spyware/adware

[jaysee]

One of my sons surfed the Net on my computer recently. When he finished, my Internet Explorer 6 browser had a Webalizer.com toolbar and an untitled search engine in place of the default Microsoft search engine. Also, when I open Windows Explorer, I get a "Work Offline" error message that says "No connection to the Internet is currently available...," and presents two buttons: "Work Offline" and "Try Again." Once that happens, IE slows drastically, taking 2 to 10 minutes to download each page of websites that normally offer almost instantaneous page transitions. I have a DSL connection.

I uninstalled the Webalizer tool bar using "Add/Remove Software," but got a message saying some elements could not be removed. I found software that resets IE to its default search engine, but the unwanted search engine always reinstalls itself. There's no name on it, but it often redirects my browser to Webalizer.com and clicking "Properties" indicates its address is:

searchcentrix.com/sidecat.jsp?

I updated my Ad-Aware 6.0 and scanned my system, quarentining 3 or 4 dozen objects. Afterward, I had a "Missing Shortcut" message during boot up that was searching for VirtualBouncer.exe. But that stopped when I found a folder with a Virtual Bouncer file and
deleted the folder. I still have a folder in my registry called "VB and VBA Program Settings" - which I have not removed because I'm not certain what it is. Should I go ahead and delete it? I've also deleted IE's "History," "Temporary Internet Files" and "Cookies." But that made no difference.

The only thing I've tried that allows me to open Windows Explorer without getting the "Work Offline" error and IE slowdown is to go into MS Configuration Utility and disable the Startup Group Items.

My Ad-Aware 6.0 recognizes and removes a lot of spyware/adware from my computer, but it doesn't seem to recognize the unwanted software that's apparently coming from Webalizer.com and Searchcentrix.com. Does anyone have suggestions on how to remove/block these unwanted software installations, or how to permanently reset IE 6 to its default search engine? I'm using a W98 OS with Pentium III processor. I have a DSL but no firewall. I'm using Norton AV and Ad-Aware's Ad Watch and keep them both updated. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Jay

[hobey19]

try spybot search and destroy. sometimes it is able to find things that ad-aware is not. also, how long ago did this happen? you could probably just use the system restore feature to a time before it happened.

craig

[Cricket]

Originally posted by jaysee Does anyone have suggestions on how to remove/block these unwanted software installations, or how to permanently reset IE 6 to its default search engine? I'm using a W98 OS with Pentium III processor. I have a DSL but no firewall. I'm using Norton AV and Ad-Aware's Ad Watch and keep them both updated. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated.

Get a software firewall...Kerio or Sygate Personal Firewall work well...I like Kerio because is has a smaller software footprint and seems a little easier to configure.

Also get SpywareGuard, SpywareBlaster and CoolWebShredder. I installed SpywareGuard and SpywareBlaster a few months ago and have been getting much less spyware than before. Be sure to check for updates often. CoolWebShredder is also a good utility to run on your system everyday...helps get rid of hijackers and some of those other nasty stuff that installs themselves on your system without your knowledge. This one gets updated a lot so check often.

Cricket