Something installed itself on IE - spyware. Please help

[KR]

A few days ago I opened Internet Explorer and instead of
my usual homepage, a page saying that I had to download
some application to stop spyware and popups from
affecting my computer came up. It also made my CD Rom
drawer open! Now every time I use IE I have these full
page pop up adds coming up, I can't get rid of
this ''spyware'' application download page and my
computer has slowed down dreadfully to the extent that I
get messages saying that my memory is too low for me to
use some of my other applications. I have been to the
Trend website and found information about a trojan that
can cause something similar but have run virus scans and
nothing is being picked up. Does anyone have any idea
how I can resolve this? I don't want to download this
application that I feel I'm being FORCED to in case it
contains a virus or damages my computer in some way.
It's getting to the stage that I dread switching the
computer on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

KR

 

[PA Bear]

Check your system for "hijackware".

Dealing with Hijackware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm#tshoot
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

HijackThis (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip) is the
preferred tool to use these days. It will help to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/, not here.**

Also update your virus definitions and then run a full system scan. From
now on, do both daily.
--
HTH...Please post back to this thread

~Robear Dyer (aka PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp