Posted: 12/6/2004 7:18:12 AM EDT
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Ok, Im not a computer wiz, but Im not retarded (of course I cant fix this problem). I am running XP pro and have Panda antivirus/internet firewall and Spybot running as well. I have 2 probs: My home page - arfcom keeps changing to blank and I cant keep my tool bar in IE locked - I keep getting this extra tool bars that I cant get to stay gone. second problem: I keep getting redirected to a play strip poker page or a find single in your area page as I search a site (like arfcom or ebay - Im not a big porno fan - Im an OB/GYN  ).Ive done a system restore. Ive run scans several times and removed adware and viruses. Ive turned off system resore and run scans hoping to find something hidden in a protected file there, but its still happening. Any thoughts????? HELP..... |
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you've been 'infected' with redirect dll's or registry hacks. Not really viruses and not really trojans - lumped under spyware or mal-ware. download spybot search and destroy and run it. Does a pretty good job of auto-removal. If nothing else it should identify the problem so you can google for a removal tool or instructions. These things can be VERY persistant and tough to remove. Once you have a solution make sure you're in Safe Mode otherwise it could download and repair itself after you reboot. Companies trick you with pop-up browser screens that look similar to system warnings. You click on the link and it starts downloading software "behind the scenes" - another favorite method is to pop-up with scare tactic warning of infection or unsecured OS. ALl tricks to get you to install the mal-ware. Also weatherbug, search bar add-ons, time-sync'ers etc are usually trojans for these kinds of redirects ... hope this helps. Gun |
+1 This is not a virus, so running scans is futile. Go to www.download.com and download ADAWARE SE. Run it, weekly. It will fix it. Antivirus/firewalls dont stop spyware. Also, get rid of any other "spyware removers" you may have. MANY of them are actually spyware installers, in disguise. |
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THanks guys. I tried adaware last week and ended up spending a few hours getting my computer back running . There was so much crap the unistall left. I may try a scan in safe mode and see where that gets me. The internet version of panda does seem to blast adware pretty well - at least its working at home (but then again that's on a home XP OS not the Pro flavor) Jake, I have no setting tab in the version of spybot (ver1.2) but im downloading 1.3 now. I'll report back... |
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if your home keeps getting set back to about:blank youe have spyware/adware or just plan old malware. Adware and Spy boot are good but i have about a dozen adware applications on my network no matter how much i try the apps don't come off. Many of these program install by IE exploit known as IFrame, The last i check still unpatched. I resovoled myselft to format and install w2K on the 5 computers that have this crab. Generaly your screwed. These applications after being removed will reinstall themselves. If you have no experience with regedit, msconfig I suggest you take the same route. I don't have the time to figure out all the registry entries and startup code is stored to successfuly remove these very annoying applications. After install XP pro download firefox. Sorry |