homepage

[BassBlonde]

I have IE7, but have a problem getting rid of an unwanted
homepage that keeps coming back no matter what I've tried. It's titled:
http://www.searchnut.com/?domain=awesomehomepage.com.
I changed Internet Options numerous times back to MSN, but it
returns next time pc is started. Could not find it in Control Panel, or in
Programs.
I do not appreciate what it shows.
Windows Defender has been active well before it showed up, as
well as Windows Malicious Remover is ran once every few weeks.
Will reinstalling IE7 cure this problem ?
Thanks in advance for any advice given.

 

[Don Varnau]

Hi,
These and other third-party programs can lock the IE homepage. Examine the
settings of security/privacy/antispyware programs for the option to lock
homepage, lock IE control panel, lock IE settings, etc.
Spybot (Advanced Mode) Tools> IE Tweaks
Spybot- Teatimer
Ad-aware Pro
Norton AV 2006 (Web Browsing > Spyware protection)
McAfee AV or Antispyware
Spyware Blaster
Spysweeper
Zone Alarm- free and pro.

If you don't wish to dig through settings of whichever security/privacy
programs you have installed, you may be able to startup in Safe Mode, change
the homepage then restart the computer. That won't always work- an earlier
version of Zone Alarm free had to be uninstalled.

315222 - A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=315222
- - -
Part 2...
That particular page doesn't necessarily indicate (IMO) that malware has
been installed, but it would be a good idea to work through the steps at
http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm and to post a HijackThis log for
analysis.

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Windows version?

Reinstalling IE7 won't help.

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting your hijackthis log
to an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine2.blogspot.com/
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

When all else fails, HijackThis v2.0.2
(http://aumha.org/downloads/hijackthis.zip) is the preferred tool to use.
It will help you to both identify and remove any hijackware/spyware with
assistance from an expert. **Post your log to
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://castlecops.com/forum67.html,
http://forums.subratam.org/index.php?showforum=7,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums for review
by an expert in such matters, not here.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

=> Those with IE7-specific questions or comments are asked to post to and
seek support in this newsgroup: microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

On the web:
http://www.microsoft.com/communitie...?dg=microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general

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