I have the virus/worm/trojan that among other things changes my IE
Start page. More annoying than anything.

I recently installed Norton Professional Edition 2003--it spotted the
virus/worm/trojan but said it could not repair it. I chose instead to
Quarantine it. I did another Full System scan and after Quarantine the
Scan showed No viruses on my entire system.

Problem: my damn Start Page STILL is getting changed without my
Consent (usually to a Porn Search Engine). Is this just an "incurable"
situation? I thought for sure that once I had updated DAT files and
Quarantined the "bugger" the Start Page issue would end. It has not.

Any thoughts would be appreciated and implemented!!

TY.

Hi Michael.

Out of curiosity, which page are you being directed to? I was playing with
some html from emails that were being flagged by my spam/av software and I
ended up with this horrible 'surferbar' browser hijacker--was more of a pain
to remove than most viruses Ive dealt with. It would replace the start page
right in front of my eyes in IE internet options even after i manually
switched back.

I found the solution finally at http://www.pchell.com/

Also try adaware from lavasoft or spybot or hijackthis for browser
invasions.

"Michael A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have the virus/worm/trojan that among other things changes my IE
> Start page. More annoying than anything.
>
> I recently installed Norton Professional Edition 2003--it spotted the
> virus/worm/trojan but said it could not repair it. I chose instead to
> Quarantine it. I did another Full System scan and after Quarantine the
> Scan showed No viruses on my entire system.
>
> Problem: my damn Start Page STILL is getting changed without my
> Consent (usually to a Porn Search Engine). Is this just an "incurable"
> situation? I thought for sure that once I had updated DAT files and
> Quarantined the "bugger" the Start Page issue would end. It has not.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated and implemented!!
>
> TY.

Michael A.

"Michael A." <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have the virus/worm/trojan that among other things changes my IE
> Start page. More annoying than anything.
>
> I recently installed Norton Professional Edition 2003--it spotted the
> virus/worm/trojan but said it could not repair it. I chose instead to
> Quarantine it. I did another Full System scan and after Quarantine the
> Scan showed No viruses on my entire system.
>
> Problem: my damn Start Page STILL is getting changed without my
> Consent (usually to a Porn Search Engine). Is this just an "incurable"
> situation? I thought for sure that once I had updated DAT files and
> Quarantined the "bugger" the Start Page issue would end. It has not.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated and implemented!!
>
> TY.

Just say NO to Norton! Really, Norton has some good qualities, but, it's
also known to cause more problems than it ever solves. There are a number of
Free AV's that do as good, or much better job, and don't mess around with
your system like Norton...any version. I'm not an expert, but, if you just
take a walk down the line of the posts here, you will find a wealth of
information on many very good AV's that do as good a job as Norton, and
don't cause the kind of system problems Norton does, with any OS. Just try
to concentrate on the noted website references, and research for yourself
the various programs that are recommended... ;-)

Best regards,
Jan

"Jan Il" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:6Dplb.72508$vj2.49653@fed1read06...
> Just say NO to Norton! Really, Norton has some good qualities, but, it's
> also known to cause more problems than it ever solves. There are a number
of
> Free AV's that do as good, or much better job, and don't mess around with
> your system like Norton...any version. I'm not an expert,


Name some free antivirus programs that scores as high as Norton at finding
viruses and trojans and have the option of checking incoming and outgoing
email.
(Please don't say AVG)
Most anti-virus programs won't find 'hijackers'. Programs such as
SpywareBlaster can prevent the hijack and programs such as AdAware and
SpyBot can detect them.
Have you ever tried Norton, or are you just 'bashing' because of what you
'heard'?


> but, if you just
> take a walk down the line of the posts here, you will find a wealth of
> information on many very good AV's that do as good a job as Norton, and
> don't cause the kind of system problems Norton does, with any OS. Just
try
> to concentrate on the noted website references, and research for yourself
> the various programs that are recommended... ;-)
>
> Best regards,
> Jan

"Michael A." <> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have the virus/worm/trojan that among other things changes my IE
> Start page. More annoying than anything.
>
> I recently installed Norton Professional Edition 2003--it spotted the
> virus/worm/trojan but said it could not repair it. I chose instead to
> Quarantine it. I did another Full System scan and after Quarantine the
> Scan showed No viruses on my entire system.
>
> Problem: my damn Start Page STILL is getting changed without my
> Consent (usually to a Porn Search Engine). Is this just an "incurable"
> situation? I thought for sure that once I had updated DAT files and
> Quarantined the "bugger" the Start Page issue would end. It has not.
>
> Any thoughts would be appreciated and implemented!!
>
> TY.

How do spammers harvest email addresses
http://www.private.org.il/harvest.html

SPAM - Munging Your Email Address
http://members.aol.com/emailfaq/mungfaq.html
http://www.internet-tips.net/Email/SPAM_munging.htm

From a Post by PA Bear:

"Read the latest about this constantly changing hijacker:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/newslette...ves/0903/3.php
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

A Removal Tool: CWS Shredder
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/cwshredder.zip
(unzip and follow the prompts)

NB: CWS Shredder is constantly updated to reflect new variants. Get the
updated tool before each use.

