HELP!!!

[Shannon]

I have been having problems searching from msn.com and
other search engines. They won't search and the pages are
also running slow. I can type in other URLs and have no
problem getting to them. I didn't know if it is an
explorer problem, or if it is my connection. I am
connected through a cable modem.

 

[Mike Burgess]

Shannon,
Trojan Qhosts hijacks the HOSTS file, however unlike normal redirectors,
this one hides the HOSTS file in the "Windows\Help" folder. It then
creates entries that redirects *all* major search engines to a website.
Note: this website has now been removed, thus the DNS errors.

Microsoft has released a cumulative patch for this vulnerability:
Simply go to Windows Update [hotfix 828750]
[more info]
http://www.microsoft.com/security/security_bulletins/ms03-040.asp

[manual removal method]
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.qhosts.html
Note: not all machines are affected by the same Registry changes
but the user needs to verify in any case.

You can detect "Qhosts" via a new beta version of HijackThis
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/beta/hijackthis.zip
[more info]
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=12127

For instruction on using HijackThis!
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
____________________________________________________________
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 10-07-03]
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