Internet Explorer Problem

[visagephoto]

I switched over from Internet Explorer to firefox last year when I was experiencing problems with multiple & persistent pop-ups, They were appearing faster than I could close them down i.e. 20-30-40 50 etc. Now whenever I try to log on using I.E. the browser bar displays the following address,

http://www.404ads.net:8000/redirect.php?q=
http%3A%2F%2Flocalhost%3A8045%2Ftemplates
%2Fdemobanner%2Ehtml&u=
0C84A9752313469888A067AB7BDA7B5D&r
=1mx1&c=uk&t=20060310212455

& the bottom bar states "logging on to (http:// www. 404ads.net)." followed by "can't find server"
It doesn't matter if I type in a different url, it always changes to the code above.

Anyway I now have an important program which will only run using the internet explorer browser, but it seems I can't use it until I sort out the above problem. Does anyone have a sollution?, I'm using Windows XP Pro with SP1 (I haven't loaded SP2 because of apparent compatibility problems)

[confused]

I'd suggest running something like adaware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/)initially, I would also reccomend SP2 unless you have some specific software that you know has compatibility issues, but I wouldnt install it unitl your browser problem is fixed.
If a spyware scan shows up ok or doesnt fix the problem, grab hijack this (http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/) do a scan and post the log file here

Some may reccomend microsoft antispyware, or windows defender as it is now called, this is also good but does have issues.

CALV

[visagephoto]

Thanks Calv

I logged on to Hijack this & downloaded and scanned my system with Adware, it found about 46 spyware files on my system, but I couldn't copy the list of infected files to post here, I then went on to register the software but discovered it costs around $60. anyone know of a cheaper or free anti spyware program

[confused]

I think theres a misunderstand, the free version adaware will remove the affected files and is very good. Hijack this is free and will provide the log I mentioned, it provides info on running processes, browser plugins, startup programs etc. Please dont think I sent you off to pay $60 !!!

CALV

[Tam]

Try spybot it's free and very good. http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

Tam

[coxadmin]

I always run Adaware and Spybot (both free versions) - they compliment each other.

With Hijack this you have to save the report and then you can copy and paste it.

[visagephoto]

Thanks Guys

I finally downloaded the free version of 'Adaware SE personal' and it found & removed 364 spyware files. . . And to think, here's me worrying that my system may be infested. . . Am I paranoid or what? :D

I may go back and purchase the upgrade, which allows Adaware to run in the background monitoring your system and hopefully preventing this problem re-occurring.

P.S. I had been running a version of Spybot, but I couldn't update the definitions, and it always reported that my system was clean :?

[Tam]

P.S. I had been running a version of Spybot, but I couldn't
update the definitions, and it always reported that my system was clean

You have to download the new version of spybot every so often for keeping it up-to-date.

Tam

[visagephoto]

P.S. I had been running a version of Spybot, but I couldn't
update the definitions, and it always reported that my system was clean

You have to download the new version of spybot every so often for keeping it up-to-date.

Tam

Thanks Tam

Done it . . .And it found and sorted another 48 spyware infected files.:shock:

[Tam]

Your welcome Alan :wink:

Is everything working Ok now?

Tam

[visagephoto]

Your welcome Alan :wink:

Is everything working Ok now?

Tam

Seems to be, thanks everyone :) :) :)