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Spyware / Malware / Virus Removal

Tired Of People On Page

5 min read

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Post #1
Despite all my precautions I seemed to get the People On Page (POP) on my computer. Neither SpyBot S&D or AdAware will permanently clean it. I have tried turning off the restore function and rebooting my computer but POP still comes back. I have also used McAfee to clean my Restore files without luck

Below is a copy the log file from HiJack This. I appreciate any help you can offer. This site came highly recommended.

Thank You

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 6:58:01 PM, on 10/31/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\Nhksrv.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
C:\WINDOWS\MMKeybd.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\devldr32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Solution Center\Service.exe
C:\Program Files\CASIO\Photo Loader\Plauto.exe
C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\system\PKJobs.exe
C:\Program Files\Netropa\Onscreen Display\OSD.exe
C:\Program Files\Greetings Workshop\GWREMIND.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\1033\msoffice.exe
C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\SYSTEM\PKSlapi.exe
C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\SYSTEM\PKTOPASS.EXE
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\AutoUpdate\AutoUpdate.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\fwcetup.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\gbhrenv.exe
C:\Program Files\CxtPls\CxtPls.exe
C:\Program Files\HiJack This\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page_bak = about:blank
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {01C5BF6C-E699-4CD7-BEA1-786FA05C83AB} - C:\Program Files\CxtPls\CxtPls.dll
O2 - BHO: Browser - {046D6EA4-15E3-4b27-8010-45BD78A9219E} - C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetkw.dll
O2 - BHO: TChkBHO Class - {A383328C-1547-46BE-A0C0-5599026134D5} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\wtgkw.dll
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DellTouch] C:\WINDOWS\MMKeybd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hplampc] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [inetmgr] C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetmgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AutoUpdater] "C:\Program Files\AutoUpdate\AutoUpdate.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [p4mX37j] fwcetup.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Y357RXH7S] gbhrenv.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Dell Service.lnk = C:\Program Files\Dell\Solution Center\Service.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Photo Loader supervisory.lnk = C:\Program Files\CASIO\Photo Loader\Plauto.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: PageKeeper Lite Jobs.lnk = C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\system\PKJobs.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Event Reminder.lnk = C:\Program Files\Broderbund\PrintMaster\PMREMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Greetings Workshop Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Greetings Workshop\GWREMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Define - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Look Up in &Encyclopedia - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSJAVA.DLL
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSJAVA.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Encarta Encyclopedia - {2FDEF853-0759-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Encarta Encyclopedia - {2FDEF853-0759-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {4B3520B0-D518-4443-BA9E-2D4CE7F773C5} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Define - {5DA9DE80-097A-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Define - {5DA9DE80-097A-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {9885224C-1217-4c5f-83C2-00002E6CEF2B} - (no file) (HKCU)
O9 - Extra button: Dell Home - {EE117DAA-A30B-40FC-945C-38AE1B80C1FA} - http://www.dellnet.com/ (file missing) (HKCU)
O16 - DPF: {4E888414-DB8F-11D1-9CD9-00C04F98436A} (Microsoft.WinRep) - https://webresponse.one.microsoft.com/oas/ActiveX/winrep.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsc…81/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {72C23FEC-3AF9-48FC-9597-241A8EBDFE0A} (InstallShield International Setup Player) - http://ftp.hp.com/pub/automatic/player/isetupML.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061…all/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {87067F04-DE4C-4688-BC3C-4FCF39D609E7} - http://download.websearch.com/Dnl/T_50038/QDow_AS2.cab
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield Setup Player) - http://ftp.hp.com/pub/automatic/player/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {A7E092C3-692A-11D0-A7E5-08002B322F3B} (WebResponseAttachments Control) - https://webresponse.one.microsoft.com/oas/A…eX/FileXfer.cab
O16 - DPF: {AE1C01E3-0283-11D3-9B3F-00C04F8EF466} (HeartbeatCtl Class) - http://fdl.msn.com/zone/datafiles/heartbeat.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} (ZoneIntro Class) - http://zone.msn.com/binFramework/v10/ZIntro.cab27513.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcgdmg…,19/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {E5D419D6-A846-4514-9FAD-97E826C84822} (HeartbeatCtl Class) - http://fdl.msn.com/zone/datafiles/heartbeat.cab
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.hp.com/sj/en/check/qdiagh.cab?322
O16 - DPF: {F57D17AE-CE37-4BC8-B232-EA57747BE5E7} - http://66.230.146.53/EPlugin_US.cab
Post #2
hello,

lets try this;
Before we start, please go to your Add/Remove Programs panel- Look for these programs and uninstall it if present:
INTERNET KEYWORD
AutoUpdate

