What is WebConnect?? Spyware? Worse?

[TwoRails]

Hi All,

I've noticed in other threads that WebConnect is trying to install itself on peoples systems. And, I just had to fix a friends computer yesterday (Sat.). It lost all sound. One thing I notice right off was that WebConnect was installed. My friend did not install it, nor want it.

Anybody know what this WebConnect is ??!?

Thanks!



TwoRails

[Kubie]

TwoRails,
Do a Google search for WebConnect. It is a ad program known as spyware. Run Adaware and it should get rid of it.
Carl

[larry1135]

Here is the Adaware link in case you don't have it http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ also here is the Reg Cleaner link http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/index.shtml hope this helps.

[TwoRails]

Hi Kubie,

Thanks for the info! The strange thing is that I couldn't find it in the Start menu anywhere, but I did find it in the Add/Remove dialog. It appears to uninstall correctly !?! (and no, I still haven't found that memory yet... nor one Classic Athlon mobo and proc... I musta put them away real good or already got rid of them !?!?)



Hi larry1135,

Thanks for the links!! RegCleaner looks pretty good, but haven't run it yet.



I'll also forward this page to my friend!! I'm sure he sez thanks!!

TwoRails

[Kubie]

TwoRails,
Don't worry about the memory.
Carl

[ftrguy]

thx for the post TwoRails, as you know i've also come across Webconnect, but on my computer there's no entry in the Add/Remove dialog. Even Ad-Aware cannot find it.

So i just did a google search and found a possible solution. You can add the following lines to the HOSTS file which should stop Webconnect from transfering data:

#
# Webconnect | WORLDATA.COM
#
127.0.0.1 webconnect.net
127.0.0.1 wexchange.webconnect.net
127.0.0.1 remote.webconnect.net
127.0.0.1 reporting.webconnect.net
127.0.0.1 secure.webconnect.net

the hosts file was dated early 2002, so maybe there are more recent versions to use. of course, only modify the HOSTS file if u know what you're doing.

[larry1135]

ftrguy,
Did you try the RegCleaner from my previous post?

[TwoRails]

Hi ftrguy,

Your last line pegs me pretty good! I don't know what I'm doing; I have to admit I don't even know what a HOST file is. I did a search and found a HOST.SAM file on my computer but don't know how to use it.

Thanks!



TwoRails

[ftrguy]

Hi larry1135,
thx for the link, i'm checking out the program now.

TwoRails,
From what i understand, the HOSTS file acts like a local dns server. Basically when u want to visit a website, say "www.mywebsite.com", the browser resolves that web address to an IP address, say "190.34.45.67".
This is because for us its easier to remember the web address, but computers work with numbers, ie the IP address.
Now, the HOSTS file contains a local directory of web addresses and their IP addresses. This is so web addresses can be resolved locally without the need to query any servers.

Open the HOSTS.SAM file with notepad, and you should get something like this (in Win98SE):

# Copyright (c) 1998 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP stack for Windows98
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost
------------------

The file basically explains what i just said. As you can see there is already one entry "127.0.0.1 localhost". 127.0.0.1 refers to the computer you are using (itself).
Therefore, in my previous post, one of these entries you can add was:
127.0.0.1 webconnect.net
When the browser (or any application) tries to connect to "webconnect.net", it will try to find 127.0.0.1, instead of connecting to the real IP address. Therefore it will go nowhere.

Well, thats how i understand it. I welcome any comments if i am mistaken.
Hope this helps.

[TwoRails]

Thanks, ftrguy, for the detailed post!! It is appreciated

TwoRails

[glc]

If you use a hosts file, it's just hosts, without the .sam extension - the hosts.sam is a sample as indicated.

[TwoRails]

Interesting.... My Host file (no extention) is a Zero length file.

TwoRails