Re: Computer Hijacked

From: Malke (malke_at_nospoonnotreally.com)
Date: 09/07/04 

Date: Tue, 07 Sep 2004 08:14:23 -0700

jag61 wrote:

> While surfing the net looking for 3d images to download my
> browser was taken over and redirected to a new web page.
> While this happened my pc virus software alerted and
> qurantined the file. Now my web home page has been
> changed and I cant reset it. I cannot do a system restore
> because all of the system restore points have been
> deleted. Also (this is the worst part) when I click on a
> desktop short cut, nothing happens, the icon blinks once
> and the program will not start. I must use Start>Run>find
> program to make a program run and even then not all will.
> Some such as Adobe Photoshop will deliver a pop up warning
> saying adobe.exe cannot be found please install program,
> etc. Anyone heard of this? I am using WinXP Home and use
> PCCillan and Ad-Aware virus protection.

Ad-aware is a fine program, but you need more than just one spyware
removal tool to get rid of malware. Here is the usual routine:

Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy from
www.safer-networking.org and Ad-aware from www.lavasoftusa.com. Be sure
to update these programs before running them. These programs are free,
so run them both since they complement each other. It is best to run
antivirus and spyware removal tools in Safe Mode. You may also want to
run CWShredder and HijackThis from http://aumha.org/freeware.htm.
Although CWShredder is no longer being updated, it will still clean
older variants of the CoolWebSearch malware. A combination of
HijackThis and About:Buster (from Major Geeks) works well to get rid of
homepage hijackers. Please read the instructions for all programs
carefully. Also, make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied
all security patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows
Update. Make sure you are running a firewall.

Malke 

-- 
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Relevant Pages

  • Re: using search, locks me up???
    ... Use Ad-Aware, MSAS and/or Spybot Search & Destroy to remove it. ... LSPFix- all versions of Windows http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.zip ... Ad-Aware and Microsoft Anti-spyware- removed the spyware. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: Problems with tcp/ip (freezing during upload)
    ... Before you remove malware, get LSPFix (or WinSockFix for XP which you ... Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. ... scan with HijackThis. ... If you are running Windows ME or XP, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: adware(flashtrack)
    ... It seems as if there is much more spyware around. ... Ad-aware is a program to help find and remove adware/spyware/malware. ... Adware is advertising supported software. ... MS-MVP Windows Shell/User ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Reinstalling IE/OE
    ... When all else fails, HijackThis v1.99.1 ... Microsoft Update will not allow me to try to download sp2 again to reinstall. ... Windows XP and Windows XP SP1: Edit the registry and install Internet Explorer 6 works on earlier versions of Windows. ... First eliminate any spyware. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: Problems with site after install of SP2 i think
    ... Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites: ... Also be sure to use the HijackThis. ... What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2 ... Please reply to the newsgroup so others may benefit. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)