that with one of the tabs (there's Cleaner, Registry, Tools, and Options), you really had to be careful what you checked off.

As far as uninstalling Adobe, could I just use CCleaner for that?

[Why Syzygy]

20. hi..

No, CCleaner isn't for uninstalling, though it might catch some of the registry entries Windope's uninstaller inevitably leaves behind.

CCleaner gives you an option to backup the registry before you run it. I always do. The registry cleaner is separate from the file cleaner, which has check boxes for history, cookies, recycle bin, etc. The FILE CLEANER is similar to running Win's "disk cleanup". You don't have to run that if you don't want to. I have my cookies for DU exempted, and a couple of other sites. If you run it with no exemptions, you'll more than likely need to re-enter passwords and such. I think it only deletes files older than 45 days, though. If you want to make an additional back up of the registry before you start, there are simple steps. Ask me. You can run the registry cleaner without touching the temp files.

The FIRST action you want to take is Malwarebytes.

I've come up with a 'six-pack' of programs that I depend on and would recommend to anyone wanting a clean secure system.
In order of importance:

Zone Alarm firewall
Avira (or other clean anti-virus (Avast))
Malwarebytes
CCleaner
Revo Uninstaller
Power Defragmentor

If you ever go to a large tech forum, they will most likely ask you to run Hijack This in order to see the log file. It isn't a routine utility. I'm PLANNING to become more acquainted with it because it is a powerful diagnostic tool.

At the minimum, you want to run Malwarebytes, and a RELIABLE Anti Virus program, then assess to see if you still have an issue. ... Also, dump/uninstall that program that wants an additional fee to fix issues. Everything I use is FREE! I've tested a LOT of different programs, and listened to the other geeks to arrive at my favorites.

[RC]

3. I usually Google strange stuff that pops up on my computer.

It has saved me from problems.
That said, I removed Adobe from my computers because among other things it is a major resource hog and needless security hole. There are other better readers out there, some even free.

[Pool Hall Ace]

4. Are you talking about something like Foxit?

I just did a Google search and came up with that. I didn't know that you didn't have to have the Adobe reader.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

5. I use foxit & I think it's great.

You can't edit or anything, just use it to read PDF files, but it's a small program that loads fast & does what I need.

[charlie]

6. There are other options as well

I used to use Foxit, but switched to PDF XChange Viewer because it was snappier on my system. Plus, Foxit has made some changes lately I definitely don't like -- it cripples some features if you don't accept the Ask.com toolbar during install and purportedly adds an Ebay shortcut to your desktop:

http://www.winvistaclub.com/s27.html
http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2009/02/beware-foxit-reader-includes-asktoolbar.html

If you prefer something lightweight with a minimalist feature set, there's also Sumatra Viewer.

Both are freeware.

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

7. I'll definitely look into those other options.

I noticed that foxit slowed down a bit, but I thought it was a problem since I have 64 bit & there seem to be quite a few programs that don't play nicely with it.

[charlie]

13. Foxit used to be whip fast

But successive versions became slower and slower until I had to wait for it to render while flipping pages.

While PDF XChange is markedly faster on my system, not everyone reports the same experience. For some, Foxit is still quicker. In other words, YMMV, which is why I can't unreservedly recommend PDF-X over Foxit.

[Why Syzygy]

12. I'm going to get one of those!

I HATE Adobe. I avoid .pdf files whenever possible, and if I accidentally open one, I get CRANKY.

[charlie]

15. Tell me about it

It makes me crabby too. This is the web, not a print shop, fer crying out loud. HTML is the browser's native lingua, it's lightweight and it works for everybody, no extensions needed. Yet there are still too many bozos who'll toss up PDFs w/o warnings or alternatives. Bah.

[Why Syzygy]

16. LOL

Thankfully google search has a view as html option, or a lot more stuff would be skipped over.

[charlie]

17. It's a Godsend, no doubt

(Oh no, I dragged the G-word in here. Yeeps! :D)

I'd also pass over a lot of search results if Google didn't provide a HTML cache.

If you're considering PDF XChange, note that there's a portable version on the download page that's about 12 megabytes smaller than the standard installers. It's the one I use.

[Why Syzygy]

18. Shame on you!

:spank: :D

I've got to set aside some update schmupdate time soon (this week).
Definitely happy you passed this along so the switch over can be included at that time.
(I :heart: more free space!)
I'll be back if there are more questions when I focus on the task.

[Pool Hall Ace]

21. Oh shoot -- I already uninstalled Adobe Acrobat Reader

and headed over to PDF XChange, and realized I won't be able to create PDFs from Open Office. Am I screwn now?

x(

[RoyGBiv]

22. PDFs and OpenOffice

Why won't you be able to create PDFs with OpenOffice?

It has an Export as PDF in the file menu.

[charlie]

23. I'm not clear on what you're asking

If you're wondering if you need Acrobat installed to create and export PDFs, the answer is no, Open Office does it natively. In other words, it has no outside dependencies, it'll do it on its own.

Edit: What Roy already said.

[Pool Hall Ace]

24. Okay, I'll try to be more clear.

On the download page for PDF X-Change Viewer, there is this note:

The PDF-XChange Viewer is not designed to create new PDF files from 3rd party document formats such as MS Office, Internet Explorer etc - if you wish to create NEW PDF files from Windows applications (any that can print to paper) then choose one of our Virtual Print drivers below - the PDF-XChange Viewer is designed to create PDF files only from images - or to scan new pages from your scanner - as well as View/Modify/Annotate etc - existing PDF files !

I realize that Open Office isn't mentioned in that paragraph, but I took that to mean that if you want to create a PDF file from Open Office, you would have to download either PDF-XChange Print Drivers and Utilities or Image creation Print Drivers.

As you can tell, I am very low-tech, so your patience is appreciated. :hi:

[charlie]

25. No, you don't need any of that

They could've worded that blurb a little better. They're letting you know their viewers, neither the Free or Pro versions, are document creation tools. They do sell PDF creation tools as separate packages. One of their features is the ability to make PDFs with any third party application that can print, ie, your browser. It inserts a virtual printer driver that intercepts the print output from the application and turns it into a PDF.

You don't need anything more than a viewer. Create PDFs with Open Office and view them with Foxit, PDF-XChange, Sumatra, Adobe, whichever you choose. You're good to go.

[Why Syzygy]

14. detailed instructions from hobbit709

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=242&topic_id=24445&mesg_id=24462