taskbar button "??????????????????????????????"

[Guest]

My taskbar buttons no longer refer to the internet site but consist entirely
of ??????? question marks with a number thrown in here and there.

ALong with this wierd change - there is a mini- address bar, about 2" long"
located at the top left of the screen above the internet explorer window,
consists of the IE 'e' followed by a question mark, an empty address bar at
the end of which is an unidentifiable symbol: e? [empty address bar space
with wierd symbol]

help

 

[Don Varnau]

Hi,
It sounds like you've picked up a hijacker, parasite or some other form of
malware.

If running XP SP2, try IE> Tools> Manage add-ons. Disable non-microsoft
add-ons to see if
one of them is the culprit. If not using SP2, try BHODemon from
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3550.html

Check Control Panel> Add/remove programs for unknown programs. If you can't
identify a program or don't remember installing it, research it with google
or another search engine before uninstalling it.

Next, download, update and run Ad-aware, Spybot and (if running WinXP) MS
Anti-Spyware (Beta.)
See these sites for help:
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Malware Removal and Prevention Overview - CastleCopsWiki:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.html
Removing Malware:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx

Some malware must be removed manually. You may have to register and post a
HijackThis log to one of these forums for additional help. Look for the
proper forum and an "Important- Read This First" message so that you follow
proper procedure.

* HijackThis Quick Start
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/#Top
* HijackThis Tutorial and Download
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=42

http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://castlecops.com/forums.html
http://tomcoyote.com/forums/
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://forums.maddoktor2.com/index.php

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

 

[Guest]

I've already disabled addons, run ad-aware and spybot regularly, and
uninstalled programs. I do agree with your diagnosis and will pursue your
recommendations and let you know how things turn out.

thanks.
--
Emily H

Hi,
It sounds like you've picked up a hijacker, parasite or some other form of
malware.

If running XP SP2, try IE> Tools> Manage add-ons. Disable non-microsoft
add-ons to see if
one of them is the culprit. If not using SP2, try BHODemon from
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3550.html

Check Control Panel> Add/remove programs for unknown programs. If you can't
identify a program or don't remember installing it, research it with google
or another search engine before uninstalling it.

Next, download, update and run Ad-aware, Spybot and (if running WinXP) MS
Anti-Spyware (Beta.)
See these sites for help:
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
The Parasite Fight http://www.aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
Malware Removal and Prevention Overview - CastleCopsWiki:
http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview
Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups: http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.html
Removing Malware:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
What you can do about spyware and other unwanted software:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/spywarewhat.mspx

Some malware must be removed manually. You may have to register and post a
HijackThis log to one of these forums for additional help. Look for the
proper forum and an "Important- Read This First" message so that you follow
proper procedure.

* HijackThis Quick Start
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/#Top
* HijackThis Tutorial and Download
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=42

http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://castlecops.com/forums.html
http://tomcoyote.com/forums/
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
http://forums.maddoktor2.com/index.php

Hope this helps,
Don
[MS MVP- IE]

My taskbar buttons no longer refer to the internet site but consist entirely
of ??????? question marks with a number thrown in here and there.

ALong with this wierd change - there is a mini- address bar, about 2" long"
located at the top left of the screen above the internet explorer window,
consists of the IE 'e' followed by a question mark, an empty address bar at
the end of which is an unidentifiable symbol: e? [empty address bar space
with wierd symbol]

help

Emily H