Make sure your PC is configured to show hidden files

Double click my computers & Go to Tools > Folder Options. Click on the View tab and make sure that "Show hidden files and folders" is checked. Also uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and untick "hide extensions for known file types" . Now click "Apply to all folders"
Click "Apply" then "OK"

Scan with HijackThis and place an check next to the following entries,close all windows,then press *fix checked*

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {01C5BF6C-E699-4CD7-BEA1-786FA05C83AB} - C:\Program Files\CxtPls\CxtPls.dll

O2 - BHO: Browser - {046D6EA4-15E3-4b27-8010-45BD78A9219E} - C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetkw.dll

O2 - BHO: TChkBHO Class - {A383328C-1547-46BE-A0C0-5599026134D5} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\wtgkw.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [inetmgr] C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetmgr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AutoUpdater] "C:\Program Files\AutoUpdate\AutoUpdate.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [p4mX37j] fwcetup.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Y357RXH7S] gbhrenv.exe

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {4B3520B0-D518-4443-BA9E-2D4CE7F773C5} - (no file)

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {9885224C-1217-4c5f-83C2-00002E6CEF2B} - (no file) (HKCU)

O16 - DPF: {87067F04-DE4C-4688-BC3C-4FCF39D609E7} - http://download.websearch.com/Dnl/T_50038/QDow_AS2.cab

O16 - DPF: {F57D17AE-CE37-4BC8-B232-EA57747BE5E7} - http://66.230.146.53/EPlugin_US.cab
————————————————————————————————–
next boot into SAFE MODE(tap f8 key at start up, chose SAFE MODE.
ok once in safe mode:
find and delete:

AutoUpdate >entire folder located>C:\Program Files\AutoUpdate
INTERN~2 >entire folder located>C:\Program Files

fwcetup.exe> just that file only located>C:\WINDOWS\system32
gbhrenv.exe> " " " " "

still in safe mode clear temps:

Empty Temp folders. Go to Start > Run and type:cleanmgr. Windows will scan. When done check these 3 and press *ok* to remove:

Temporary Files
Temporary Internet Files
Recycle Bin

reboot normally, then post a new HJT log…………………
Post #3
I greatly appreciate your help.

I was able to delete INTERNET KEYWORD but Autoupdate was not visible in the Add/Remove Programs panel.

Was not able to see the following 2 entires in HJT after I deleted Internet Keyword:
O2 - BHO: Browser - {046D6EA4-15E3-4b27-8010-45BD78A9219E} - C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetkw.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [inetmgr] C:\PROGRA~1\INTERN~2\inetmgr.exe

Lastly, when I tried to delete INTERN~2 >entire folder located>C:\Program Files
is was gone also.

I was able to complete the rest of your directions without any problems.

My new HJT log is below:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 8:30:32 PM, on 10/31/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\MMKeybd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\devldr32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Nhksrv.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsrte.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\Solution Center\Service.exe
C:\Program Files\CASIO\Photo Loader\Plauto.exe
C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\system\PKJobs.exe
C:\Program Files\Greetings Workshop\GWREMIND.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Netropa\Onscreen Display\OSD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\1033\msoffice.exe
C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\SYSTEM\PKSlapi.exe
C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\SYSTEM\PKTOPASS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\HiJack This\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page_bak = about:blank
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] "c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshld.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\McUpdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DellTouch] C:\WINDOWS\MMKeybd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hplampc] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hplampc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Dell Service.lnk = C:\Program Files\Dell\Solution Center\Service.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Photo Loader supervisory.lnk = C:\Program Files\CASIO\Photo Loader\Plauto.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: PageKeeper Lite Jobs.lnk = C:\Program Files\Caere\PageKeepLite30\system\PKJobs.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Event Reminder.lnk = C:\Program Files\Broderbund\PrintMaster\PMREMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Greetings Workshop Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Greetings Workshop\GWREMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Define - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Look Up in &Encyclopedia - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSJAVA.DLL
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\MSJAVA.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Encarta Encyclopedia - {2FDEF853-0759-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Encarta Encyclopedia - {2FDEF853-0759-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_ENC.HTM
O9 - Extra button: Define - {5DA9DE80-097A-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Define - {5DA9DE80-097A-11D4-A92E-006097DBED37} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\A\ERS_DEF.HTM
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra button: Dell Home - {EE117DAA-A30B-40FC-945C-38AE1B80C1FA} - http://www.dellnet.com/ (file missing) (HKCU)
O16 - DPF: {4E888414-DB8F-11D1-9CD9-00C04F98436A} (Microsoft.WinRep) - https://webresponse.one.microsoft.com/oas/ActiveX/winrep.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsc…81/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {72C23FEC-3AF9-48FC-9597-241A8EBDFE0A} (InstallShield International Setup Player) - http://ftp.hp.com/pub/automatic/player/isetupML.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061…all/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {90C9629E-CD32-11D3-BBFB-00105A1F0D68} (InstallShield Setup Player) - http://ftp.hp.com/pub/automatic/player/isetup.cab
O16 - DPF: {A7E092C3-692A-11D0-A7E5-08002B322F3B} (WebResponseAttachments Control) - https://webresponse.one.microsoft.com/oas/A…eX/FileXfer.cab
O16 - DPF: {AE1C01E3-0283-11D3-9B3F-00C04F8EF466} (HeartbeatCtl Class) - http://fdl.msn.com/zone/datafiles/heartbeat.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} (ZoneIntro Class) - http://zone.msn.com/binFramework/v10/ZIntro.cab27513.cab
O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcgdmg…,19/mcgdmgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {E5D419D6-A846-4514-9FAD-97E826C84822} (HeartbeatCtl Class) - http://fdl.msn.com/zone/datafiles/heartbeat.cab
O16 - DPF: {EB387D2F-E27B-4D36-979E-847D1036C65D} (QDiagHUpdateObj Class) - http://h30043.www3.hp.com/sj/en/check/qdiagh.cab?322



