I think I have adware but I can't find it.

[Guest]

Everytime I start Internet Explorer, I get a pop up and anywhere between 4
and 10 links added to my desktop, all relating to dating services, porn,
online gambling, free stuff, etc. I've scanned my computer with Microsoft
Antispyware Beta, Lavasoft SE Personal, Spybot - Search & Destroy, and McAfee
VirusScan Enterprise 8.0.0, and they all turned up nothing (they all have the
most recent definitions). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Vincenzo Di Russo [MVP]]

Everytime I start Internet Explorer, I get a pop up and anywhere between 4
and 10 links added to my desktop, all relating to dating services, porn,
online gambling, free stuff, etc. I've scanned my computer with Microsoft
Antispyware Beta, Lavasoft SE Personal, Spybot - Search & Destroy, and
McAfee VirusScan Enterprise 8.0.0, and they all turned up nothing (they
all have the most recent definitions). Any suggestions would be
appreciated.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware [(courtesy of my friend ~Robear Dyer (PA
Bear) - MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE) & Security]:

http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?t=5878
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://defendingyourmachine.blogspot.com/

 

[Jerry]

You possible have another program you installed that has a link to install
the offending material. Messenger Plus was known for installing such stuff
by default unless the user really paid attention and unchecked the
appropriate box during the initial install. So, did you install some kind of
shareware before the pop-ups started?

 

[Putney Swope]

Everytime I start Internet Explorer, I get a pop up and anywhere between 4
and 10 links added to my desktop, all relating to dating services, porn,
online gambling, free stuff, etc. I've scanned my computer with Microsoft
Antispyware Beta, Lavasoft SE Personal, Spybot - Search & Destroy, and McAfee
VirusScan Enterprise 8.0.0, and they all turned up nothing (they all have the
most recent definitions). Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A couple of suggestions:

1) I would turn off the System Restore, restart the computer up in safe
mode, delete the internet explorer temporary files and clear the internet
explorer history files, then run the spyware programs. In that order.

If that doesn't help, you could check out this place.

http://forums.speedguide.net/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=46

It's one of many tech help websites where the mods and board members like
the challenge of finding out what the problem is with someones computer.

 

[Joe Fisher]

Are you using XP?
If you are, I would suggest downloading and running Shoot the Messenger.
It's a little program that turns off thte windows messaging program,
spammers have made it pretty useless.
http://grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

 

[Guest]

I think I did, but I don't remember what it was. I went to the aumha.net
forums with my HiJackThis log. Thanks guys.

 

[Tony]

If you want a safe, permanent solution, just install ewido security suite
(14 days free)...all nasties will be gone, guaranteed. It's, apparently, a
little known program but really the granddaddy of cleaners.