Bloody homepage changing w*nkers!

[centurion07]

Been perusing a few websites, log off, turn pc on the next day to find that my homepage has been automatically changed to some shite search engine.

Now I've had this before & I've just reset the homepage & it's been fine, but this one is still active after I reset it, & then restart my pc.

I've run a virus program & Adaware but it still resets my homepage everytime I turn it off.

Any ideas on where & what I should be looking to delete that's causing this?

[tuffer]

If its LoP.com (do not visit their site) then you can download a removal tool, just do a google search for it. Only go to the site if you are already infected........or you will be!!!

[Plotloss]

Adaware should get it no worries.

Are your definitions up to date?

[centurion07]

Yup. Ran adaware once, didn't get it so made sure it was updated, ran it again & same non-result!

It's annoying enough when it happens once & you reset it, but knowing that it's gonna happen every time is

edited to say: this (http://drxcount.biz/index.php?aid=420) is the page that I get sent to.

BTW maybe you shouldn't visit that site if the above is true about getting infected by going to a particular site. I thought I should post it though in case anyone has any experience of it

>> Edited by centurion07 on Monday 23 February 11:54

>> Edited by centurion07 on Monday 23 February 11:55

[hut49]

SpyBot and AdAware provide greater scope than either alone. Suggest you download the free SpyBot utility and run this first. Also ensure you update AdAware before you run that again. I'm pretty sure you will find that this fixes the problem.

[Godfrey H]

Centurion you've probably picked up the the CWS trojan. As well as running spybot go to this website and download the CWS removal tool:
www.merijn.org You might have difficulty getting through as the people responsible for the CWS trojan have been attacking the merijn site and others who provide removal tools. If this is the case go to this site and download Spysweeper:
www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/index.php

>> Edited by Godfrey H on Monday 23 February 12:32

[unlicensed]

I have the exact same problem, will have to try fixing it when i get home.

[centurion07]

YAY!!!

Thanks for that guys. I downloaded Spysweeper (couldn't get Spybot for some reason) & it immediately picked up about 15 cookies/ad/spyware things that Adaware had missed.....and consequently has solved the problem.

[hut49]

Glad you got it fixed. The most reliable place to get Spybot seems to be www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp in case you or others need/want to get it.

[bilko]

wow!!!!!!!, i thought Adaware was good but this thing got rid of 96 trace things on my pc including one high risk thing that records key strokes, wonder where that came from?.
I went for the try for free thingy but as with all of these programs im always worried that i am going to get a bill in a month or two as there was no mention of lease lenght.
So much for Norton, it's only ever found one virus and i pay for all the updates etc. Still better than zone alarm imho and i spose it does a different job alltogether. Or have i been a victim of successfull marketing and a command of the AV scene?

PS: thanks for all your suggestions in general on the computers forum guys! Lord knows how much you would have to pay to glean all the advice and experience some of you give out when regularly fired with questions and tears.
:gives nose a wipe:

[centurion07]

bilko said:

wow!!!!!!!, i thought Adaware was good but this thing got rid of 96 trace things on my pc including one high risk thing that records key strokes, wonder where that came from?.

Yeeeeeess.......I think most of my problems have been caused by visiting certain kinds of sites........

[bilko]

Moi????, with my reputation?

[Godfrey H]

Hi guys, glad you are now sorted out. There is a war going on out there, having anti-virus software is now no longer enough. You need to take the following steps to protect yourself:

1. Anti-virus software.
2. Install a firewall eg Zone alarm. Norton etc.
3. Download and install the latest Microsoft security patches for your system via Windows Update.
4. You need at least three trojan hunter packages the
best combination at the moment seems to be, Spybot(free), Adaware(free), and Spysweeper(free trial).
I recommend purchasing the Spysweeper product to get the frequent updates and activating the cookie shield, memory shield and IE home page shield protection.


>> Edited by Godfrey H on Monday 23 February 16:47

[Bodo]

Godfrey H said:

Hi guys, glad you are now sorted out. There is a war going on out there, having anti-virus software is now no longer enough. You need to take the following steps to protect yourself: 1. Anti-virus software. 2. Install a firewall eg Zone alarm. Norton etc. 3. Download and install the latest Microsoft security patches for your system via Windows Update. 4. You need at least three trojan hunter packages the best combination at the moment seems to be, Spybot(free), Adaware(free), and Spysweeper(free trial). I reccomend purchasing the Spysweeper product to get the frequent updates and activating the cookie shield, memory shield and IE home page shield protection.

Absolutely spot-on. Maintain your computer professionally, or get an alternative computing environment like Macintosh, Linux, *BSD, etc. if you can afford, install or operate it

[FunkyNige]

Godfrey H said:

4. You need at least three trojan hunter packages the best combination at the moment seems to be, Spybot(free), Adaware(free), and Spysweeper(free trial).

SpywareBlaster is another anti-spyware thing recommended by Spybot. Yopu can download it via the SpyBot program (somewhere).