Possible Spyware Invasion

[Emmie]

Ever since visiting a particular website, a separate IE
window will open up and there's an advertisment telling me
that my computer may have been infected w/ spyware.
Sometimes I get 4 or 5 windows in succession after closing
one window and sometimes just one opens up. As you can
image, this gets quite annoying.

The windows open up even when I'm not online. I'll see the
website's address on the title bar, but eventually the
message changes, informing me that I'm not connected to
the internet.

I'm not sure if my computer is actually infected w/
spyware. I've cleaned out the cache & temporary internet
file, defragmented and ScanDisked.

Does anyone know how to stop the windows from popping up.
I'm leary about downloading files (to fix the spyware I
may or may not have), so I'm only condsidering downloads
as as last resort. I'm hoping there might be a file I
could look for & delete or a change I can make to the
registry.

By the way, I just remembered that on the same day that I
visted the "corrupt" website, several files were
downloaded to my desktop. (including several
executables). I've deleted all of those files, but who
knows were other files may be hiding.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

[TOM]

>-----Original Message-----
>Ever since visiting a particular website, a separate IE
>window will open up and there's an advertisment telling
me
>that my computer may have been infected w/ spyware.
>Sometimes I get 4 or 5 windows in succession after
closing
>one window and sometimes just one opens up. As you can
>image, this gets quite annoying.
>
>The windows open up even when I'm not online. I'll see
the
>website's address on the title bar, but eventually the
>message changes, informing me that I'm not connected to
>the internet.
>
>I'm not sure if my computer is actually infected w/
>spyware. I've cleaned out the cache & temporary internet
>file, defragmented and ScanDisked.
>
>Does anyone know how to stop the windows from popping
up.
>I'm leary about downloading files (to fix the spyware I
>may or may not have), so I'm only condsidering downloads
>as as last resort. I'm hoping there might be a file I
>could look for & delete or a change I can make to the
>registry.
>
>By the way, I just remembered that on the same day that I
>visted the "corrupt" website, several files were
>downloaded to my desktop. (including several
>executables). I've deleted all of those files, but who
>knows were other files may be hiding.
>
>Thanks in advance for your replies.

I have been battling the same problem. I did everything in
the world and would not help. I finally had to go and
restore my registry back to 2 days ago when everything was
fine. This cleared up my problem.Any problems, you may
email me in private.
Good luck, Tom.
>
>.
>

[Sandi - Microsoft MVP]

There are many people who have helped this FAQ improve over time - MVPs and
newsgroup users. I thank all of you who have made the newsgroups,
anti-malware websites and dedicated mailing lists into such a wonderful
resource.

IMPORTANT: Before trying to remove spyware, download a copy of LSPFIX from
the URL below - some malware can kill your internet connection when it is
removed, and this software should get things going for you again:
http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm

IMPORTANT: After obtaining the software below, make sure you check for
updates and then run the programmes in safe mode.

You can go to the link below to check your system for parasites (supplied by
Doxdesk.com):
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Malware removal (beginners guide):

First, go to Control Panel, add/remove programs. Check for malware entries
and use the uninstall programs.

Second, get AdAware. [..Warning: AdAware is now version 6.181. All previous
versions are NO LONGER SUPPORTED and will not be updated...]

AdAware is available at www.lavasoft.de. Make sure you check for updates
every time you use it.

To be most effective, you must run AdAware while Windows is in safe mode.

Modern malware uses more than one process, and these processes are
'co-dependent'. In other words, when one processes detects that the other
has been shut down, it automatically restarts its sibling, often using a
different name.