So it doesn't come back, you must run HijackThis which will identify the
RunOnce entry which can then be deleted.

e.g.: O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [win32] c:\program files\winsrv32.exe

Using HijackThis: http://snurl.com/1vf8

Make certain your anti-virus definitions are up-to-date and run a full
system scan frequently (always after downloading new definitions).
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE)"

Hope this helps,
Buffalo

Hi Buff!

"Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@noBS.nada> wrote in message
news:NBxlb.610031$cF.280304@rwcrnsc53...
>
> "Jan Il" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:6Dplb.72508$vj2.49653@fed1read06...
> > Just say NO to Norton! Really, Norton has some good qualities, but,
it's
> > also known to cause more problems than it ever solves. There are a
number
> of
> > Free AV's that do as good, or much better job, and don't mess around
with
> > your system like Norton...any version. I'm not an expert,
>
>
> Name some free antivirus programs that scores as high as Norton at finding
> viruses and trojans and have the option of checking incoming and outgoing
> email.
> (Please don't say AVG)
> Most anti-virus programs won't find 'hijackers'. Programs such as
> SpywareBlaster can prevent the hijack and programs such as AdAware and
> SpyBot can detect them.
> Have you ever tried Norton, or are you just 'bashing' because of what you
> 'heard'?
>
Installed it on my test PC based upon an 'experts advice' about how
efficient and fool-proof it was.....didn't stop any more junk then any of
the others......got bit by it big time when it totally trashed my system.
Actually, which AV is the best, or worst, is an on-going argument, not just
here, but, in many other ng's. And, Norton is known to present the most
problems to OS's, and very serious ones to some.

I too have SpyBot, AdAware and ZoneAlarm, and yes, I do use AVG 6.0
(yep...the Free version) on my work PC, which I update automatically.
I also periodically run a House Call or other outside program just to double
check if it's doing it's job, and I don't have any
viruses...virusi....viri...
....virum...whatevers. I let MW take care of my Swens 'n spam. So,
maybe it's just a matter of whether or not you like green eggs and ham? ;-))

Best regards,
Jan

>
>

"Jan Il" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote...

[snip]
> viruses...virusi....viri...
> ...virum...whatevers. I let MW take care of my Swens 'n spam. So, maybe
> it's just a matter of whether or not you like green eggs and ham? ;-))

I do not like those Swens 'n spam,
I do not like them, Sam I am!

"Jan Il" <> wrote in message news:ChAlb.72545$vj2.26282@fed1read06...
> Hi Buff!

> Installed it on my test PC based upon an 'experts advice' about how
> efficient and fool-proof it was.....didn't stop any more junk then any of
> the others......got bit by it big time when it totally trashed my system.
> Actually, which AV is the best, or worst, is an on-going argument, not
just
> here, but, in many other ng's. And, Norton is known to present the most
> problems to OS's, and very serious ones to some.
>
> I too have SpyBot, AdAware and ZoneAlarm, and yes, I do use AVG 6.0
> (yep...the Free version) on my work PC, which I update automatically.
> I also periodically run a House Call or other outside program just to
double
> check if it's doing it's job, and I don't have any
> viruses...virusi....viri...
> ...virum...whatevers. I let MW take care of my Swens 'n spam. So,
> maybe it's just a matter of whether or not you like green eggs and ham?
;-))
>
> Best regards,
> Jan

I used Norton Systemworks2002 Pro for several years. The first time was on
my older system which was running Win98 with a Cel366 @ 550MHz and shortly
after I installed it, I had to uninstall it and reinstall it to correct a
problem. The only thing I have running all the time is the 'auto-protect'
feature and the mail check feature. I never had another problem with it and
it did not slow my PC down, that I could ever tell. (I am also a gamer)

I now use it on my 'newer' system; Win98SE with an Athlon xp2100+ and it
still works flawlessly with no apparent slowdowns or sluggishness.

When I install or uninstall a major program like this, I Disable the
'boot virus detection' in the BIOS first, boot into Windows and make sure my
temp files are deleted and then install with only Explorer and Systray
running on a freshly defragged disk.

Some folks probably use the 'Cleansweep' feature and/or the 'SystemDoctor'
feature full-time and that is probably where some slowdown probably happens.

I hear Norton get 'bashed' all the time, but sometimes I wonder how much of
it is 'operator failure'.
I think Norton's Speed Disk is a very quick and dependable defragger.
Their 'auto-protect' has halted my PC several times with warnings while on
the Internet.
I find no fault with their anti-virus program other than I have to pay for
it.

In an earlier post today, by Zantafio (Virus: Firewall and antivirus, trojan
scanners, .. disabled - How to ?) I bet he wishes he had the incoming and
outgoing mail protection feature of Norton. If he had, he most likely would
not have the problems he is having now.
Buffalo :-)

"Ant" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:bn7b4c$pqo$(E-Mail Removed)...
> "Jan Il" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote...
>
> [snip]
> > viruses...virusi....viri...
> > ...virum...whatevers. I let MW take care of my Swens 'n spam. So, maybe
> > it's just a matter of whether or not you like green eggs and ham? ;-))
>
> I do not like those Swens 'n spam,
> I do not like them, Sam I am!

