Explorer Problems

[Guest]

The past day I have not been able to use Internet Explorer. In fact, I had
to use Netscape just to post this question.

Whenever I start Explorer, I receive an error that says that the page can
not be displayed, and it appears to display a default entertainment web page
with a number of links, none of which work.

I've tried changing my default page, but it still trys to display the same
page along with an error. No other web pages can be displayed either, as
explorer will try to connect, but then will return a page not found error,
regardless of the sites I try.

I did download the latest Win XP service pack 2, which includes an update to
explorer, but that didn't fix the problem either.

My kids use AOL for boradband to access the internet, and while I can
connect to AOL, I am unable to connect to any web sites since AOL tryies to
use Explorer. AOL tech support spent quite a bit of time with me on the
phone, but could not solve the problem. They suggested contacting Compaq, or
Microsoft. Before I do that, does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

 

[Malke]

The past day I have not been able to use Internet Explorer. In fact,
I had to use Netscape just to post this question.

Whenever I start Explorer, I receive an error that says that the page
can not be displayed, and it appears to display a default
entertainment web page with a number of links, none of which work.

I've tried changing my default page, but it still trys to display the
same
page along with an error. No other web pages can be displayed either,
as explorer will try to connect, but then will return a page not found
error, regardless of the sites I try.

I did download the latest Win XP service pack 2, which includes an
update to explorer, but that didn't fix the problem either.

My kids use AOL for boradband to access the internet, and while I can
connect to AOL, I am unable to connect to any web sites since AOL
tryies to
use Explorer. AOL tech support spent quite a bit of time with me on
the
phone, but could not solve the problem. They suggested contacting
Compaq, or
Microsoft. Before I do that, does anyone have any suggestions?

You have malware on your computer which needs to be removed. Here are
general removal steps. Do everything with updated tools in Safe Mode.

1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated definitions.

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).

HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and disable hijackers, but
it requires expert skill. See below for HijackThis links. A combination
of HijackThis and About:Buster works well in removing the About:Blank
homepage hijacker. 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 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.

Links to help with malware:

Software/Methods:
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search & Destroy
http://www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-aware
http://www.majorgeeks.com - good download site
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. - SilentRunners

HijackThis:
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm - HijackThis tutorial by Jim
Eshelman
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5 - Spyware Warrior HijackThis
forum
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/

General:
http://forum.aumha.org/ - look under "Security" for various forums
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Malke

 

[Guest]

I have had the same problem, using XP + Sp2 and DSL connection to internet.
The problem stated immediately after installing latest Windows updates on
12/01/2005.
Could still use outlook express & Firefox browser.
So the malware Malke mentions maybe the windows update !

I run Antivirus & Zonalarm firewall & had run Spyware removal within last 2
days.

 

[Malke]

I have had the same problem, using XP + Sp2 and DSL connection to
internet. The problem stated immediately after installing latest
Windows updates on 12/01/2005.
Could still use outlook express & Firefox browser.
So the malware Malke mentions maybe the windows update !

I run Antivirus & Zonalarm firewall & had run Spyware removal within
last 2 days.

It is completely unlikely that a Windows update caused problems with the
Original Poster's machine. If you want to explore what happened in your
particular case, make a new post. It is always fun to blame Windows
updates for problems, but not usually accurate. I am not saying that an
update never causes problems, but it is not common and is not the issue
for the OP.

If you carefully read the OP's post, you will see that his browser was
clearly hijacked and therefore he will need to clean up his machine.

Malke

 

[XPUSER]

No, the malware is not any Windows Update,
or the same thing would be happening to
everyone that has installed the same updates.
I assure you that is not the case, as I have
all Windows Updates installed and do not
have the issue. What AV are you running?
What Anti Spyware are you running?
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