[icer190]

Ok, I know that there is something on this computer that should not be here. Whether it is spyware or something else I do not know. All I know is that it keeps adding home pages to my internet. And I wish to get rid of it.

Now, I have contacted the admin at one of the sites, Messenger I believe it was, and they have not responded. That was about 48 hours ago.

It is really starting to annoy me, and I have searched for all things pertaining to the homepages on my computer, but to no avail. I have even checked that add/remove programs, still no avail.

Any help would be GREATLY appreaciated.

[crisis_vyper]

From the symptoms, that sounds like a malicious malware.

Mind I suggest that you use Hijack This. It scans stuff using a heuristic mode rather than a database mode, thus enabling the computer to scan for things that usual anti-spyware products can't. However, I must warn you from deleting anything from the program for it does not distinguish between your spyware and your vital programs. But it will attempt to back up the file just in case you would do something wrong.

You can post your entire log at the Hijack This forums for more experienced users to see what is it that needs deleting. You can also use the auto function, but you run into a great risk of accidentally deleting your important files.

Hope it helped, for I find it pretty good.

[Delightfully Emo]

Indeed thats the best way out. Hijack this, even though is sound bad, is possibly one of the best programs that you can use to get rid of viruses.
Post the log, and we can help you!


Oh, by the way. Do you use Internet explorer? If so I recommend switching to Firefox, or opera. Ie uses BHO extensions that can be used to put viruses on your PC. I believe hijack this has something that you can use to delete BHO extensions. Either way, good luck.

[icer190]

Thanks for the advice, but I'll try something else that has worked great for us before I try this.

I use IE because I did not like Firefox, it didnt run as smooth, and it actually took LONGER to load even TO on Firefox. So I chose to stick with IE.

[Delightfully Emo]

May I recommend opera then? I hear its supposed to be faster than Firefox. Its also supposed to not cause CPU spiking, which Firefox sometimes does.

[Wyzer1]

Originally Posted by Legatus Glacies(Icer)

Ok, I know that there is something on this computer that should not be here. Whether it is spyware or something else I do not know. All I know is that it keeps adding home pages to my internet. And I wish to get rid of it.

Now, I have contacted the admin at one of the sites, Messenger I believe it was, and they have not responded. That was about 48 hours ago.

It is really starting to annoy me, and I have searched for all things pertaining to the homepages on my computer, but to no avail. I have even checked that add/remove programs, still no avail.

Any help would be GREATLY appreaciated.

Theres a few things you can do, all of which put together removes 99% of the problems

1.) Go to Start->Run->Type MSCONFIG. Go to "startup" and uncheck everything. Start rechecking stuff you recognize
2.) Adaware/Spybot Search and Destroy. Download/Run both of them. Then run AVG virus scan

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=asf
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/us/frt/0?prd=aff
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-200...bj=dl&tag=top5

If that doesn't work, download http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.php

Just restart in safe mode and run it, if this doesn't work you are going to need to give us more details...

Good Luck

[icer190]

I already have Adaware, as we have had it in the past and it has worked great. Though I didn't download it until.... 6 AM today.

I'm downloading the Spybot as we speak.

[Delightfully Emo]

its best if you run these anti spyware programs in safe mode. In safe mode, the OS only loads the basic necessities to run. No start up programs, nothing special. Thus, little, or not spyware. best time to go looking for it, is when its not trying to hide.

[icer190]

Ok, I do not know how to turn safe mode on with XP, as I only did it with '95, how do you?

[Delightfully Emo]

believe that if you tap F8 when the computer turns on, it should give you a black screen with white letters. You use the up and down arrow keys to select what you want to do. Select regular safe mode, not with networking, or command prompt. Just safe mode. That should be it.

Also I like to run smith fraud fix

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix.exe


its a little complicated, but with a little tinkering, you can clean up your PC.