unwanted microsoft services running

[Erik]

What is MicroSoft up to???

My Internet Explorer crashes and has to be closed. As
usual I choose to let send windows send an error report to
microsoft so that they can make their product work better
in the future. What happens? I get a link saying that
there are updates that "MIGHT HELP ME AVOID THIS PROBLEM
IN THE FUTURE" (unfortunately I could neither copy or
print the messages and "tips" because internet explorer
did nothing but crash and repeat all this all the time).
So far so good, I'd be grateful for an update that lets
internet explorer crash less often. But..... here it
comes, gues what.....

I AM ASKED to select "Update for Windows XP Shop for Music
Online Link (KB833998) and click Add"!!

But I DON'T WANT to have anything to do with this "Shop
for music online" service. If I want to shop music online
I do it my own way. And how on earth can this update make
my IE crash less often? Is that because there already is
some version of this service running? It worries me that
something that I don't want at all has made my internet
explorer crash. Is something unwanted running in the
background all the time?

Can't I remove parts of windows and internet explorer that
I do not wish? I am running Windows XP HE.

 

[Guest]

This is not Microsoft - You have contracted
Sypware/Parasites/Trojans/Garbage, etc.

Spybot - http://www.safer-networking.org - FAQ, Help & Forums @ site
Ad-aware - http://www.lavasoft.de/ - FAQ, Help & Forums @ site

It is recommended every computer have both programs (or alternatives) on top
of your Anti-Virus Program
Make sure they are always updated and run them regularly, especially after
you have downloaded a program or your computer/browser begins acting
different/strange.

**Use this Tool before running Ad-Aware and Spybot**
CW Shredder - http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe
If you can't get to this site, download the program from here:
CWShredder - http://aumha.org/downloads/cwshredder.zip

**Run all these programs with System Resotre OFF**
**Run them in Safe Mode**

SPYWARE INFO-PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/index.htm
http://www.pestpatrol.com/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
http://www.cexx.org/noadware.htm
http://www.spywareinfo.com/bhos/
http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/bho/



Firewall-Keep intruders out
Zone Alarm
http://www.uant.net/firewall/zonealarmguide.html
XP has a Built-in Firewall - although not the best - better than none.


Ofcourse, everyone should have an Anti-Virus program. Run it all the time at
bootup, check for the latest updates frequently, or set it for automatic
updating. Go to your AV's website for more info.


Windows Updates - You should have a link from your start menu taking you
direct to the "Official" Windows Update where you can scan. Update Windows
regularly (at the very least once a month) - ALWAYS download Critical
Updates. You can set your computer for automatic updates if you prefer.


Online Scans
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://housecall.antivirus.com

If all else fails post a Hijack log to one of the Forums:
Hijack This - http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe
Hijack This - http://tomcoyote.com/hjt

FORUMS
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://computercops.biz/forums.html
http://boards.cexx.org/
http://www.techsupportforums.com/
http://forums.techguy.org/
http://forums.net-integration.net/index.php

These Forums also provide links for downloading Spyware programs.