Dialup connections settings change (Number & username), virus?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gary Helfert
  • Start date Start date
G

Gary Helfert

Don't know if this is a virus or just a user error. When I try and connect
to earthlink I
noticed my access number & username has changed. When I edit and assign the
correct
access number & username it always seems to go back to the bogus one.
PS: The bogus one never connects to anything, I just get an error.
I am using Outlook Express, XP Home.
Any viruses out there that mess with dialup connections?
 
Anti-virus programs can change your email server settings, but I haven't
heard of any programs changing your access number and username info.
 
Don't know if this is a virus or just a user error. When I try and
connect to earthlink I
noticed my access number & username has changed. When I edit and
assign the correct
access number & username it always seems to go back to the bogus one.
PS: The bogus one never connects to anything, I just get an error.
I am using Outlook Express, XP Home.
Any viruses out there that mess with dialup connections?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily viruses, but there are certainly programs out there (known
as spyware, or commercial parasites) that will change your dialler
settings.

In the UK this problem is being combatted via the ICSTIS:
http://www.icstis.org.uk/icstis2002/default.asp?Node=61

To protect your system, you need to use not only an anti-virus program but
also one or more anti-parasite programs too.

See:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=827315
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
 
I recently had to visit a remote site with this problem - their vpn
connection had an error dialling.
When I got there, the dialup number had changed, and would keep changing
after I reset it. Googling revealed this to be a known issue with
spyware, malware or whatever you want to call it.

I downloaded a2 (http://www.emsisoft.com/en/) - a tool with a free use
option, which successfully detected and removed a trojan on the machine.
Give it a shot - it's free! Obviously for corporate use you should
obtain the appropriate licence, but this will at least clear your
problem quickly if it's a trojan causing it.

HTH

Andy
 
What was the name of the spyware you found on your PC? I would like to track
it down without installing more anti-spyware tools.

Thanks for your reply
Gary
 
GaryH said:
What was the name of the spyware you found on your PC? I would like to
track
it down without installing more anti-spyware tools.

Thanks for your reply
Gary
Click to expand...

Not sure - I just deleted it. I was working on the personal pc of the
company chairman, in his unheated mansion. I was more concerned with not
freezing to death than recoding details. Sorry! :o(
All I remember was it said TrojanDownloader(something), but I think that
covers quite a list of culprits!

Andy
 
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