Internet Explorer Hijack

[Bill Ridgeway]

A Client has acquired a browser hi-jack problem. I have installed Browser
Hijack Retaliator but he is not being allowed to change his home page
(Internet Explorer). He is presently using Mozilla Firefox as a get-around
but doesn't like it.

I am wary of using just any piece of utility software purporting to deal
with this sort of problem just in case it makes matters worse. I would
appreciate suggestions from anyone who has successfully dealt with this
problem.

Thanks..

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions

 

[Bruce Hagen]

I guess you're too used to asking OE questions. <wink>

For Internet Explorer questions not pertaining to Outlook Express, please
post to one of the following:

IE6 Specific Newsgroup:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser

IE General newsgroup, (For IE6 and IE7):
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.internetexplorer.general
--
Bruce Hagen
MS-MVP Outlook Express
Imperial Beach, CA


"Bill Ridgeway" <info@1001solutions.co.uk> wrote in message
news:eGa9Vj4%23HHA.4460@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>A Client has acquired a browser hi-jack problem. I have installed Browser
>Hijack Retaliator but he is not being allowed to change his home page
>(Internet Explorer). He is presently using Mozilla Firefox as a get-around
>but doesn't like it.
>
> I am wary of using just any piece of utility software purporting to deal
> with this sort of problem just in case it makes matters worse. I would
> appreciate suggestions from anyone who has successfully dealt with this
> problem.
>
> Thanks..
>
> Bill Ridgeway
> Computer Solutions
>
>
>

 

[Malke]

Bill Ridgeway wrote:
> A Client has acquired a browser hi-jack problem. I have installed Browser
> Hijack Retaliator but he is not being allowed to change his home page
> (Internet Explorer). He is presently using Mozilla Firefox as a get-around
> but doesn't like it.
>
> I am wary of using just any piece of utility software purporting to deal
> with this sort of problem just in case it makes matters worse. I would
> appreciate suggestions from anyone who has successfully dealt with this
> problem.

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to
do all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://pcdid.com/Multi_AV.htm - download

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).

Not all tools used will work in Vista and you will need to run them
elevated. Since Vista is so new, it will be a while before removal
techniques and tools are developed. If you are unable to remove the
infection by following the general steps, register at one of the
HijackThis forums as suggested.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM]

"Bill Ridgeway" <info@1001solutions.co.uk> wrote in message
news:eGa9Vj4%23HHA.4460@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>A Client has acquired a browser hi-jack problem. I have installed Browser
>Hijack Retaliator but he is not being allowed to change his home page
>(Internet Explorer). He is presently using Mozilla Firefox as a get-around
>but doesn't like it.
>
> I am wary of using just any piece of utility software purporting to deal
> with this sort of problem just in case it makes matters worse. I would
> appreciate suggestions from anyone who has successfully dealt with this
> problem.


It might be a security program blocking the Registry change it needs to
make. A few, but not all, of the programs now doing this are:
Ad-aware's Ad-Watch
IBM Access Connections
McAfee VirusScan and/or Antispyware
Norton AV
Spyware Blaster
Spybot> Tools> IE Tweaks
Spybot- Teatimer
Spysweeper
Spyware Doctor
Windows Defender
Zone Alarm (free) 6.5 Reported to be fixed in later versions.

In the case of Zone Alarm 6.5 or Norton 2007 it actually has to be
uninstalled. Make sure the Windows Firewall is turned on until you
reinstall Zone Alarm.

Boot into Safe Mode with Networking and try the change.

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
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

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM
Do not send mail.

 

[Milo \(MSPSS\)]

Please call Microsoft Security 866 727 2338 ( US/CANADA ) this a free
support and a toll free number. For direct assistance to identify and if
ever its caused by malicious code - assist you fixing the current issue in
your PC.



"Bill Ridgeway" <info@1001solutions.co.uk> wrote in message
news:eGa9Vj4%23HHA.4460@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>A Client has acquired a browser hi-jack problem. I have installed Browser
>Hijack Retaliator but he is not being allowed to change his home page
>(Internet Explorer). He is presently using Mozilla Firefox as a get-around
>but doesn't like it.
>
> I am wary of using just any piece of utility software purporting to deal
> with this sort of problem just in case it makes matters worse. I would
> appreciate suggestions from anyone who has successfully dealt with this
> problem.
>
> Thanks..
>
> Bill Ridgeway
> Computer Solutions
>
>
>