Can I prevent a browser hijack?

[NottNick]

Can anyone help with this?

My son or his friends obviously visit some dodgy sites (innocent looking
games etc.) consequently his PC keeps getting nasy things happening.
Particularly mysearchnow and searchweb2 which hijack his browser.
Adaware gets rid of them usually (although I have also had to run Spybot and
(with care) Hijack this) when they have been particularly insiduous.

I have Sygate as a firewall + NAV + Netnanny. But I can't make these filter
things out.

Is there a prophylactic solution? Are there settings I can make? I don't
want to stifle my son's intenet usage with draconian blocking / limiting,
but I'd welcome the chance to avoid running Adaware over and over again.

Any suggestions - I'm happy to pay for software solutions if they are
available and effective.

Thanks

Nottnick

(I have also posted this on the ad aware forum site).

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

To secure your computer and prevent possible future security breeches,
consider installing a first-rate, comprehensive, internet security program:

Norton Internet Security 2004
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/

-- Includes Norton AntiVirus 2004
-- Includes Norton Personal Firewall
-- Includes prevention of annoying web pop-ups
-- Includes Parental Controls
-- All in one, easy-to-install package

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


| Can anyone help with this?
|
| My son or his friends obviously visit some dodgy sites (innocent looking
| games etc.) consequently his PC keeps getting nasy things happening.
| Particularly mysearchnow and searchweb2 which hijack his browser.
| Adaware gets rid of them usually (although I have also had to run Spybot and
| (with care) Hijack this) when they have been particularly insiduous.
|
| I have Sygate as a firewall + NAV + Netnanny. But I can't make these filter
| things out.
|
| Is there a prophylactic solution? Are there settings I can make? I don't
| want to stifle my son's intenet usage with draconian blocking / limiting,
| but I'd welcome the chance to avoid running Adaware over and over again.
|
| Any suggestions - I'm happy to pay for software solutions if they are
| available and effective.
|
| Thanks
|
| Nottnick

 

[Wesley Vogel]

First. Make sure of these settings and nothing will install without you
answering YES. (Except what may install as part of some other software.)
Don't click YES if you don't know/trust the source.

Also look at 2) below.

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. Make sure you update every program, even if you
just downloaded it. You must have the latest updates.

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/index.php?lang=en&page=download

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

4a) HijackThis (direct download)
http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

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

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

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

Problems uninstalling? Here's some advice.
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/uninstallproblems.phtml

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/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

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

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

Cleaning Up XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#cleanup

 

[Guest]

NottNick,

Here is all you need

Spyware Removal:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/windowsxpsolutions.htm

Low-Trans Fat and Low-Carb Diet for Your PC or
How to optimize Windows XP for the best performance:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindows.htm

If this is an option, switch to Mozilla:
www.mozilla.org

Good Luck!

 

[Plato]

To secure your computer and prevent possible future security breeches,
consider installing a first-rate, comprehensive, internet security program:

Norton Internet Security 2004
http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/nis_pe/

I must say, in my opinion, I totally disagree with your recommendation.

 

[Al Smith]

Any suggestions - I'm happy to pay for software solutions if they are

available and effective.

Sure, and the software manufacturers who control your computing
life are happy to sell you overpriced software that doesn't really
work properly.

You don't need this. What you need is to turn off the functions in
Internet Explorer that are allowing your son, and you, to
automatically download and install malicious software onto your
computer.

Since Internet Explorer is *inherently* unsafe, you also need to
start using a fulltime firewall, such as ZoneAlarm, and a
different browser, such as Mozilla.

If you do these three simple things -- 1) turn off most functions
in IE, 2) use a firewall 3) use a different browser -- you will
not be troubled by malware, adware, viruses and trojans.

Of course, if your son is the kind of kid who won't listen to his
father, and turns back on the stuff you turned off in IE, and then
downloads junk you don't need, you will get reinfected. Some Web
sites -- particularly sites that are hosting adware and malware --
demand that you have all the functions of IE turned on when you
visit, and that you are using IE as your browser.

 

[Larry Samuels]

I second your disagreement <G>

A very large part of my PC repair work comes from straightening out systems
that NIS has toasted.


--
Larry Samuels MS-MVP (Windows-Shell/User)
Associate Expert
Expert Zone -
Unofficial FAQ for Windows Server 2003 at
http://pelos.us/SERVER.htm

 

[Wesley Vogel]

First. Make sure of these settings and nothing will install without you
answering YES. (Except what may install as part of some other software.)
Don't click YES if you don't know/trust the source.

Also look at 2) below.

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. Make sure you update every program, even if you
just downloaded it. You must have the latest updates.

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/index.php?lang=en&page=download

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

4a) HijackThis (direct download)
http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

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

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

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

Problems uninstalling? Here's some advice.
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/uninstallproblems.phtml

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/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

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

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

Cleaning Up XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_c.htm#cleanup

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

I have to agree with you here!

--
Regards:

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

 

[NottNick]

Thanks for all the advice

I've already made a start with things and will try as many compatible
solutions as I can.

I'll post again in a week or so and let you know what's happened.

Nottnick

 

[Alex Nichol]

I must say, in my opinion, I totally disagree with your recommendation.

I'll join the chorus in agreeing with you