What Scripts ?

[ErikX]

In my Win98 box, there are always a couple of SCRIPTS trying to execute when
I fire up Outlook Express 6. The pop-up dialog box, labeled 'Internet
Explorer', asks for permission to execute the scripts, but there seem to be
no difference in OE's behavior whether I permit it or not. The machine
connect to Internet through ADSL, is kept up-to-date with Windows Update,
runs ZA firewall and Norton AV, Internet Security is set to High, and the
machine is frequently checked with Adaware and PestPatrol. I have no reason
to suspect 'nasty organisms', that is.

Still, it bothers me. Is there a way for a "script-analphabet" like myself
to check the content of those scripts, or at least disable them from
running?

TIA,

Erik

 

[Charlie Tame]

This must have "Started" happening at some time... any connection there? It
seems a bit odd to me though it's been long time since I used 98 so who
knows. Check the properties of the shortcut you use to open OE... what does
it point to? It should be something like "%ProgramFiles%\Outlook
Express\msimn.exe" although the first part of the path will be different for
98. The important thing is that it's got \msimn.exe at the end. If it's not
what is it? I think there may be a couple of legitimate reasons for this to
happen, do you have any add ons or utilities for OE?

Charlie

 

[ErikX]

This must have "Started" happening at some time... any connection
there? It seems a bit odd to me though it's been long time since I
used 98 so who knows. Check the properties of the shortcut you use to
open OE... what does it point to? It should be something like
"%ProgramFiles%\Outlook Express\msimn.exe" although the first part of
the path will be different for
98. The important thing is that it's got \msimn.exe at the end. If
it's not what is it? I think there may be a couple of legitimate
reasons for this to happen, do you have any add ons or utilities for
OE?

Charlie

Thank you. The plain truth is that I don't recall when this behavior
started, so I have no clue what may have triggered it. The machine is
seldom used (once a week or so) and then mainly for backup purposes. The
scripts are trying to execute even if MSIMN.EXE is started directly from
its folder, or from the Run line under Start. The shortcut is OK, I checked.
There are no unusual OE add-on's or utilities that I know of, just a plain
OE 6.0 with SP1.

It's an odd problem indeed.

Erik

 

[Charlie Tame]

Hmm, well I have to say it sounds a bit suspicious. Any chance of catching
one of the pop ups and hit F11 and see what it's trying to find maybe? I am
thinking of something your AV has missed or whatever, especially since you
don;t remember consciously installing anything. I can't say I've experienced
that or heard of anything but recently I haven't been following the bad guys
as much as I used to... work etc.

Let's see if anyone else has ideas... meanwhile check your AV is up to date
and remember that AVs don't necessarily catch Trojan horses so maybe there's
another thing to try.

Charlie