spyware, adware, etc.

[frank]

i recently had a lot of spyware, adware, etc. software
installed on my pc and got rid of most of with ad-aware
and spybot. one of the things that changed was my default
search option with the search button on internet
explorer. i found the registry entry to change it back to
what it was, but the problem is that my customize button
no longer works. how do i fix this problem? also, when i
go to pages that have the automatic forwarding or
automatic download for programs, i have to manually start
the download or manually go to the new page. how is this
fixed? my final problem is not internet explorer
related. while i'm playing games on my computer, no
programs open connected to the internet, i get pop-up
windows. i go to task manager and see no suspicious
looking programs. any idea what causes this? thanks.

 

[H Leboeuf]

IE 6.

Try this: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Browsing
Uncheck the Enable 3rd party browser extensions

If this clears your problem then find out who the culprit(s) is/are with
these tools.

Let AD-Aware Scan your system for advertising Spyware
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

and:

SpyBot-S&D
http://security.kolla.de/

p.s Reset the 3rd party browser setting.

More: This may be caused by a third-party program (adware, spyware,
parasite).
Get AdAware and SpyBot and run them both. Keep them up to date.
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Additional link:
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm


You may need this removal tool.
More: Complete list by variant with up-to-date information.
http://www.merijn.org/cwschronicles.html
More: Removal tool: http://www.merijn.org/files/cwshredder.zip

 

[frank]

First, sorry for the lateness of my reply. I went out of
town for the weekend. Now onto my reply. I disabled 3rd
party browser extensions then ran AD-Aware and Spybot-S&D,
got rid of all the spyware/adware stuff they found, yet
still get the random pop-up windows. Any further
information will be helpful. Thanks.

 

[H Leboeuf]

You may need this removal tool.
More: Complete list by variant with up-to-date information.
http://www.merijn.org/cwschronicles.html
More: Removal tool: http://www.merijn.org/files/cwshredder.zip

What type of pop up are you getting?
Are they coming from MS messenger?

How to Prevent Windows Messenger from Running on a Windows XP-Based Computer
By default, Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition install
Windows Messenger, and the user interface does not provide a way to remove
or to uninstall Windows Messenger.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302089 (4.4, 4.5, 4.6. 9/23/2003)


Messenger Service Window That Contains an Internet Advertisement Appears
A Messenger service window appears that contains an Internet advertisement
that is similar to the following text:
Messenger Service
Message from source to your_computer_name.ISP_name on date time Message Text
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330904 (XP/W2000 11/4/2003)


Stop Messenger SPAM
http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/spam/messenger.php


Stop Messenger SPAM
The developer of the messenger spam software indicates on their web site
that "these messages are completely anonymous and virtually untraceable.
With this program your IP address never shows up anywhere."
http://www.stopmessengerspam.com/
===

The best way is to block the server from tracking you in the first place
Blocking Ads with a Hosts File and AdShield. Under the Security Tab download
the hosts.zip file.
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm


How To: Deal with Unwanted Pop-ups
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/nopopups.htm