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I'm Ready To Smash My Computer

Luke T.

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L
Joined
May 2, 2003
Messages
14,716
My home page keeps getting hijacked. I have run CWShredder, Spybot, HijackThis, and AVG antivirus software umpteen times, along with manually deleting all my temporary internet files, turning restore points off and back on, fiddling with msconfig, resetting my home page, and STILL!!! keep getting hijacked. I have uploaded and installed every patch and update for Windows XP there is.

I swear to God, if any idiot makes the mistake of telling me he has ever written a computer virus to my face, I will rip HIS face OFF!!!

These weird files keep showing up in my My Documents directory. They are named "Backup-" followed by a series of numbers. I keep deleting these also.

HELP!
 
There's really not much you can do about it if you continue to use IE, unless you install software that prevents web pages from running certain activeX controls or Javascript.

It's not a virus, it's malicious code in some of the web pages that you're visiting (I think).

If you absolutely have to use IE, you can use software like Guard Wall to block pop ups and activeX controls, but more then likely you'll have to pay for it.

--Dan
 
Spybot S&D and gpedit.msc

Spybot has a utility that allows you to lock the homepage. Also, if you are running Windows XP Pro, you can get into the Group Policy editor by running gpsedit.msc in your Run box in the start menu. I can't tell you exactly where to find the "switch" but there is a setting amongst the settings that will not allow anything or anyone to change the homepage settings (or any of the internet control panel settings for that matter).

Of all the advice on this thread, the guy that said "Switch to Firefox" is the most correct. It's a great browser, far more features than IE (adblock, tabbed browsing etc.). You don't get even a fraction of the spyware problems that you get with IE.

Do It!
 
Yep, you've had your homepage hijacked all right. Happened to me too, and I'm also on XP-Pro.

Solution (as mentioned above): Give IE the flick now. Get Firefox. Problem gone.
 
I use HistoryKill to tidy up after a long browsing session, and amongst its many functions is a warning screen that pops up whenever something attempts to change your home page. It does a reasonable job of blocking pop-up windows. You just have to get used to holding down the Ctrl key when you open a new browser window.

I'm using the version previous to the latest. I tried the new one, just because I qualify for lifetime free upgrades, but didn't see any advantage for using the larger, more complicated new release. Still, it --DID-- work just fine; I just dumped it it go back to the version I was most familiar with.

Regards;
Beanbag
 
You say you are using Hijack This, but are you getting good advice on what process may be running that is hijacking you? Go to Spywareinfo.com and post your log there, the experts will help you sort through it.
 
Luke, local weather's suggestion is good, if not just for your homepage hijacking problem, it is informative and beneficial for XP users who might want to maintain strict control over certain areas of XP.

If you can restore your homepage and get rid of the b.s., do so and before opening IE, run the Group Policy Editor by typing "gpedit.msc" in the run box.

The home page setting is at:

Administrative Templates
Windows Components
Internet Explorer
Disable changing home page settings

Check out all of the other settings as well.

Dual Electric chair time
 
Try doing this. It won't find the spyware but it should lock your homepage to what you want.

Hauteden
 
Luke T. said:
My home page keeps getting hijacked. I have run CWShredder, Spybot, HijackThis, and AVG antivirus software umpteen times, along with manually deleting all my temporary internet files, turning restore points off and back on, fiddling with msconfig, resetting my home page, and STILL!!! keep getting hijacked. I have uploaded and installed every patch and update for Windows XP there is.

I swear to God, if any idiot makes the mistake of telling me he has ever written a computer virus to my face, I will rip HIS face OFF!!!

These weird files keep showing up in my My Documents directory. They are named "Backup-" followed by a series of numbers. I keep deleting these also.

HELP!
Click to expand...

It really gets on my t*ts when my homepage gets changed.
 
Zep said:
Yep, you've had your homepage hijacked all right. Happened to me too, and I'm also on XP-Pro.

Solution (as mentioned above): Give IE the flick now. Get Firefox. Problem gone.
Click to expand...

Firefox? Do you mean firebird?
 
ShowMe said:

What home page does it keep redirecting you to? It may not be one hijack; you may just be getting hijacked after you clean one up.
Click to expand...

That's what happening. It is a different home page each time. The last one was some sort of auto insurance page. I should have saved the company name and sued the ◊◊◊◊ out of them. And how can they possibly believe anyone would buy their insurance after doing such a bastardly thing to their computer???
 
Luke. What programs have you recently d/l'd and installed, if any.
Also, use the "Hosts File" option in Spybot.
I use Adaware in adition to spybot, it catches a few things spybot does not.
And, do you get the web updates for spybot on a regular basis? Very important.

I hope any of this helps.
 
Re: Spybot S&D and gpedit.msc

local weather said:
Spybot has a utility that allows you to lock the homepage. Also, if you are running Windows XP Pro, you can get into the Group Policy editor by running gpsedit.msc in your Run box in the start menu. I can't tell you exactly where to find the "switch" but there is a setting amongst the settings that will not allow anything or anyone to change the homepage settings (or any of the internet control panel settings for that matter).

Of all the advice on this thread, the guy that said "Switch to Firefox" is the most correct. It's a great browser, far more features than IE (adblock, tabbed browsing etc.). You don't get even a fraction of the spyware problems that you get with IE.

Do It!
Click to expand...

Spybot did not have a utility to lock my homepage. But I just installed spywareblocker, and it did. We'll see what happens.
 
Brian said:
Luke. What programs have you recently d/l'd and installed, if any.
Also, use the "Hosts File" option in Spybot.
I use Adaware in adition to spybot, it catches a few things spybot does not.
And, do you get the web updates for spybot on a regular basis? Very important.

I hope any of this helps.
Click to expand...

I have not d/l or installed any new programs.

I check for updates to spybot every time I use it. I just ran Ad Aware. Nothing.

The locking of my home page seems to be working, but I would like to know where the virus is hiding and kill it. CWShredder, AVG anti-virus, AdAware and Spybot all say I'm clean!
 
It really is not a virus but what do you care... Does the adware program start at boot up even after you try to get rid of the crap? Then you find your homepage has changed, and 4 or 5 new programs have re-installed on your computer? If so, they are registry entered, and must be uninstalled using their companies uninstaller first, then you have to search your registry and delete the appropriate class file lines. I can help you go through it if you want to try.
 
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