Thank You again.
Post #4
hello,

you did a good job. log looks good. when you uninstalled INTERNET KEYWORD via add/remove it must have removed all the stuff it installed, which is usually not the case.. thats why you coudnt find it.

Please follow a few tips to remain malware free:

1) Make sure you keep your Windows OS current by visiting Windows update occasionaly to download and install any critical updates and service packs. With out these you are leaving the backdoor open.
http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/en/default.asp

Also download, install and keep updated- Antivirus Software (and use only one):
Free for home users:
http://www.avast.com/eng/free_virus_protectio.html
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/
http://www.free-av.com/

2) Watch what you download, and where you download it from. Many programs come bundled with crapware. Make sure you know what it is you will be downloading and installing. Visit the makers website, learn more about the program, read the privacy policy. Does the program you want come bundled with other "3rd party" programs? What do the 3rd party programs do? Will they deliver ads? Track your surfing habits?.You may be installing more than you think., Stay away from warez and crack sites. Becarful what you download from file sharing networks.If you are not sure, scan it with your Antivirus app. A small file (in KB) is probably not what you think it is.

3)Adjust your browser settings: Change your(active x) settings in IE. With IE open go to tools, internet options, security tab. Click on the internet globe, then custom level. Set the first option "download signed active x controls" to prompt, the next two to disable. Read more: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/btw/ie/ie-opts.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/…y/settings.mspx
Many exploits are directed at Internet Explorer, you dont have to use it. Try a different browser: http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

4)Install a firewall. A firewall will control what comes in from the internet and what leaves your computer to the internet. A firewall will also alert you when a application trys to connect to the internet from your computer, this is a good way to catch crapware or trojans, trying to connect out bound from your computer- whats that and why does it need a internet connection? You can deny it access it until more investigation is done. Zone Alarm is a free and easy to use firewall, that will provide in and outbound protection. Microsoft XP firewall only provides inbound protection. SP2 adds in and out bound protection which is better than nothing, but is not as robust as third party firewalls. Be sure to run only >one< firewall.If you use another, be sure to disable XP's built in firewall.
Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
Kerio Personal Firewall: http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_home.html
Outpost Firewall: http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpost/

5)Download, install and update before using:(if these are constantly finding malware, then you need to make some changes.)
Ad-Aware SE Personal edition: http://www.lavasoft.de/
Spybot Search and destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Becarful with spyware "removers and scanners"– there are many "rogue/suspect" programs that "claim to remove" spyware.


6)Other programs to consider:
SpywareBlaster: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/ind…showtutorial=49
IE-SPYAD: https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm#IESPYAD

7) Learn More:
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/
http://www.cexx.org/adware.htm
http://www.markusjansson.net/erecent.html
Post #6
Shelf Life - It has been about 5 days since you worked your magic and everything appears to be fine. No more new instances of POP. I have rune SpyBot S&D and AdAware every day since I implemented your recommendations and no POP showing up anywhere. I think it safe to say I'm good to go. One question for you though. When I run SpyBot S&D it always finds 5 instances of something called DSO Exploit. Any idea what that is and how/if it should be cleaned?
Post #8
With that being said I think it is safe to lock this thread and move it to the solved hijacks area. Thanks again for all your help. I greatly appreciate all you have done to help me.
Post #10
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To help keep you clean follow the recommendations in Tony's article here:
So how did I get infected in the first place?

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