Possible Hacker or Virus...

[Craig]

Recently I noticed that the registration information on my
Windows XP Home Edition has been changed. I purchased my
computer directly from Compaq and registered it under my
name. However, about a week ago I noticed that it
says: "Registered To: Not You, no longer." Any
suggestions on what I should do to get it back into my
name? Or even how it happened in the first place? I
noticed my firewall was disabled for some reason, but I re-
enabled it.

I also had a lot of worms on my computer (got those taken
care of), and it seems my browser has been hijacked by
something called "Clear Search" Any suggestions on fixes
for the browser hijack?

Thanks!!!

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Craig;
After what you describe, a Clean Installation is your best option
(details on how to below)
"no longer" is correct, the computer possibly belongs to someone
else.
There will be no way of assuring that all worms as well as their
effects are gone.
Back doors can be anywhere and it is virtually impossible to assure.
This probably occurred because of a disabled firewall (seconds is all
it takes)

It will not be truly your computer until you perform a Clean Install.

Clean Installation:
Disconnect all peripherals (camera, printer, scanner, etc)
Disconnect network/modem cable.
Go to BIOS and set CDROM as boot device before hard drive.
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot.
At "Press any key to boot to CDROM" quickly press a key and follow the
prompts for a Clean installation:
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp
Delete all partitions in step 5 if you desire to erase all data on the
hard drive.
Partitioning and formatting will be done automatically.
All data will be destroyed, back-up important data first.

Enable or install firewall BEFORE connecting network cable.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=283673

Install ALL Critical Windows Updates:
Start/All Programs/Windows Update

After you are finished, you will need to load the appropriate drivers.

If your computer was shipped with Windows XP, these procedures may or
may not apply.
Check your manual or contact the computer manufacturer for more
details.