Computer Infected? or spyware?

[di_markeo10]

I'm running off XP, and have some annoying problems with internet explorer.

the main problem is my homepage, which continually changes to a website i've never seen before or been to. I have ad-aware and continually clear any spyware, and regularly check for viruses, clear history and delete files etc. I also change my homepage back to what it should be but this will work a few times i launch the internet, and then change back.

I'm connected through a router with my flatmate, whose computer also has similar problems. Anything in this?

I've now set my history to 0 days, set privacy to high which seems to be working but I would rather get to the cause of the problem. Any suggestions?

thanks! :)

[ghost2003]

try spybot S&D (dont use european servers to update, they freeze) www.safer-networking.org
also try CWShredder http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
Do you have a antivirus?

[di_markeo10]

i use pc-cillin at the moment.

[colecifer]

http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/windowstips/story/0,24330,3653335,00.html
Go to that article, it describes how to lock out the homepage, making your current homepage permanent, or until you change the registy. Should stop malware unless they edit it, but i doubt they would.

[lostplanet]

i have had this same problem with a browser hijacker.
you need to go to
http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/
go to ad-aware 6 personal and read the sticky post about posting your logfile
it can get a bit complicated, but they will get you clean eventually.
canuk helped me big time, they are stars on that board
:)
HTH good luck

[di_markeo10]

i followed the steps to lock the homepage but when i went on the internet today it has changed again! It seemed to have worked as in 'internet properties' the homepage could not be changed, but the homepage was changed today. I changed back the changes i'd made in registry, but am back to square one! any ideas?

[Markoman01027]

Get rid of Internet Explorer. Get yourself Mozilla Firefox. The browser is more stable, but has a slower launch than Internet Explorer.

When I used IE, I would get spyware on my PC all the time. When I migrated to Firefox, I have not yet found any spyware on my system.

I also have not seen a popup yet with Mozilla Firefox as it does include a pop up blocker which is a very neat feature. Also it does not understand ActiveX, which most of the time is the thing that actually downloads spyware on your PC(IE uses ActiveX, as it is a Microsoft thing)

1. Get yourself Spybot Search and Destroy
2. Get yourself Adaware
3. Get yourself Firefox
4. Frequently scan and update with both spyware engines

Although you will not be spyware proof, but you will see less spyware(Although, I havent seen any spyware on my PC in 2 weeks while running Firefox) .

There are programs out there on the net that prevent any website from changing your home page. But the best thing is to get Firefox(it's free)

[glc]

http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/spg/

[TPM]

Markoman How do you go about changing internet explorer for Mozilla or can you run with both? I'm running Xp home and Haven't a clue Thanks

[Hi Ho]

You can just install Mozilla and set it as default. There is no reason to untinstall IE.

[TPM]

Thanks Hi Ho I'll give it a shot over the weekend. Thanks again

[colecifer]

Originally posted by Hi Ho
You can just install Mozilla and set it as default. There is no reason to untinstall IE.
You also can't uninstall IE because its built into windows. Although you do need it sometimes anyways, becuase of sites that are built just for IE.