Removing a Bug

[Rob]

I seem to have picked up a bug which appears to have got around Norton.

My default homepage has now become a Web Search Directory and despite going into Internet Options to change it it keeps coming back. I now get a pop-up 'advising' me to download something called Spyware, which obviously I'm not going to do!

OK, not so bad but one thing which is iritating is that on certain web pages I refer to regularly as soon as the page uploads IE takes me back to the Web Directory homepage!

Anyone know of this bug/script and how to get rid of it? I have done a full system scan with Norton but nothing picked up.

Thanks

 

[gary]

You'll probably need something like Spybot Search & Destroy which you can download at http://www.safer-networking.org/dl - make sure you update it before running it and it should find the problem.

 

[kyber]

As stated, you need a package to remove spyware and the like.

If you are using Internet Explorer, I also suggest that you download the googletoolbar which, as well as giving you access to additional google features, provides popup blocking and some additional related features.

You might also want to try a more modern browser such as Firefox which is free and includes better protection from such beasties. http://www.mozilla.org

Stuart

 

[Sunny]

Hi Rob,

I think you maybe infected with something known as the "Cool Web Search" spyware.

Run a search on google for CWS, i think there is a piece of software called CWS shredder which helps remove all the files associated with this.

Also go to www.download.com and download Ad-aware. Install this and run the program, it will detect any ad-ware or spy-ware which has found its way on to your machine.

If you need any more help, just let me know...

Hope this helps,

 

[Rob]

Just thought I would provide some feedback on my bug removal experience!

I downloaded Spybot Search and Destroy. I was amazed to see that I had over 20 'spies' on my PC, which Spybot dutifully removed. Confident, I logged back in only to find that the problem was still there.

I then moved onto Adware. Downloaded it and it found 31 other 'nasties'. Off it went and did it's job. Logged back in and still found the problem!

Onto Sunny's suggestion re CWS. Loaded it up, and lo and behold problem has gone and my internet suffering experience is back to normal.

I'll certainly keep Spybot and Adware on my PC to update and re-check periodically. Despite having Norton there were 50+ vicious scripts in the background, which on the face of it, until the latest one popped up, was having no effect ... but who knows!

Thanks to the 3 of you for passing on your tips. Shows what a great forum this is.