spyware

[Guest A.J.]

When I tried to go to the internet from my computer, it went straight to

spywarewarning.mht. Running windows xp. My Norton Anti-Virus shows nothing,

my Windows Defender showed some things, had removed a couple, left many. I

started up my computer in safe mode, ran both again, both show clean, but the

problem remains if I try to connect, and an icon will appear in my tray.

What do I do? I have no home internet access since my computer is infected,

but could download and burn from a friends computer if needed.

[Guest Malke]

A.J. wrote:

<span style="color:blue">

> When I tried to go to the internet from my computer, it went straight to

> spywarewarning.mht. Running windows xp. My Norton Anti-Virus shows

> nothing,

> my Windows Defender showed some things, had removed a couple, left many.

> I started up my computer in safe mode, ran both again, both show clean,

> but the problem remains if I try to connect, and an icon will appear in my

> tray.

> What do I do? I have no home internet access since my computer is

> infected, but could download and burn from a friends computer if needed.</span>

 

You've apparently picked up a rogue somewhere along the line. You can't fix

this without being able to get to the Internet from some computer. You

don't want to connect the infected computer to the Internet anyway.

 

Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2....emoving_Malware

 

Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to do

all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using

Multi_AV in Vista.

 

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions

http://tinyurl.com/yoeru3 - download link and more instructions

 

You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your

malware here:

Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html

 

When all else fails, get guided help. Choose one of the specialty forums

listed at the first link. Register and read its posting FAQ. DO NOT POST

LOGS IN THE MS NEWSGROUPS.

 

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are

just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;

suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my

suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. If you can't do the work yourself

(and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea), take the

machine to a professional computer repair shop (not your local equivalent

of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops

are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may be

so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. If possible, have

all your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

www.elephantboycomputers.com

Don't Panic!