Proxy settings keep resetting?

[Potato Joe]

periodically my proxy settings reset to direct traffic through a nonexistent proxy server, address 127.0.0.1:64550

Except I don't have a proxy server set up.

 

[reedo_43]

I would suspect malware, run a scan with malwarebytes.

 

[boosted1g]

Periodically either you get reinfected with the same malware, or there is lingering malware that keeps changing your settings.

As suggested above, scan with malwarebyes

 

[Potato Joe]

I have already done that. Multiple times. as well as scanning with Avast after updating the database.

I've also tried separate adware removal tools.

 

[boosted1g]

If you use firefox or chrome (which can bypass windows proxies settings) does that work?

 

[boosted1g]

I would also check browsers for any sketchy plugins.

Assuming you don not have full disk image backups of your system then you might have to try to do a system repair or worst case full reinstall.

 

[Potato Joe]

I would also check browsers for any sketchy plugins.

Assuming you don not have full disk image backups of your system then you might have to try to do a system repair or worst case full reinstall.

My only browser plugins are Adblock and Avast's link scanner.

 

[Yogi6969]

Re: LAN greyed out and cannot remove proxy and/or cannot connect to the Internet - Fixed
There are 2 distinct issues – either you cannot use the Internet at all or your IE or Chrome gives you gibberish and you cannot Google etc.
Both can be fixed in a 2 stage process: note I use Win 10 but it is almost the same for other OS.
1. Press Win key + R to get the Run dialogue. Type in Regedit to enter the registry.
Select: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Internet Settings -> ProxySettingsPerUser and select Modify and change 0 to 1 (enable).

[There is another temporary registry workaround HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings: "ProxyEnable" = 1 - Change 1 to 0 and delete the key "ProxyOverride" = <-loopback> and delete the key "ProxyServer" = http=127.0.0.1:8080;https=127.0.0.1:8080 – but it returns on reboot and the solution above is simpler].

Now if you use WiFi and click Network Properties you will find that the Proxy address and Loopback are deleted. Also the LAN button in Internet connections may be available (not in Win 10 Home edition) but available in other OS. Cheer… woohoo etc. ☺ problem fixed…almost…

2. Once you reboot it comes back! This is because something is working in the background once you start up. I tried Malwarebytes, ADWCleaner, CCCleaner, SUPERAntiSpyware, Spybot etc. etc. None of them work because to them it is a legitimate piece of software and not a virus etc. Looking for the suspect program through the Startup didn’t help. The program that cause this chaos is isupdate.exe and can be found here: C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallShield
Unfortunately you cannot delete it because it is running and you would need to delete it in Safemode. However, there is an easier and quicker way. Right click on the file whilst it is running and select Superantispyware SuperRemove which will remove it when you reboot. Problem fixed. Yay ☺
The file is still there but it is inactive – I deleted the file completely anyway and after a week with many reboots etc. the problem is completely fixed. ☺

 

[Potato Joe]

Re: LAN greyed out and cannot remove proxy and/or cannot connect to the Internet - Fixed
There are 2 distinct issues – either you cannot use the Internet at all or your IE or Chrome gives you gibberish and you cannot Google etc.
Both can be fixed in a 2 stage process: note I use Win 10 but it is almost the same for other OS.
1. Press Win key + R to get the Run dialogue. Type in Regedit to enter the registry.
Select: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Internet Settings -> ProxySettingsPerUser and select Modify and change 0 to 1 (enable).

[There is another temporary registry workaround HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings: "ProxyEnable" = 1 - Change 1 to 0 and delete the key "ProxyOverride" = <-loopback> and delete the key "ProxyServer" = http=127.0.0.1:8080;https=127.0.0.1:8080 – but it returns on reboot and the solution above is simpler].

Now if you use WiFi and click Network Properties you will find that the Proxy address and Loopback are deleted. Also the LAN button in Internet connections may be available (not in Win 10 Home edition) but available in other OS. Cheer… woohoo etc. ☺ problem fixed…almost…

2. Once you reboot it comes back! This is because something is working in the background once you start up. I tried Malwarebytes, ADWCleaner, CCCleaner, SUPERAntiSpyware, Spybot etc. etc. None of them work because to them it is a legitimate piece of software and not a virus etc. Looking for the suspect program through the Startup didn’t help. The program that cause this chaos is isupdate.exe and can be found here: C:\Program Files (x86)\InstallShield
Unfortunately you cannot delete it because it is running and you would need to delete it in Safemode. However, there is an easier and quicker way. Right click on the file whilst it is running and select Superantispyware SuperRemove which will remove it when you reboot. Problem fixed. Yay ☺
The file is still there but it is inactive – I deleted the file completely anyway and after a week with many reboots etc. the problem is completely fixed. ☺

I don't even have an installshield folder.