spyware proxy can't be removed?

[Guest]

Hi, my wife installed some software on my Windows xp machine and it contained some spyware stuff. I uninstalled the software, and ran both Adaware, and spybot and they indicated removal of the items. However, I get two issues. There is a netsetter registry entry that recreates itself after reboot of the machine, and in the Lan settings, in the address line, a reference to www.compete.com/pane...... When I remove this reference, I loose internet access, until I restart IE, but once IE restarts, that reference is back as well. I am fairly knowledgable in computers, and am having trouble resolving this. The netsetter is picked up by adaware every time its run after a reboot but I"m not sure if its doing anything else. When I remove the reference for the compete.com, and then try to browse the web, I get the "detecting proxy settings" message, then an error message in reference to cannot find yada yada yada.. These both are data harvesting items (not sure they're related, don't think so) which I want to get removed. I'm running WinXP Pro, and IE6 with all the latest updates. Please help! Need advise/ideas on how to remove these 2 items permanently and still have internet access. I'm also using a broadband cable connection if that helps. Currently at work, but will be monitoring this today. If you need specific info, I can try to get it, or it will have to wait until my return home this afternoon. Thanks for any and all help in advance

Jaso

 

[PA Bear - MS MVP]

Check your system for "hijackware":

Dealing with Hijackware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm#tshoot
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
http://www.merijn.org/cwschronicles.html

You *must* seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each and every
use, even "right out of the box". But even then, they can't catch
everything. When all else fails, HijackThis
(http://www.merijn.org/files/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 the Spyware forum at
http://forum.aumha.org/ for expert analysis, not here.**

Also update your virus definitions and then run a full system scan. From
now on, do both daily.

[Many anti-spyware sites continue to suffer from a week-long DoS attack.
Alternative download pages for Ad-Aware, Spybot, HijackThis and CWShredder
may be found on this page: http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957
--
HTH - Please Reply to This Thread

~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

AumHa Forums
http://forum.mvps.org/

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the reply! I have ran both adaware and spybot, and I do keep the updated, but they both have so far been unsucceful in permantly removing the these 2 lingering items. I have not tried the hijack thing, but will this afternoon when I get home. I've several other "logs" from this, and some have referrence to that compete.com, but it does not seem to draw any attention, but it should not be in my lan settings proxy detection. I run ZoneAlarm Pro, also have a router with a firewall on it, and up to date virus protection in Norton 2004, updated definitions as of last night even. Again, thanks for the suggestions, any other suggestions for removing the proxy thing, keeping an internet connection, and not having th compete connection come back? Thanks again!

Jason