IE Search Error Message: "Category is undefined"

[Todd]

I am using MSN.com as the home page for IE and every time
I click the Search button I get a blank box on the left.
When I attempt to Customize the search function I receive
an IE Script Error Message which states: "An error has
occurred in the script for this page." Line: 5, Char: 10,
Error: "Category is undefined", Code: 0,
URL: "http://ie.search.msn.com/en-
us/srchasst/srchcust.htm" "Do you want to continue running
this script?" No matter what I do I continue to receive
this message and I am unable to conduct a search. My
search function is useless. HELP!!!

 

[PA Bear]

Dealing with Trojans & Hijackware

A. Trojans

1. Check in at Windows Update and install all critical updates & reboot.

2. Download and run Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/); then...

3. Update your virus definitions, enable Show Hidden Files
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2002092715262339)
and then run a full system scan in Safe Mode
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001052409420406)
with nothing else running in background. Note the files identified and
removed then find the corresponding page for the file at your AV maker's
online support pages (e.g.,
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.winfavorites.html)
and follow all Removal steps.

WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
Restore Point then:

Disk Cleanup > More options > Delete all but the most recent Restore
Point.

B. Hijackware

Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Run these tools in the following order with nothing else running in
background:

1. CWShredder v1.59.1 (no updates available currently; fix all found)

2. Ad-Aware SE (reconfigure per Post #2 in
http://aumha.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5877; fix all found)

3. Spybot (RTFM but generally fix everything in red)

Important: You must seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each and
every use, even "right out of the box". But even they can't catch
everything, 24/7. When all else fails, HijackThis
(http://forum.aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to
use. It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware.
**Post your files to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ or
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**

[Alternate download pages for many of the above tools may be found at
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

Are You Ready for WinXP SP2?
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

WinXP SP2 Release Notes
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;835935

AumHa Forums
http://forum.aumha.org