Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin (
More info?)
Hijackers are not spyware, they are trojans and/or viruses. And the OP can
have an AV older than 2003. As long as the virus definitions are up to
date, your software can be 10 years old.
"Malke" <noreply@invalid.com> wrote in message
news:O1CbQb08EHA.4072@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Scott M. wrote:
>
>> Spybot removes spyware, not viruses, trojans and home page hijackers.
>>
>> Get a good anti-virus product and run it. You most likely have a
>> virus.
>>
>> "Prasanna" <Prasanna@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:E866D115-D330-4E36-A32D-D86127A8A250@microsoft.com...
>>> Hi, i use IE 6 on xp-pro sp2...on the Internet Options window of IE,
>>> all three buttons to change the homepage are disabled, namely "Use
>>> current","Use
>>> blank" and "Use blank", the textbox for homepage is also disabled...i
>>> use spybot to remove any chances of spyware and it doesnt help...i
>>> appreciate your help.
>
> The about:blank problem is caused by spyware, not viruses - although of
> course the OP should have a current version (not earlier than 2003) av
> installed with an updated subscription.
>
> Prasanna - here are malware removal instructions. You need more than
> just Spybot to remove the about:blank problem. A combination of
> About:Buster and HijackThis works well, but those are expert tools.
> Read what I've listed below, and if you are going to use HijackThis go
> to the links for the tutorial and where to post your log. Do all
> removal work with updated tools in Safe Mode.
>
> 1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
> antivirus using updated definitions.
>
> 2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
> programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
> There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
> install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
> CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.
>
> Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
> to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
> all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).
>
> HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and disable hijackers, but
> it requires expert skill. See below for HijackThis links. A combination
> of HijackThis and About:Buster works well in removing the About:Blank
> homepage hijacker. Again, this is an expert tool and novices should get
> help with it.
>
> 3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
> Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
> must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
> the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
> Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).
>
> 4) Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
> patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.
>
> 5) Run a firewall.
>
> Links to help with malware:
>
> Software/Methods:
>
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search & Destroy
>
http://www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-aware
>
http://www.majorgeeks.com - good download site
>
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html
> http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. - SilentRunners
>
> HijackThis:
>
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm - HijackThis tutorial by Jim
> Eshelman
>
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5 - Spyware Warrior HijackThis
> forum
> http://www.wilderssecurity.com/
> http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
> http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
>
> General:
> http://forum.aumha.org/ - look under "Security" for various forums
>
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm
>
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
>
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm - The Parasite Fight
>
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
>
> Malke
> --
> MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
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