Re: Accessing Secure Sites

From: Malke (malke_at_nospoonnotreally.com)
Date: 11/25/04


Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 16:28:26 -0800

Amy wrote:

>
> Hi guys,
>
> There seems to be a pretty widespread problem with IE6 being denied
> access
> to secure sites. After trying about a dozen prospective fixes, I have
> discovered that I can work around this problem be creating a new user
> account whenever I need to access a secure site (like now).
>
> The problem is that my new account soon becomes contaminated by
> whatever is
> causing the problem. I suspect that spyware is somehow interfering
> with the permissions associated with a user account.
>
> I have McAfee virus protection and firewall running at all times. And
> I
> sweep with Spybot S&D. My Win XP Pro OS is up to date; and I have
> tried what seems to be every possible combination of Settings for IE6.
>
> Is there some way I counteract what the Spyware is doing so I do not
> have to create new accounts whenever I need to do something?
>

The way to counteract spyware is to thoroughly remove it, which you
probably haven't done. Spybot S&D is great, but you need more than one
spyware removal tool. Here are some general removal steps. Since you
have av protection, you can ignore #1 unless your version is not
current and you haven't scanned in Safe Mode. Links follow the steps.

1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated definitions.

2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.

Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).

HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and disable hijackers, but
it requires expert skill. See below for HijackThis links. A combination
of HijackThis and About:Buster works well in removing the About:Blank
homepage hijacker. Again, this is an expert tool and novices should get
help with it.

3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).

4) Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.

5) Run a firewall.

Links to help with malware:

Software/Methods:
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-aware
http://www.majorgeeks.com - good download site
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. - SilentRunners

HijackThis:
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm - HijackThis tutorial by Jim
Eshelman
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5 - Spyware Warrior HijackThis
forum
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?showforum=44
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/

General:
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://forum.aumha.org/ - look under "Security" for various forums
http://www.pchell.com/
http://www.spywareguide.com/index.php
http://scumware.com/
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

Malke

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


Relevant Pages

  • Re: internet "wears out" after 2-3 pages!?
    ... count the times that I idly considered a spyware problem in a diagnosis, ... one of the HijackThis interpretation forums. ... Next, disable System Restore. ... Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: spam inserted as wall paper
    ... > search results for various spyware software. ... only malware on your system. ... scan with HijackThis. ... System Restore point from the More Options section of Disk Cleanup ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
  • RE: IBIS Toolbar Data Miner (Spyware)
    ... >> I have been infested with the IBIS Toolbar Data Miner Spyware and am ... here are additional malware removal steps. ... scan with HijackThis. ... the most recent System Restore point from the More ...
    (microsoft.public.security.virus)
  • Re: Reoccuring Spyware browser modifier after running anti-spyware bet
    ... Before you remove malware, get LSPFix (or WinSockFix for XP which you ... Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. ... scan with HijackThis. ... you must disable System Restore completely. ...
    (microsoft.public.security)
  • Re: "IE has experienced a problem and needs to close" error
    ... HijackThis are two which you missed using. ... Spybot S&D also needs some help, but if it finds anything and displays them ... Other tutorials for Spybot S&D ... >>Check for Spyware - How-to ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)