source of WinFavorites malware

I ran AdAware recently and it found WinFavorites malware on my system.

Is is possible to determine where the malware came from? To my knowledge no questionable websites have been visited, and I was surprised to see this on my computer.

[[This adware program must be manually installed or installed as a component
of another program.]]
Adware.WinFavorites
http://securityresponse.symantec.co...nfavorites.html

Most likely it installed as part of some other software. You may have
downloaded some questionable "FREE" software that installed this.

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In news:37DAA0D2-D89E-432D-A41E-2CACB12C4EEE@microsoft.com,
Red Eagle <bogusaddress@fakenet.com> hunted and pecked:
> I ran AdAware recently and it found WinFavorites malware on my system.
>
> Is is possible to determine where the malware came from? To my
> knowledge no questionable websites have been visited, and I was
> surprised to see this on my computer.

Wes, I don't recall downloading any type of software. My surfing habits are pretty basic, limited to the standard websites.

"Wesley Vogel" wrote:

> [[This adware program must be manually installed or installed as a component
> of another program.]]
> Adware.WinFavorites
> http://securityresponse.symantec.co...nfavorites.html
>
> Most likely it installed as part of some other software. You may have
> downloaded some questionable "FREE" software that installed this.
>
> --
> Hope this helps. Let us know.
> Wes
>
> In news:37DAA0D2-D89E-432D-A41E-2CACB12C4EEE@microsoft.com,
> Red Eagle <bogusaddress@fakenet.com> hunted and pecked:
> > I ran AdAware recently and it found WinFavorites malware on my system.
> >
> > Is is possible to determine where the malware came from? To my
> > knowledge no questionable websites have been visited, and I was
> > surprised to see this on my computer.
>
>

Well, Red Eagle, as Symantec said, "This adware program must be manually
installed or installed as a component of another program."

That's all I know about this particular piece of scumware.

First. Make sure of these settings and nothing will install without you
answering YES. (Except what may install as part of some other software.)

Start | Settings | Control Panel | Internet Options | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]

 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if a Web
page needs them in order to display the page properly or perform a
particular task.]]

Apply | OK
=================================

Second. If you need a scan right now.

Follow the instructions!
THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.php

======================

Third.
It is known as Scumware. Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are really good.
Download, install, run, update and run again; one or all. They are all
good, FREE utilities.

>>>>>>>>>> Run CWShredder first!!! <<<<<<<<<<<<

1) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from
ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) Spybot S & D
http://www.safer-networking.org/ind...n&page=download

4) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanne...source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
===============

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/defaul...27315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc...re.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In news:093BAFF3-28FE-41DF-A28C-186397799B7F@microsoft.com,
Red Eagle <bogusaddress@fakenet.com> hunted and pecked:
> Wes, I don't recall downloading any type of software. My surfing
> habits are pretty basic, limited to the standard websites.
>
> "Wesley Vogel" wrote:
>
>> [[This adware program must be manually installed or installed as a
>> component of another program.]]
>> Adware.WinFavorites
>>
http://securityresponse.symantec.co...nfavorites.html
>>
>> Most likely it installed as part of some other software. You may
>> have downloaded some questionable "FREE" software that installed
>> this.
>>
>> --
>> Hope this helps. Let us know.
>> Wes
>>
>> In news:37DAA0D2-D89E-432D-A41E-2CACB12C4EEE@microsoft.com,
>> Red Eagle <bogusaddress@fakenet.com> hunted and pecked:
>>> I ran AdAware recently and it found WinFavorites malware on my
>>> system.
>>>
>>> Is is possible to determine where the malware came from? To my
>>> knowledge no questionable websites have been visited, and I was
>>> surprised to see this on my computer.