Question for the Inquisitor

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Dec 11, 2005 6:03 pm

My computer is behaving strangely since yesterday

. When I start it up I get a cartoonish surfbar which displays a gambling, porn, and other shortcut buttons on the right side of my screen in form of a column. I can close the bar, but if I'm surfing the web and I click on a link I get many times redirected to google or teeny sites which causes the screen to freeze. This happens even if I surf solid sites such as the Hun or El Ladies. I launched a Norton virus scan but nothing was found. Additionally, I tried to erase any recent downloads manually, but I was unable to find the appropriate folder in XP. On my older system [Windows 98] I was always able to erase downloaded files and manipulate the startup menu. I'm new to the XP platform, so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Bacchus

inquisitor_uk · Post by **inquisitor_uk** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 2:59 am

Sounds like at some point you or a site without your knowledge has installed a toolbar to your browser. this is not uncommon, what would suggest is getting hold of a copy of "ADWARE 6 S.E." this will install a spyware scanner that will run in the back ground. that will prevent this event from happening again. and will tell you when things are trying to do nasty things to your computer.

that covers prevention, now to cure the current fault.

go to this site : http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cw ... nload.html

and click on the download button at the top right. this will install a scanner designed to locate and remove ANY browser take over programs that may be lerking in the registry or the browser itself. Open the program once downloaded, click AGREE to the terms, then click the FIX button. this will then scan your system for any verient of CW resident programs.

once found and removed. REBOOT, and run the scan again, to make sure nothing has re-asserted itself.

you now need to address your firewall / virus scanner / spyware protection needs, or this will continue to happen.

Cheers.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Sun Dec 25, 2005 4:27 pm

Thanks Inquisitor for all your help. I downloaded Spysweep which got rid of the toolbar:) I also followed your advice and scanned my computer cwshredder, but nothing was found. However, I still get re-directed on certain links:(. Thanks again for your advice:)

Bacchus

inquisitor_uk · Post by **inquisitor_uk** » Tue Dec 27, 2005 12:46 am

I do not have personal expirence with Spysweep, does it have a program that remains in the system tray ( thats the set of icons next to the clock at the bottom right of the screen), if not, then I still suggest installing ADAWARE as it monitors everything in real time, and stops 90% of all redirects from occouring. if Spysweep also has a program that stays in memory, try adaware anyway to see if you have better luck.

happy christmas and all that