IE invaded by SpiderSearch toolbar

[Gordon]

My internet explorer has been taken over
by "SpiderSearch.com" who has inserted a toolbar with porn
links and links to porn erasure software. I have deleted
all cookies, history, and html-s and tried to re-install
IE in order to get rid of it. (XP won't let me delete it
to reinstall.) If I "remove" it by the view/toolbars
option, it leaves, but comes back when I open IE again.
It also substitutes spidersearch.com as my default home
page, and sends me there when I open. Changing the default
h.p. back to msn.com doesn't do any good.

Help!!!!

Gordon

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

See the AdAware section.

*** Good security housekeeping tips, in no particular order: ***

* See http://securityadmin.info/faq.htm

* Go to www.lavasoftusa.com and download AdAware...install, launch, update &
run it. This will rid your computer of spyware/adware.

* Use antivirus software (www.grisoft.com has a freebie) and update it
regularly - at least once a week; daily if possible.

* Use a good firewall to block access to your computer from the Internet
(www.sygate.com is a decent freebie for a standalone workstation; hardware
appliances are a better choice for networks). For software firewalls, see
BlackIce or the freebie at www.sygate.com - but you do get what you pay for.
For a good hardware firewall, see NetGear or Linksys or DLink - they all
make easy to use products, but make sure they're true firewalls and not just
NAT devices, as those are not going to stop anyone. Expect to pay about
$100-$120 USD for a good hardware firewall.

* Get a popup blocker to stop IE popups, such as www.panicware.com (they
offer a free one) or try the new Google toolbar 2.0 which does the same
thing (and is just plain cool)

* Run Windows Update regularly (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) to get
all the latest patches for your operating system.

* See http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm for lots of information on
browser hijacking and how to stop it

* Do not use Imesh or Kazaa any other peer-to-peer file sharing software,
ever.

* Do not use Hotbar.

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Gordon;
Try #5 & #6 on this link:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/Slowcom.htm

 

[Gordon]

Thanks a lot. The installation of Ad-Ware cleaned all the
crap out of my system.

Gordon