Run a full system virus scan with your fully updated av app in Safe Mode.
Run spyware/adware apps in Safe Mode as well.
**It is very important to run the update for each program before running the
app/s to be sure you have the latest definitions.**
Run the programs in Safe Mode after assuring you have shut down all running
tasks except explorer or systray and all apps are fully up to date.
Remove your Temp Internet files: Right click IE. Under the General tab click
Delete Files, put a check in Delete all Offline..., click OK and close when
finished.
Delete all files in c:\windows\temp.
Download/run Cool Web Shredder from:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html
For Info on Cool Web Search variants:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
Download/install/run:
Spybot - Search & Destroy:
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
Run it at it's default settings until you learn an know more about it. Spybot
S&D is more of an advanced users tool and changing from the default settings can
be dangerous to the novice user. Items found in the default settings that are
RED can usually be safely removed. If you are unsure of a found item, do not
remove it and ask for help.
If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/downloads.html
http://majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html
Copy HJT to it's own folder, this is where the log files will be saved. Run
HJT in Normal Mode.
Do not remove anything with it until you get advice on what to remove, HJThis
will list many apps that are needed along with the bad ones. Removing items
listed hap-hazardly without knowing what they are can/will create a royal mess.
Read the quick start here on how to create a log file that can be copied/pasted
into a forum that can provide assistance on removal of unwanted pests.
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/#quick
Then post the logs to an appropriate forum where they specialize in
spyware/hijacker removal. Please read any sticky notes for proper posting which
are most commonly posted first at the top in each specific forum. Read any
information under each forum category name for information on what that
particular one is used for, look for the proper one that you post logs to.
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://aumha.net/
http://forum.aumha.org/
After running the above and assuring you have a clean machine:
It's also a good idea to have a HOSTS file to block bad sites, scroll to HOSTS
File Manager here:
http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/Software.htm
Download/install/run SpywareBlaster which stops the badboys before they even get
a chance to install:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
--
Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/
Suggested posting do's/don'ts:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375