I was browing on my dads computer, somehow I ended up at this site in IE (usually use mozzila but it opened it in IE through MSN I think) and suddenly norton tells me there's a virus it can't remove IE crashes. I try opening IE again and it's on this weird page and I can't change it even by setting it to blank and every time I open it there's a new virus alert. What has happened? This is horrible now I'm getting virus alerts all the time and stuff. I've gotta tell my dad, but I'm afraid I'll get into shit even though I couldn't help this. :'( I feel so bad right now, adaware and spywaressd are no help at all. Help! :'(
There are numberous threads around the Gen gen about spyware... search for "spyware IE help" and you'll get a log of informative threads...
Download these programs:
> Lavasoft's Ad-Aware
> Spybot S&D
And run them both. They will find what's wrong (before you run either, make sure to do the updates a few times to make sure you have the latest/greatest definitions).
The newest version of SpyBot has a resident program called TeaTimer which I highly recommend you install and use. It sits in your system tray (always running) and prompts you anytime a registry change is attempted. It takes VERY little system resources and you'll never even know it's there.
You should run SpyBot and Ad-Aware at least once a week (checking for updates first). Make a habit of it.
After you've setup and run both the above programs may I suggest:
> Mozilla's FireFox Browser
Seriously bro ... stop using IE. You're just asking for trouble. I switched over to FireFox a few months ago and haven't had a single problem since. Sure, it takes some getting used to, but it's worth it.
Good luck!
Err ... yes, Darth can read ;)
Perhaps you didn't read correctly. I said I DID use Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware (which found nothing). I DO use Mozzila (have been since January last year), but I was in IE due to pressing a link in MSN which seems to open in IE.
MSN sucks on that aspect... no matter what you have as default browser, it opens IE. And microsoft says we can now choose which products to use on our system... BAH!
Quote from: Krazy on Tue 19/04/2005 15:05:44
Perhaps you didn't read correctly. I said I DID use Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware (which found nothing). I DO use Mozzila (have been since January last year), but I was in IE due to pressing a link in MSN which seems to open in IE.
Quote from: Darth Mandarb on Tue 19/04/2005 14:58:17
Err ... yes, Darth can read ;)
He's not just someone, he's Darth Mandarb! := And he can read, that's why the gray text.
this is what happens when you surf suspicious pr0n - very foolish, especially on your dad's PC :P
Hehhehe...Sorry for being so mean and unhelpful. As long as your dad doesn't use IE, you should be OK, no? Why can't Norton remove the virus? It can't even delete the file?
CWShredder.
It's free
It deals with browser hijackers
It may help
What version of Windows you running?
What is the specific message that Norton's gives you? Does it identify the virus?
If so, and you can't remove it, it could be because the virus is "protecting" itself from being removed, so you might need to boot into Safe-Mode (Tap "F8" key on a fresh boot and before windows loads in), then run Norton's and try to scan for and remove the virus while in Safe-Mode.
Also, you might have a version of the "CWSearch" virus, or another form of browser hijacker. To scan for and try and remove various forms of the CWSearch virus, refer to another post I made a little while ago which may offer some advice to help you:
http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=19142.msg233566#msg233566
If Norton's can't identify the virus (as it can't catch or block everything), you might also consider using a remote-virus-scan to help you to at least identify the virus, and once the virus is identified, then you'll better know what to look for in finding ways or tools to help remove it.
A good free remote online virus scan you can find at:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
Once you know the virus identity, and if you still can't remove it, let us know and we may be able to help you find a way to remove it.
Also, if you have a Windows version such as XP, ME, 2000, there's a remote "possible" chance (but not certain), Ã, that you can try to do a "System Restore" (Usually from Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tool, System Restore) to rollback your systems settings to a recent time to before the problems occured. Ã, Okay, are just those just a few suggestions to try.
Tried Downloading HijackThis! ? Search google with the files it finds to determine if they are harmfull.
Also click Start > Run > and type in MSCONFIG
try disabling harmufull looking things in the startup tab
Sorry if that's already been mentioned but can't be bothered to read posts... in rush.
Quote from: Babar on Tue 19/04/2005 16:10:20
this is what happens when you surf suspicious pr0n - very foolish, especially on your dad's PC :P
Hehhehe...Sorry for being so mean and unhelpful. As long as your dad doesn't use IE, you should be OK, no? Why can't Norton remove the virus? It can't even delete the file?
I wouldn't do that, especially on my dads computer, I don't even know what the site was as it crashed as soon as I got to it, but whoever makes these sites are very big poopie heads
Oh anyway it's sorted out now thanks for your help everyone. Apparently my dad got very angry but I was asleep then so my little brother had to endure all the shouting, and my dad was pretty calm and happy when he got home :P The lesson is don't use IE even for a split accidental second, that thing is shit.
QuoteMSN sucks on that aspect... no matter what you have as default browser, it opens IE. And microsoft says we can now choose which products to use on our system... BAH!
If you go to http://dallas.sark.com/SarkBlog/kcunningham/archive/2004/11/23/511.aspx you can find out how to open links in MSN Messenger in your default browser. It's very cool I think, and you can customise MSN alot more with Messenger Plus! And don't be scared by where is says Messenger plus! has spyware... just choose not to install it.
Quote from: auhsor on Thu 21/04/2005 12:44:19
QuoteMSN sucks on that aspect... no matter what you have as default browser, it opens IE. And microsoft says we can now choose which products to use on our system... BAH!
If you go to http://dallas.sark.com/SarkBlog/kcunningham/archive/2004/11/23/511.aspx you can find out how to open links in MSN Messenger in your default browser. It's very cool I think, and you can customise MSN alot more with Messenger Plus! And don't be scared by where is says Messenger plus! has spyware... just choose not to install it.
Heh, yeah MSN plus helps to uncrap Microsofts crappish program. Especially the ads, but eh don't really need to bother to install it on my dads computer really. And yeah alot of people are scared by the spyware thing, I was too once, but I found just click a simple thing that says I do not agree ;)
Why does nobody suggest Microsoft Anti-Spyware. It seems to be the only program that has really worked for me. And it's free. What more could you ask for?
I've usd Messenger Plus before, but it didn't work witht he new beta version...
And Rich: Never heard of such...
Well I've never had the need for the Microsoft AS. The other programs listed by Darth do a fine job for me... besides, I' m worried about some of MAS's detections. It detected Messenger Plus as having spyware even though it is only the installer that has it, and it doesn't install it if you choose not to.
And Krazy: The newer versions of Plus don't have the remove the ad thing, but you can easily fix that with the patch (doesn't require Plus) from mess.be
And yeah Plus works with the official 7.0 now :=
...but I am not going to install the official 7.0 yeat as I hear it's horrible...
Quote from: auhsor on Fri 22/04/2005 09:55:48
Well I've never had the need for the Microsoft AS. The other programs listed by Darth do a fine job for me... besides, I' m worried about some of MAS's detections. It detected Messenger Plus as having spyware even though it is only the installer that has it, and it doesn't install it if you choose not to.
And Krazy: The newer versions of Plus don't have the remove the ad thing, but you can easily fix that with the patch (doesn't require Plus) from mess.be
And yeah Plus works with the official 7.0 now :=
No problem, I'm sticking with 6.2 and the older Plus, MSN 7 sucks so much that when ever I'm told to get it I give them four simple words "No I despie it". ;)
Yeah true, it's pretty bad, but with enough tinkering you can make it alright. I like the handwriting thing and custom emoticons are also cool. Everything else is pretty much useless.