Help with removing ask.com

[HMichUSA]

I'm not dumb when it comes to computers but this ask.com thing is driving me
crazy. I have tried everything listed above and NOTHING is working it was
removed , cookies and all but for some reason if I type in the address bar to
somewhere it takes me to ask.com. now if I use my Favorites tab to switch
pages, it foes to the page I wanted. I am running IE7. my computer is acting
totally crazy. if we log in under mine (admin) we can't log into any of our
e-mails games ect ect.. but ask will not come up at all. then we log into my
DH and we can log in but then ask pops up. I'm lost and really need help.
Any ideas? -Besides the above ones.
Thanks,

HMichUSA

I left this post a few days ago in a different thread- but no responses yet.
So i'm starting a new one

 

[Malke]

I'm not dumb when it comes to computers but this ask.com thing is driving
me crazy. I have tried everything listed above and NOTHING is working it
was removed , cookies and all but for some reason if I type in the address
bar to somewhere it takes me to ask.com. now if I use my Favorites tab to
switch pages, it foes to the page I wanted. I am running IE7. my computer
is acting totally crazy. if we log in under mine (admin) we can't log into
any of our
e-mails games ect ect.. but ask will not come up at all. then we log into
my
DH and we can log in but then ask pops up. I'm lost and really need help.
Any ideas? -Besides the above ones.

Unfortunately, since you're using the web interface and didn't quote any of
the previous replies none of us knows what "everything listed above"
entails. See below for how to more efficiently access Usenet newsgroups.

In the meantime, at the risk of repeating what you've already tried:

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do
all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
Or here: Malwarebytes malware removal guides - http://tinyurl.com/5xrpft

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.

Usenet information:

Since you are using the web interface, you may not realize that this is
really a newsgroup. You will get far more out of this resource if you learn
to use a newsreader. There are many good newsreaders for Windows, but you
can use Outlook Express (XP) or Windows Mail (Vista) since you already have
it. Here are some links to information about newsgroups:

About Usenet:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/ - Usenet FAQs from the Internet FAQ Archives
http://www.usenetmonster.com/infocenter/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Usenet - a brief explanation
of newsgroups

Outlook Express/Windows Mail as Newsreader:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm
http://rickrogers.org/setupoe.htm
http://vistasupport.mvps.org/accessing_newsgrousp_with-windows_mail.htm

How to Post:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Usenet
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375 - How to Ask a Question
http://users.tpg.com.au/bzyhjr/liszt.htm - How Not to Get Technical Help on
Usenet


http://aumha.org/nntp.htm - list of MS newsgroups
microsoft.public.test.here - MS group to test if your newsreader is working
properly
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/munad.htm - how to munge email address
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossposting - crossposting
http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/mul_crss.htm - multiposting

Other Newsreaders for Windows:
http://www.forteinc.com/main/homepage.php - Forte
http://www.mozilla.org - Thunderbird

Malke

 

[HMichUSA]

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.
~~~~~~
OK..?
Guided help is what I want I already had my computer geek brother look at it
he said my computer was nuts. I posted this in the same place I found all
the other info(microsoft.public.windowsxp.general), So I don't know what you
mean in you CAP wrighting.
As for the all of the above :
Ah, the old Evil Ploy routine? No. If you really think this, then you should
consider wearing a tin foil beanie.

http://zapatopi.net/afdb/

Otherwise, do some scanning for malware.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

In addition, if you are using Internet Explorer 7, change your default
search engine to something better such as Google.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/searchguide/en-en/default.mspx

If you are not using IE, then look in the preferences of whatever browser
you *are* using for this.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

there is also many more(19) this is just the one you sent.
So you tried to help this person and the easiest way for you to see what I
have tried would be to Search my name HMichUSA and I only have 2 now 3 posts,
should be easy. If you want to help me.

 

[Malke]

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums
listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. PLEASE DO NOT
POST LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.
~~~~~~
OK..?
Guided help is what I want I already had my computer geek brother look at
it
he said my computer was nuts. I posted this in the same place I found
all the other info(microsoft.public.windowsxp.general), So I don't know
what you
mean in you CAP wrighting.
As for the all of the above :
Ah, the old Evil Ploy routine? No. If you really think this, then you
should consider wearing a tin foil beanie.

WTH is all of that? I gave you links for where you could get guided help for
free. Again, choose one of the specialty forums. Read the posting FAQ on
the forum you choose before you post. I'll even give you the links here so
you don't have to bother going to the link in my first post.

http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip
http://aumha.net/ - Click on the HijackThis forum. Read the announcement and
the stickies *first*.
http://www.atribune.org/forums/index.php?showforum=9
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=25
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/Malware_Removal_HiJackThis_Logs_Go_Here-f37.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=7
http://gladiator-antivirus.com/forum/index.php?showforum=170
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5
http://forums.techguy.org/54-security/
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7

These forums have malware removal experts who volunteer their time to give
*guided* *help*. We don't do that kind of lengthy analyzing of HijackThis
logs, etc. here in the MS newsgroups which is why I suggested this avenue
of support to you. The ALL CAPS is to remind people to please not post
HijackThis or other malware removal tool logs here.