Disable the ability of suspect processes to start automatically by using
MSCONFIG (startup tab) before booting into safe mode. Use the information
at the URL below as a guide:

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

Reboot your computer and hold down the F8 key until the boot menu options
appear. Select 'safe mode'. After you are in safe mode, check to make sure
the suspect processes did not start up. If they did start up, we are going
to have to track down *where* they are coming from before going any further.
An experienced computer technician can use programme such as AutoStart
Viewer for in-depth diagnosis:
http://www.diamondcs.com.au/index.php?page=asviewer

While still in safe mode, and after you have shut down as many malware
processes as possible, start AdAware. AdAware, when run using default
settings, simply does not cope with new 'intelligent' malware. Make sure
'activate in depth scan' is enabled. Select 'use custom scanning options'
and then click on the 'customize' button. Turn on the following scan
options - scan within archives, active processes, registry (including deep
scan), IE favorites and hosts file. You must also turn on the following
option via the 'tweak' button:

Cleaning engine: 'automatically try to unregister objects prior to deletion'

IMPORTANT: Before letting AdAware delete malware, write down on a piece of
paper exactly where the malware is stored. You will need to delete those
directories after AdAware has done its work, but ONLY IF IT IS NOT A
STANDARD WINDOWS DIRECTORY.

After running AdAware, run it again, this time using the option 'select
drives/folders to scan'. Click on 'select'. Scan your entire hard drive.
Also do the following:

Empty your IE cache and your other temporary file folders, eg:
c:\windows\temp (if using Windows 98) or C:\Documents and
Settings\<name>\Local Settings\Temp (the path to your temp folder will
change depending on your name) - sometimes programmes can be hidden in
there - watch out for mysterious *.exe files or *.dll files in those
folders.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Temporary Internet Files {Settings
Button}, View Objects, Downloaded Programme Files. Check for unusual objects
there.

Go to IE Tools, Internet Options, Accessibility. Make sure there is no
style sheet chosen (under User Style Sheet - format documents using my style
sheet). If the option is turned on, turn it OFF.

It is possible to turn off third party extensions (Enable third-party
browser extensions (requires restart) at IE tools, internet options,
advanced) to disable *all* plug-ins but troubleshooting will be difficult
and it is only a BANDAID. Nothing gets fixed. There is software that
depends on 'third party browser extensions" to work, including Acrobat,
Microsoft Money, and many other programmes.

Once your computer is clean, and if it applies to your operating system,
create a new restore point. Your old ones may, of course, be infected with
the malware and therefore cannot be used. Run disk cleanup to remove old
restore points (if you operating system has this option you will find it on
the 'more options' tab of the disk cleanup utility).

If you are still having problems:

You can go to the link below to check your system for parasites and
hopefully identify your problem (supplied by Doxdesk.com):

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/parasite.htm

Download and run the latest version of "Cool Web Shredder"
http://www.merijn.org/files/CWShredder.exe

The more experienced user can try Spybot. Again, it is a free programme
which can be downloaded from: http://spybot.eon.net.au/. Warning: it is NOT
a good programme for the inexperienced. If you want to use this programme,
please get the advice of those more experienced before 'fixing' anything
that it finds.

Another excellent programme that allows you to examine your system and
*create a results log for experts to examine* is HijackThis, available from:
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

MS have released a limited KB article regarding what they call 'deceptive
software'.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315

Here is advice specific to:

home page hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers.htm#home_page

pop-up ads
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/popup.htm

search engine hijackings
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/answers4.htm#search_engine


--
Hyperlinks are used to ensure advice remains current
_______________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/



Emmie wrote:
> Ever since visiting a particular website, a separate IE
> window will open up and there's an advertisment telling me
> that my computer may have been infected w/ spyware.
> Sometimes I get 4 or 5 windows in succession after closing
> one window and sometimes just one opens up. As you can
> image, this gets quite annoying.
>
> The windows open up even when I'm not online. I'll see the
> website's address on the title bar, but eventually the
> message changes, informing me that I'm not connected to
> the internet.
>
> I'm not sure if my computer is actually infected w/
> spyware. I've cleaned out the cache & temporary internet
> file, defragmented and ScanDisked.
>
> Does anyone know how to stop the windows from popping up.
> I'm leary about downloading files (to fix the spyware I
> may or may not have), so I'm only condsidering downloads
> as as last resort. I'm hoping there might be a file I
> could look for & delete or a change I can make to the
> registry.
>
> By the way, I just remembered that on the same day that I
> visted the "corrupt" website, several files were
> downloaded to my desktop. (including several
> executables). I've deleted all of those files, but who
> knows were other files may be hiding.
>
> Thanks in advance for your replies.