Explorer browser problems

[Jimbo]

All of a sudden I am having problems entering my Internet
Explorer browser and if I get there I have a different
home page. If I try to go to a web site I get the
message 'Windows Explorer has encountered a problem and
needs to close...' If try to do a Windows Update I get
the message ' Microsoft Internet Explorer - This window is
busy. Closing this window may cause problems...'
Please help.
Thanks

 

[Martin C]

You have a spyware/adware/hijack problem. Check out the following to get rid
of your problem.

Get this file:

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG
After downloading it, right click it and choose Merge.

Download/run Cool Web Shredder from
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

For Info on Cool Web Search Variants
http://www.merijn.org/cwschronicles.html

Download/install/run Ad-Aware from
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
This will detect any spyware on your system. When you run Ad-Aware, click on
the ref update to get the latest up-to-date ref file, run Ad-Aware and
delete everything it finds.

You can also download/install/run:
Spybot - Search & Destroy from
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
Sometimes this will find problems that are not found in Ad Aware.
This program has two entries to it (Easy and Advanced). Unless you know what
you are doing, run it in Easy mode and also select Immunize after it is run.
Make sure you read the help on this first.

If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from:
http://www.merijn.org/
Be very careful with this program though. Do not remove anything that is
referenced by it until you get advice on what to remove as it will list some
good items as well as bad ones.
See http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/#quick and read the quick start on how to
create a log file that can be sent to a forum that can provide assistance on
removal of unwanted problems.
Post the logs to an appropriate NG here where they specialize in
spyware/hijacker removal:
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/

There are many Forums that offer Free "Hijack This" log review.
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/security,1
http://www.computercops.biz/forums.html
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/index.php
http://boards.cexx.org/
http://forums.net-integration.net/
http://forum.aumha.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/index.php
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com

Take your pick - they all offer excellent support -

At the very least you should have Ad Aware present on your machine and run
it periodically.

Hope this helps,

Martin

 

[Mike Burgess]

Jimbo,
The first step to resolve your problem:

Control Panel | Internet Options | General [tab]
Settings [button] | View Objects [button]

Right-click on all entries there, select: Remove
Note: "Remove" everything except for Microsoft entries. These are *not*
critical
files and you will be prompted to re-download as needed.

Control Panel | Internet Options | Advanced [tab]
Uncheck: "Enable third-party browser extensions (requires restart)"
Click Apply\Ok and restart.

If this allows IE to start, see:
Dealing with Unwanted Malware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Don't forget to re-enable the "3rd browser extensions" option (if used)
Many legit applications use that option also.
____________________________________________________________
Mike Burgess [MVP Windows Shell\User] http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Blocking Spyware, Adware, Parasites, Hijackers, Trojans, with a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [updated 04-15-04]
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