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Posted by =?Utf-8?B?Q09TVEVMTE8=?= on July 18, 2005, 9:50 am
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People,
Someone might be able to help. Sorry for the trouble. I have about:blank
when i connect to internet and also an additional toolbar with icons on it
such as gambling, finance, insurance. Can't think of what else. My system is
not reporting any other problems. I ran Spybot in advanced mode and fixed
problems such as e-acceleration and its also set up not to allow about:blank
in as i have microsoft.com set as homepage. Toolbar still there. Now when i
connect to internet i get warning from spybot so im thinking of uninstalling
it or setting it to default mode.
My operating system is Windows XP. I also have norton antivirus 2003 which
is up to date as i ran live update. Im thinking of running a full system scan
which will probably take hours. Should this solve my problem or should i
download windows beta and will that solve problem.
Sorry for the big long message..
COSTELLO
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Posted by Malke on July 18, 2005, 10:09 am
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COSTELLO wrote:
> People,
>
> Someone might be able to help. Sorry for the trouble. I have
> about:blank when i connect to internet and also an additional toolbar
> with icons on it such as gambling, finance, insurance. Can't think of
> what else. My system is not reporting any other problems. I ran Spybot
> in advanced mode and fixed problems such as e-acceleration and its
> also set up not to allow about:blank in as i have microsoft.com set as
> homepage. Toolbar still there. Now when i connect to internet i get
> warning from spybot so im thinking of uninstalling it or setting it to
> default mode.
>
> My operating system is Windows XP. I also have norton antivirus 2003
> which is up to date as i ran live update. Im thinking of running a
> full system scan
> which will probably take hours. Should this solve my problem or
> should i download windows beta and will that solve problem.
Please go through the following general malware removal steps
systematically, even though you've already done some work. All scanning
should be done with updated tools in Safe Mode.
First delete all Temporary and Temporary Internet Files. For IE's
Temporary Files, go to Control Panel>Internet Options>General tab.
You'll see where you can delete cookies and files. For Firefox, clear
its cache by going to Tools>Options>Privacy>Cache> Clear. For Windows
Temporary files, Start>Run cleanmgr [enter]. To clear Sun Java's cache,
Start>Settings>Control Panel>Java applet>Cache>Clear or follow the same
path to the Java applet and then to General>Settings>Delete files.
Then follow these detailed malware removal steps, doing everything with
updated tools in Safe Mode. You can find all the links to referenced
programs and sites on my website here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2004)
antivirus using updated definitions.
Before you remove malware, get LSPFix or WinSockFix for XP - see links
below.
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).
If the malware remains even after you used Ad-aware and Spybot, you can
scan with HijackThis. HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and
disable hijackers, but it requires expert skill. See the links on my
website for a HijackThis tutorial and places where you can post your
HJT log. 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 after the system is clean 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.
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
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Posted by =?Utf-8?B?UGFuZGFfbWFu?= on July 18, 2005, 2:05 pm
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First I do not understand if this toolbar is wanted,do you use it.If
so,everything about it seems to be fine,but if you do not want it,you should
remove it
Goto Start->Settings->Control Panel->Add/Remove Programs
and
Then follow my malware removal instructions and...
Your AV software is very old.Norton 2003 is from 2003 ,so I recommend you to
use newer version,at least from 2004.
If you prefer Norton,visit
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/downloads/default.mspx and see
different kinds of free or trial security software
On this Microsoft page you can download Norton antivirus 2004 and use it
free for 90 days.
So...the instructions:
1.Delete all Temporary Internet Files
For IE's Temporary Internet Files
Goto Start->Settings->Control Panel->Internet Options
There ,on the General Tab yo will see where you can delete temporary
files,cookies,history
Delete them all.
2.Other
On the Security tab make sure the Internet level is Medium
On the Privacy tab make sure the level is Medium High.
On the Content tab ,goto Auto complete and Delete(clear) forms and passwords
3.Delete the temporary files
You should empty the Temps folder.
For XP
The path is :
C:\Documents and Settings\USER\Local Settings
USER-that is your user name in your computer
and
C:\Windows\Temp
4.Remove spywares ,adwares ,hijackers and other junk
Download Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
and
http://www.safer-networking.org/microsoft.en.html
These programs are free of charge,
they are compatiable to each other, so use them together.
Be sure to update these programs before running.
You can also scan in Safe Mode.
5.Boot your computer in Safe Mode
Do this by repeatedly typing F8 while Windows is starting.
Then you'll open the BIOS menu where you can choose SAFE MODE.
(If you are XP user ,find more about Safe Mode in Help and Support Center
Start-Help and Suport)
6.Scan all your system with antivirus software.
Before scanning make sure all the security settings are turned ON
(example: scanning All files,disinfecting,heuristic scan,behaviour analyze
or detecting spyware,hacking tools,jokes and so on…..)
and
Make sure the program is updated! It would be better if you scan in Safe
Mode,too.