Hi there Sam! Well...I'm with you.
And I hate Trojans, Blaster, and SoBig too.

'Cause they keep changing their name,
and bodies, being nowhere near the same,
which makes finding the right filters,
a tiresome, continuous game. :-((

Seems everyone has an answer,
but, they don't always seem to work,
as the ornery 'lil bugs wanna be jerks,
and keep coming up with a whole new quirk.

Thank you Sam.
Jan, I am


>
>

"Buffalo" <eric(nospam)@noBS.nada> wrote in message
news:GpGlb.3040$Tr4.19141@attbi_s03...
>
> "Jan Il" <> wrote in message news:ChAlb.72545$vj2.26282@fed1read06...
> > Hi Buff!
>
> > Installed it on my test PC based upon an 'experts advice' about how
> > efficient and fool-proof it was.....didn't stop any more junk then any
of
> > the others......got bit by it big time when it totally trashed my
system.
> > Actually, which AV is the best, or worst, is an on-going argument, not
> just
> > here, but, in many other ng's. And, Norton is known to present the most
> > problems to OS's, and very serious ones to some.
> >
> > I too have SpyBot, AdAware and ZoneAlarm, and yes, I do use AVG 6.0
> > (yep...the Free version) on my work PC, which I update automatically.
> > I also periodically run a House Call or other outside program just to
> double
> > check if it's doing it's job, and I don't have any
> > viruses...virusi....viri...
> > ...virum...whatevers. I let MW take care of my Swens 'n spam. So,
> > maybe it's just a matter of whether or not you like green eggs and ham?
> ;-))
> >
> > Best regards,
> > Jan
>
> I used Norton Systemworks2002 Pro for several years. The first time was on
> my older system which was running Win98 with a Cel366 @ 550MHz and shortly
> after I installed it, I had to uninstall it and reinstall it to correct a
> problem. The only thing I have running all the time is the 'auto-protect'
> feature and the mail check feature. I never had another problem with it
and
> it did not slow my PC down, that I could ever tell. (I am also a gamer)

Well... now....who am I, a mere novice, to argue with a 'gamer'.. ;-)))
My version was an older one, can't remember which one right off, as I really
try not to got there. So...you don't have the Full Monty going all the time?
Hmm...interesting....

> I now use it on my 'newer' system; Win98SE with an Athlon xp2100+ and it
> still works flawlessly with no apparent slowdowns or sluggishness.

2 thumbs up!

> When I install or uninstall a major program like this, I Disable the
> 'boot virus detection' in the BIOS first, boot into Windows and make sure
my
> temp files are deleted and then install with only Explorer and Systray
> running on a freshly defragged disk.
>
> Some folks probably use the 'Cleansweep' feature and/or the 'SystemDoctor'
> feature full-time and that is probably where some slowdown probably
happens.

I never ran the Quacker...er...Doctor. He seemed to make waaayyyy too many
house calls. Not only that, but, I had to more or less ask permission or
consult it for anything I wanted to do. Sheesh...It was like being married!
The nice difference was, I could end it by just shutting down the
computer. ;-))
>
> I hear Norton get 'bashed' all the time, but sometimes I wonder how much
of
> it is 'operator failure'.

I'll give you that you may be justified in saying that some of the problems
were user error, as are many problems with other programs, but, there are
features of Norton that are not always compatible with some OS's. I'm not
out to 'bash' Norton really, just to point out that there are other programs
that really are just as good, and more 'general user' friendly, and thus,
less likely to cause problems. Ya see, you know how to do the stuff with
BIOS and other types of 'puter stuff to work with it. But, the average PC
user is not that 'puter savvy, nor most likely a 'gamer'. So, in this
respect, is it really fair to take YOUR experience and compare it to the
average, or novice user, and say, if Norton screws them up it is their
fault?

> I think Norton's Speed Disk is a very quick and dependable defragger.
> Their 'auto-protect' has halted my PC several times with warnings while on
> the Internet.
> I find no fault with their anti-virus program other than I have to pay for
> it.

While I will agree with the Speed Disk feature, however, I found many of
it's other features created locks ups, hang ups, sudden blue screens of the
gulping kind, sudden shut downs, varied out of context error messages, and
it caused me to lose a LOT of very detailed work due to the sudden reboots
out of the blue. :-((
>
> In an earlier post today, by Zantafio (Virus: Firewall and antivirus,
trojan
> scanners, .. disabled - How to ?) I bet he wishes he had the incoming and
> outgoing mail protection feature of Norton. If he had, he most likely
would
> not have the problems he is having now.

Perhaps....but, even the best AV, be it Norton or other wise, will not save
your
buns from being flamed by a virus if you don't really know how to use it
properly, and also incorporate the gray-matter between the ears. Even
Norton won't know to toss you a Lifesaver when you fall overboard if you
don't tell it to do so. So, it's still a good idea to keep a Mae West
handy...just in case you forgot to cover *all* the emergency procedures with
Norton ... :-))

> Buffalo :-)

Jan

>
>
>
>
>