I have no idea why you think my answer has anything to do with "Evil Ploys",
but usually when one is asking for help one (this means you) should
consider whether being rude is the best way to go about it. Hint: It isn't.

Good luck in removing your malware. EOT for me.

Malke

 

[Mick Murphy]

Download, install, update and scan with these 2 Programs.
Scan in Safe Mode if necessary.
All info below.

http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Spybot Search & Destroy 1.6 is a very good, FREE Anti-Spyware Program.
Download, install, update, and immunize your System with it.
Then SCAN with it.
Update it, and scan your System once a fortnight.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Malwarebytes is as the name says, a Malware Remover!
For the Free version scroll down their page to either download from
Download.com, or Major Geeks.com

Download, install, and update.

Important re: Safe Mode
If you happen to find a problem that you can’t uninstall / delete, reboot
the computer, and go into Safe Mode.
To get into Safe mode, tap F8 right at Power On / Startup, and use UP arrow
key to get to Safe Mode from list of options, then hit ENTER.
RESCAN your computer with your Anti-Virus, Malwarebytes and Spybot S & D
while in Safe Mode.

 

[Kelly]

How do I "uninstall" the Ask Toolbar?
http://dl.ask.com/toolbar/faq.html

You can easily uninstall the Ask Toolbar using the instructions below:


1.. Close all open Web browsers
2.. From the "Start" menu in Windows, select "Control Panel"
3.. Select "Add/Remove Programs"
4.. Select "Ask.com Bar"
5.. Click "Change/Remove"

Now just follow the simple instructions and the Ask Toolbar will be
uninstalled. Should you reopen your Web browser and still see the Ask
Toolbar, you may need to restart your computer for the uninstall process to
be completed.


--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

 

[HMichUSA]

OMG, NO. I copied and pasted what you had said to someone else that is not
my writing those were your words on the posts I was reading to show you that
you had helped oneone before me with the same problem- here I'll copy and
paste the whole thing for you. I have read that flak that you have gotten
from others and I know your trying to help. The malware thing helped a
little but not with the ask.com thing , but thanks and again I'm sorry you
thought I was saying those things to you, when they were your words to
another person. Hope this clears it up.

heres that post:

Subject: RE: Windows Desktop Search Default is Ask.com - Can't get rid of
it? 7/12/2008 6:32 AM PST

By: Malke In: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general

Hi, I'm in the UK. If I try to access a web site that is outside the UK my
msn or google search engines are hyjacked by the stupid and futile search
engine that is ASK.com
Is this a ploy by microsoft to stop you searching outside your country of
residence?

Ah, the old Evil Ploy routine? No. If you really think this, then you should
consider wearing a tin foil beanie.

http://zapatopi.net/afdb/

Otherwise, do some scanning for malware.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

In addition, if you are using Internet Explorer 7, change your default
search engine to something better such as Google.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/searchguide/en-en/default.mspx

If you are not using IE, then look in the preferences of whatever browser
you *are* using for this.

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[C.Joseph Drayton]

I'm not dumb when it comes to computers but this ask.com thing is driving me
crazy. I have tried everything listed above and NOTHING is working it was
removed , cookies and all but for some reason if I type in the address bar to
somewhere it takes me to ask.com. now if I use my Favorites tab to switch
pages, it foes to the page I wanted. I am running IE7. my computer is acting
totally crazy. if we log in under mine (admin) we can't log into any of our
e-mails games ect ect.. but ask will not come up at all. then we log into my
DH and we can log in but then ask pops up. I'm lost and really need help.
Any ideas? -Besides the above ones.
Thanks,

HMichUSA

I left this post a few days ago in a different thread- but no responses yet.
So i'm starting a new one

Hi HMichUSA,

You might look to see where your DNS server is pointing. To
do this, follow the below steps.

1) Right-click the icon in the SysTray for the connection
you are using to the Internet
2) From the pop-up menu click on 'Status'
3) Then click the 'Details' button

Post the IP that your DNS server is pointing to.

There is of course not set rule but more often than not your
DNS server will point to the Default Gateway IP. If not, try
pointing it to that and see what happens.

I use various hot-spots, and have had my DNS Server hijacked
a couple of times. Now to assure that that doesn't happen, I
set my network connection to a public DNS server.

Sincerely,
C.Joseph Drayton, Ph.D. AS&T

CSD Computer Services

Web site: http://csdcs.site90.net/
E-mail: (e-mail address removed)90.net