Unwanted startup program

[Guest]

When I start my computer, a program starts that tries to install a program
called MarketResearch.exe (looks like an adware, but my virus program doesn't
delete it). This program launches windows installer and a box comes up
prompting me to insert the MarketResearch CD (which I don't have). If I
cancel it, it keeps relaunching. I can get it to "go away" by going to Task
Manger and ending the task, but it relaunches when I try to print and will
not allow the printer to print a document until I kill it again. (Very
annoying!!!!) I've launched msconfig and looked in the startup folder, but
can find no program that remotely resembles MarketResearch. Is there any way
that I can find out what program is doing this and get rid of it? Thanks.

 

[Sharon F]

(looks like an adware, but my virus program doesn't
delete it).

Antivirus programs have added the ability to detect some adware/spyware but
their specialty still is viruses, worms and trojans. Anti-spyware programs
specialize in malware. While some are virus like in their behavior they are
not technically viruses and anti-spyware programs specialize in this field.

Try scanning with an up-to-date anti-spyware program such as AdAware:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/

Just about any program could use marketresearch.exe as the name for their
executable but a search on google for that file name points to
www.coalitionforseniorsafety.org An seemingly innocuous source but adware
and spyware is still just that - no matter who distributes it.

However you mention another program starting and trying to install this
one. May need to work a bit more at tracking down what that other program
is instead as it sounds like it is the true instigator. Hopefully, running
an anti-spyware program will simplify that for you.

Others will be along shortly, I am sure, to give you more extensive advice
about malware detection, cleanup and prevention. I posted to give you a
starting point and to point out that one shouldn't depend solely on
antivirus for protection against all types of malware.

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE]

When I start my computer, a program starts that tries to install a program
called MarketResearch.exe (looks like an adware, but my virus program
doesn't
delete it). This program launches windows installer and a box comes up
prompting me to insert the MarketResearch CD (which I don't have). If I
cancel it, it keeps relaunching. I can get it to "go away" by going to
Task
Manger and ending the task, but it relaunches when I try to print and will
not allow the printer to print a document until I kill it again. (Very
annoying!!!!) I've launched msconfig and looked in the startup folder,
but
can find no program that remotely resembles MarketResearch. Is there any
way
that I can find out what program is doing this and get rid of it? Thanks.

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971

Help with Hijackware
All MS - MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
(http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm)
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
(http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm)
(http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html)
(http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm)

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

 

[Guest]

Odd.. if it's asking for a disc/disk, it might be a component of something
you installed perviously, or a bundled package. Is there any listing for
this program in your Add/Remove Programs Control Panel Applet?

Try using the Windows Installer Cleanup Utility to remove that program from
it's database, so it'll quit trying to configure the program on startup. You
can get the utility from Microsoft.com, just do a quick search for Windows
Installer Cleanup Utility. Use caution in using the tool, because any
program you "clean up" with it will need to be totally reinstalled.


Shawn