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Your computer, you should have total control over it.

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MililaniBuckeye said:
Anyone else having problems with the browser hijack virus going around? I've run AdAware twice (newest reference file), and it finds 8 registry entries that are "possible browser hijacks" and deletes them, but even after I change my homepage back to BuckeyePlanet, the home page reverts back to "about:blank" and opens up to some spam site. Obviously there is something that AdAware is not catching which reinstalls the spam registry entries.
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Go the HiJackThis route, they'll find it and tell you how to kill it. Spybot S&D might catch it, but HJT is a sure thing and a better route if you're already infected.

Also, if you haven't already done the HOSTS file, I would. That alone can help prevent hijackings.
 
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http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/06/24/spyware.reut/index.html

Anti-Spyware bill advances in House
"WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- A U.S. congressional committee Thursday approved a bill designed to crack down on deceptive "spyware" that hides in users' computers and secretly monitors their activities.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee voted 45-4 for a bill that would require software makers to notify people before loading new programs on their machines that collects information about them."
 
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Skins

edit- my thoughts were not clear.

The practical issues of enforcement and cost may have been considered also.

I have mentioned that you can run multiple spyware removers and they will all leave something or find domething the others didn't. Try to use more than one.
 
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Clarity said:
Go the HiJackThis route, they'll find it and tell you how to kill it. Spybot S&D might catch it, but HJT is a sure thing and a better route if you're already infected.

Also, if you haven't already done the HOSTS file, I would. That alone can help prevent hijackings.
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C-Dog, thanks...I overlooked what you had posted earlier about HiJackThis. I did the HOSTS file thing a while back, but still got drilled (I have three other family members who use my computer who don't know jack about this stuff and just open up everything in sight...I've done some subsequent "counseling" on that). I ran the two HiJack tools and found a couple files, and after the tools killed them everything works cool so far.

I guess this weekend I'll have to get serious and scrub this box good...
 
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? regarding Spybot

I usually run Spybot and Ad-aware a couple times per week and it seems that at least once a week my browser homepage is being changed, most of the time to the same site. I correct it in Spybot every time but it's really getting old. Is there a way to tell which site I'm picking this crap up from or to block the site it keeps changing to? It's gotten to the point where I visit less than a dozen sites because of all this stuff.
 
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coxew said:
I usually run Spybot and Ad-aware a couple times per week and it seems that at least once a week my browser homepage is being changed, most of the time to the same site. I correct it in Spybot every time but it's really getting old. Is there a way to tell which site I'm picking this crap up from or to block the site it keeps changing to? It's gotten to the point where I visit less than a dozen sites because of all this stuff.
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It's actually possible, even likely, that this is something that lays dormant on your computer, then 'wakes up' now and again to check to see if its spawn is still infecting you, and re-infects you if you're not. Not saying that's a lock, but it's entirely easy to imagine that it's not a website doing it to you at all anymore. Particularly if you've edited your HOSTS file.

I'm a bit of a broken record now, but I'd run HiJackThis is I were you, and paste the output to the experts over at the website I link. No matter what it is and where it's from, I'd be willing to bet they catch it, and tell you how to avoid it for good.
 
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Two more sites I wanted to recommend, one I have before, the other not so much.

http://www.bugmenot.com
Doesn't speak to security and/or keeping crap off your system, but does prevent the need to create 1000 different site login/passwords just to read an article.

http://www.mailinator.com
Slick site that allows open community mailboxes. Meaning, make up [email protected], give that imaginary address to someone without setting anything up on the website, and you can check the inbox. It's a way to have a valid contact address, without exposing your own.
 
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CleveBucks said:
Great compilation of info...

I keep my HOSTS file up to date with just about every advertising server I've come across. I hardly ever see an ad anymore. If anybody wants I can post it for download.
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Do you keep it updated more often than does the site that C-Dog listed does? If so, please post it, and maybe there could be a way we can set up a link to the file and you could keep it updated...
 
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The HOSTS file on that site is much larger than mine (180 Kb vs. about 30 K). I don't know what all they list. I update mine whenever I run across something I don't want to see, so it gets the job done for me. I would rather not have an enormous file, since it might take longer for the browser to search through. Just my opinion of course.

If you want I can upload it periodically and give a link.

MililaniBuckeye said:
Do you keep it updated more often than does the site that C-Dog listed does? If so, please post it, and maybe there could be a way we can set up a link to the file and you could keep it updated...
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The one on that site is *probably* overkill (which isn't really a bad thing) for any normal net user as it has something of a global approach, but it's updated regularly and I wanted to recommend something comprehensive. I think it would be great if you'd post yours now and again, as it's probably more fitting for our little community.


CleveBucks said:
The HOSTS file on that site is much larger than mine (180 Kb vs. about 30 K). I don't know what all they list. I update mine whenever I run across something I don't want to see, so it gets the job done for me. I would rather not have an enormous file, since it might take longer for the browser to search through. Just my opinion of course.

If you want I can upload it periodically and give a link.
Click to expand...
 
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