search engine problems: must read this!

[ben]

when i try to use a search engine i get the following
message:

"If you are seeing this page, it is because you have
downloaded a malicious program that is keeping you from
visiting the page you intended.

Please visit the following URL for information on fixing
this problem:

http://www.tweakxp.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3367 "

when i click the link, i get:
"http://www.tweakxp.com/hostsfix.htm" which instructs me
to delete host files from this location
Windows NT/2000/XP Pro: c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\

is this legit? what is going on here? i know this was a
long post, but if anyone can help, thanks in advance.

 

[Guest]

My money is on "malicious program".Go to Tools, internet
Options, Programs tab, then click "Reset Web Settings"
button.

 

[Harald]

Ben, would Windows send you to a commercial site?
Don't do what the message says! Ever!
You may have spyware, though. If the messages appear in
the future, you my want to visit adaware.com for their
free program.
Meanwhile, learn to tell the difference between Windows
and a commercial solicitation.

 

[Milly]

when i try to use a search engine i get the following
message:

"If you are seeing this page, it is because you have
downloaded a malicious program that is keeping you from
visiting the page you intended.
[...]

is this legit? what is going on here? i know this was a
long post, but if anyone can help, thanks in advance.

You have probably contracted a Trojan ...

http://www.europe.f-secure.com/v-descs/delude.shtml

Perhaps as a result of a hole in this patch ...

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-032.asp

I hope this page may be of some help about the reasons, remedies and
preventative measures ...

http://www.imilly.com/google.htm