Some very good antivirus softwares:
Panda http://www.pandasoftware.com AV+
Kaspersky http://www.kaspersky.com AV+
Norton http://www.symantec.com AV+
McAfee http://www.mcafee.com AV+
F-prot http://www.f-prot.com
AV+ means that the program can detect either viruses,trojans,worms and
other security threats
Keep in mind that from those web-sites you can download only trial versions
of the product.
You have to pay to use an av software for a long time.
7.System Restore (for XP and ME only)
If you are running Windows ME or XP,
you have to disable/enable System Restore
AFTER the system is clean of all kind of malware
because malware will be in Restore Points.
Right click on My Computer->Properties->System Restore
Make a tick on Turn off system restore.Click OK
Then again Right click on My computer-?Properties->System Restore
Disable the tick on Turn off system restore
8.Windows Update
Make sure you visit Windows Update regularly and
download all the security updates - Express and Critical updates.
Start -> Windows Updates
or
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
(ME and XP) It will be great if you turn on Automatic Updates.
Right clock on My computer -> Properties -> Automatic updates ->
Download update automatically,but let me choose when to install them
9.Use an internet firewall
Firewall is one of the most important things for the good security in 21
century.
Why you need a firewall??? A firewall is a protective boundary between a
computer (or a network of computers)
and the outside world, where people or programs might try to access your
computer without invitation.
Hackers commonly use software that scans the Internet looking for computers
with unprotected Internet connections.
This software sends a very small message to your computer. If your computer
does not have a firewall, your computer
will automatically answer the message and thus announce that it is
unprotected. But if you have set up a firewall,
it will receive such messages and not answer them, so hackers won't even
know that your computer exists.
(If you are XP user ,find more in Help and Support Center
Start->Help and Support. Type : firewall)
If you have Windows XP
SP1 and SP2 have different types of firewall :
Internet Connection Firewall (ICF) for SP1 and
Windows Firewall (WF) for SP2
Both ICF and WF can protect your computer from access by hackers on
the Internet, with no need to download and use a separate software
firewall.
Service Pack 1
Internet connection firewall (ICF) is partial firewall.
It is BEST for use only on a direct connection to the Internet
(e.g. dial-up, DSL, or cable modem).
By default, it blocks File and Printer Sharing, so it isn't suitable for use
on a connection to other
computers on a local area network.
So ,if you have (or use) Local Area network ,ICF cannot provide very good
security.
Nevertheless,it must be turned on !!!
In LAN's ,you may also use software firewall (for example: Norton's
firewall,Kaspersky’s firewall and other)
for better security. More information,on the web-sites of these companies)
Goto Start-> Settings-> Contol Panel-> Network Connections
Choose the connection you use,then right click on it->Advanced
Here ,you can enable or disable it.
Service Pack 2
You have built-in firewall.
Full firewall,suitable for all kind of connections and users.
Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Windows Firewall
Make sure the Firewall is turned ON
See also the exceptions list in Windows Firewall.
If you are home user and you do not want to play network games,exchange
different files over chat and other,
you can make a tick on Don’t allow exception
This guarantees you a maximum protection for hachers,network viruses,worms
and other.
!!! It is very important to know that you must not use more that one
firewall.
If you are XP SP 2 user,you have built in firewall and don't have to use
other software firewall.Two different firewall will definitely cause serious
problems to your computer .
If you use WF,check for different software if they have firewall in them
and if they have,disable theirs firewall,because you need only 1 firewall-
Windows Firewall.
If you use firewall,
different from Windows Firewall,disable WF)
10.Visit www.microsoft.com/protect
and learn more about different types of security things
Visit http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/downloads/default.mspx
and see different kinds of free or trial security software
These things are very useful.
Often goto Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Security center and see
whether the most important thing for your PC are working correctly.
"Sorry for the big long message" - You do not have to apologise for
that.See my post :-)
Good luck!
"COSTELLO" wrote:
> People,
>
> Someone might be able to help. Sorry for the trouble. I have about:blank
> when i connect to internet and also an additional toolbar with icons on it
> such as gambling, finance, insurance. Can't think of what else. My system is
> not reporting any other problems. I ran Spybot in advanced mode and fixed
> problems such as e-acceleration and its also set up not to allow about:blank
> in as i have microsoft.com set as homepage. Toolbar still there. Now when i
> connect to internet i get warning from spybot so im thinking of uninstalling
> it or setting it to default mode.
>
> My operating system is Windows XP. I also have norton antivirus 2003 which
> is up to date as i ran live update. Im thinking of running a full system scan
> which will probably take hours. Should this solve my problem or should i
> download windows beta and will that solve problem.
>
> Sorry for the big long message..
>
> COSTELLO
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