zhotkey

[mab]

In the last few days, and when I start the computer , there ia window "audio
adjust in progress" that flashes a few times. I also noted the appearance in
the taskbar of the desktop of the word "zhotkey" which I already removed from
the startup.
Any explanation and suggestions? ( I am new to VISTA: lots of problems....)

 

[AlexB]

You receive access violation errors when you use Bluetooth keyboard and
mouse

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931471

RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue, follow these steps: 1.Exit all programs.
2.Click Start, click Run, type msconfig, and then click OK.
3.On the Startup tab, click to clear the following startup items: •CNYHkey
•Mshotkey
•Zhotkey
•Zkey

4.Click OK, and then click Restart.

 

[mab]

Thank you,Alex, for your answer.

Already done: clearing zhotkey on the startup, remove the inscription
"zhotkey' from the taskboard.
The black window "audio adjust in progress" still comes on.

I think the unwanted programs should be removed from the Registry, but
without instructions I will not dare.

Amazing that with all the security programs ( a well working NIS 2008 and
Windows Defender) this abusive unwanted program should access the computer.

Mab

 

[AlexB]

It may be malware. Run Spybot S&D it will remove malware fromn the registry.
You will have a complete control over its action. Read all instructions
carefully. It is free, it has a long standing history. It was designed in
Sweden.

My policy is not to use any 3-rd party anti-malware except Spybot S&D.
Windows Vista offers sufficient protection against malicious software
writers some of them I am sure watch this forum very carefully.

Download Microsoft Windows Baseline Security Analyzer. It is Beta 2.1 for
Vista and I think it is safe to download. Run it.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...AF-9DBE-4DCE-889E-ECF997EB18E9&displaylang=en>

It will give you all your vulnerabilities, especially in your firewall
settings. You should read the report and if it suggests any changes, you
should consider them.
Your Windows firewall setting will be analyzed.

Download Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830). It
will want to run upon install. Choose the FULL scan although it may give you
a threatening message that it might take a few hours. It will scan your
entire computer in about half an hour or less if you do not have a lot of
stuff in it.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&displaylang=en>

Some reassuring information: Malicious Software Removal Tool
<http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx>
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool helps remove specific,
prevalent malicious software from computers that are running Windows Vista,
Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830

You can also go to Protection Center (Microsoft)
<http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/center/howsafe.htm?s_cid=mscom_msrt>
and click "Protection Scan." There will be a dropdown menu and a button:
"Launch Full Scan or Vista." You can do it if you wish.

Download and install Spybot Search & Destroy, a great piece of software
which is free for individuals but corporations pay fees. You may be asked
for donations but it is up to you. It is very up to date and every week you
will have to download new updates, sometimes even more often. You should
check for updates every time you run it. It will give you all su*kers
leached into your registry and ask you if you wanted to remove them. Many of
them have masqueraded themselves under MS Windows names like
Windows.something. Do not hesitate to kill them all. You can trust SB S&D.

http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

It also allows you to IMMUNIZE your system. It means that when you go to a
website and they try to download some kind of a Trojan to you SB S&D will
either kill it silently, or ask you if you want to do it or will kill it and
give you a notice. It is better to let it kill them all in silence.

Listen to Mark Russinovich's (MS) webcast: Advanced Malware Cleaning

<http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/sessionh.aspx?videoid=359>

Downloading any 3-rd party "free" anti-spyware program is an invitation for
disaster.

The AV (antivirus industry) is on the way to the cemetery:
The slow death of AV technology:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/08/death_of_av/
Vista did it in.

 

[mab]

Thank you, Alex
Your answer is very helpful. I will follow your advice and proceed with the
various downloads. I used Spybot in the past but now, in my old desktop (IE
7) I use the llatest version of Lavasoft ad-aware. Seems good to me.