Search Assistant Error Message...

[Stipey]

Hi:

I'm having a rather bizarre prob. when I go into SEARCH
on WINDOWS XP I get the usual Search Assistant that I
have chosen BUT, when I go into Search on the Internet I
get ShopNAV as my Search Screen and I cannot change it no
way no how!!!! How can I reintall/correct, etc. this
problem?

Thanks!!
Stipey

 

[Susan Lambert]

from the Internet
Description
ShopNav is a search-hijacker implemented as an Internet Explorer Browser
Helper Object, with an updater process run at startup.

Address bar searches, the Search explorer bar, unknown domains, and, in some
variants, non-www server names entered into the address bar without the
preceding 'http://' will be sent to Srng's controlling server www.srng.net,
which redirects to a search service at apps.webservicehost.com.

Also known as
Srng, after the folder name and domain name used by ShopNav.

Variants
ShopNav/IE was the initial variant, using separate DLLs for its BHO
(IEHelper.dll) and search hijacker (SearchHook.dll).

ShopNav/SN is an update using only one BHO DLL, SNHelper.dll.

Distribution
Distributed with versions of Grokster from March 2003. Not mentioned in (the
over 30,000 words of) licence agreement.

What it does
Advertising
No.

Privacy violation
Minor. When installed it sends details including your Windows account name
and your previous search settings to its controlling server.

Security issues
Yes. Can download and install arbitrary code from its controlling server, as
an update feature.

Stability problems
None known.

Removal
Open the registry (click 'Start', choose 'Run', and type 'regedit'), and
find the key
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. In the
list of values on the right, delete the 'srng' entry.

Next, open a DOS command prompt window (from Start->Programs->Accessories)
and enter the following commands, for the IE variant:

cd "%WinDir%\System"
regsvr32 /u "\Program Files\Srng\SearchHook.dll"
regsvr32 /u "\Program Files\Srng\IEHelper.dll"
Or for the SN variant:

cd "%WinDir%\System"
regsvr32 /u "\Program Files\Srng\SNHelper.dll"
Restart the machine and you should be able to delete the 'Srng' folder
inside the Program Files folder. You can also open the registry
(Start->Run->regedit) and delete key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Srng, and
delete the 'words.lst' file in the Windows folder to clean up if you like.

Finally, restore the normal search settings (Internet
Options->Programs->Reset Web Settings).

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

Hi Stipey,

First, scan the system for parasites and remove them. SpyBot S&D searches
your harddisk for Spyware and Adware
http://security.kolla.de/

&

Adaware (similar)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
(Remember to perform a Webupdate to have the latest definitions installed)

This will remove malware from the PC. Next, reset the Search Engine. Click
the Search button in the toolbar > Customize > AutoSearch Settings > Select
a provider from the list. Open Internet Explorer > Tools > Options >
Programs > "Reset Web Settings"

Download the fix - Reset Search:
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/RestoreSearch2.REG

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

~ Please reply to newsgroup ~


Hi:

I'm having a rather bizarre prob. when I go into SEARCH
on WINDOWS XP I get the usual Search Assistant that I
have chosen BUT, when I go into Search on the Internet I
get ShopNAV as my Search Screen and I cannot change it no
way no how!!!! How can I reintall/correct, etc. this
problem?

Thanks!!
Stipey