In the past few days I noticed something added to the registry. Such
as HKey_Current_User\112946753
I have never had this before so I delete it and it reappears when I go
online the next day. Is this a virus? I have Defender Pro 20008
installed with Windows XP Home SP3
lol, I imagine you might be going nuts with 3 different sets of advice
to scan things differently like that, but ... in reality they are all
perfectly good suggestions. My advice would be to start with Malke and
nass's suggestions, then Mick's if neither of the first two fix
anything.
I'm sure it sounds like a lot of hassle, but with spyware and other
malicious programs, it seems there is no single program that can catch
everything. Amongst the three of them you have had recommended about
the best sets of malware detectors you could find. I'm tempted to add
to that list, but I'll resist it for the moment<g>; those should serve
you well.
I am assuming that the occurrence of this registry key did not occur at
the same time you installed any programs or updates, or changed system
settings, right? If it was coincident with a program install, then the
first thing to try would be to uninstall that program or revert the
system setting and see if it goes away.
IMO you should come back and explain if any of them make a difference
but do not actually fix it.
The hive entry you show does sound suspicious and that's whey they
made the recommendations they did.
If none of them work, also come back of course, and explain what did
happen. There are still quite a few possibilities to consider to take
care of the issue.
You should minimize the use of that computer until you have it sorted
out, I'd think. It may be harmless or it might be perparing to eat
files or something else malicious; it's hard to tell.
I would recommend however that you do a complete backup of ALL of
your valuable data NOW. Any pictures, letters, spreadsheets,
presentations, etc., that you would have a hard time replacing should be
backd up so you won't lose t hem. Best case you'll never need them but
worst case you will, plus you'll have the problem of one of them
possibly containing the malicious program and you'll need to sort that
out. But it's bettern than losing everything. Don't worry about your
operating system and programs: Those you cna always reinstall if you
have to. Remember, I suggested you try to minimize use of the computer
so, beyond the backup, try to stop using it except for the
trouble-shooting efforts.
My 2 ¢, anyway,
Twayne
