Extra IE windows when I launch IE

[Guest]

I use a dial-up connection. Lately, when I first launch IE after a reboot,
two additional IE windows are launched which take me to a porn site and a
random ad site. The original window I launched always goes to my home site.

This occurs regardless of being connected to the web or not. If I am not
connected to the web and I launch IE, the two additional windows will still
pop up, but since there is no web connection, they simply say the page is not
available.

After I kill these two extra windows, I will stil get new windows (about
every 15 or 20 minutes) that take me to random sites. Sometimes I don't even
know they are there. They will often pop up behind my main IE window without
me knowing it.

I have tried removing all ad-ware with Ad-Aware software, but this one
problem still persists.

How can I prevent this from happening?

Thanks,

 

[PA Bear]

Dealing with Trojans & Hijackware

A. Trojans

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

2. 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, including editing the Registry if directed.

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
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

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

1. CWShredder v2,0 (Run "Fix", not "Scan)
http://forum.aumha.org/downloads/cwshredder.zip

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

3. Spybot (RTFM; Immunize then Scan; Generally fix everything in red)
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

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. With advice from experts, it will help you
to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware. Post your log to, e.g.,
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/, http://computercops.biz/forum67.html 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.]