I haven't installed anything, but while browsing suddenly my start page has
become -
http://smartsearch.ws

even if I set it to "blank", everytime I start browser, it goes back to this
page. I did dig through registry finally and cleaned it. But I am wonderng
how did it happen. I have disabled ActiveX controls on my browser. I did not
click any homepage dialog. I was only browsing.... How did it become
possible? Another security hole in IE 6?

I am curious to know how did it work without an install?????

TIA,
- Manish

"Manish" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)
> I haven't installed anything, but while browsing suddenly my start
> page has become -
> http://smartsearch.ws
>
> even if I set it to "blank", everytime I start browser, it goes back
> to this page. I did dig through registry finally and cleaned it. But
> I am wonderng how did it happen. I have disabled ActiveX controls on
> my browser. I did not click any homepage dialog. I was only
> browsing.... How did it become possible? Another security hole in IE
> 6?
>
> I am curious to know how did it work without an install?????
>
> TIA,
> - Manish

First eliminate any scumware.
See
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Note that AdAware and SpyBot S & D will each catch some things the other
won't. Also, each need to be updated before every use, even when just
downloaded. There's also a lot more to do than just those two programs.
Make sure Cool Web Search is one of the things you look at.
If trying everything at that site does not fix the problem please post back
in the same thread.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP IE/OE
http://www.fjsmjs.com
Reply to Newsgroup. I won't answer email
Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/