Hijacker headache

[snotknocker]

Need help. I'm running windows XP on my PC with DSL . I've got this CoolWWWsearch bot that keeps resetting my homepage to about.blank everytime I go into IE and bombards me with pop-ups. I've run spybot S&D and Adaware. I've run CWshredder. All of these catch it and delete it, however each time I open IE it comes back. I have AVG for virus protection. Is there some type of tweaking I can do to any or all of these programs to eliminate this? Shoud I disable my connection before running these apps? Any help would be appreciated

[jlarlee]

In your program manager see if you can find the process that is causing this and end it

[Spawn Of Hell]

Spybot, Search and Destroy is a damn good Adaware, and spyware tracker, and destroyer.

[snotknocker]

Spybot, Search and Destroy is a damn good Adaware, and spyware tracker, and destroyer.

I used Spybot S&D it found it it cleaned it but it still comes back

[repetske]

In your program manager see if you can find the process that is causing this and end it

It sounds like you still have a program that runs at boot up that keeps reinstalling it. All the spyware programs will catch it once it's back on, but like jlarlee said, try to find what keeps starting it up. Check your startup menu using that msconfig command in the run menu and look for odd items. I had one install in my regular startup folder as well.

[scsg75]

disable backup or (system restore) and then run spybot. Problem is, you run spybot with backup system on and the spyware is found and eliminated, but the system restore puts it back.

[snotknocker]

disable backup or (system restore) and then run spybot. Problem is, you run spybot with backup system on and the spyware is found and eliminated, but the system restore puts it back.

how exactly do I do that

[scsg75]

This should help:

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001111912274039?OpenDocument&src=sec_doc_nam

[danh920]

May I recommend firefox as opposed to IE

[Quackzilla]

Stop downloading porn?

[scsg75]

firefox is good, but he still has to get rid of the spyware for good before he uses anything else, otherwise it will just keep coming back. Turn off system restore, run spybot, eliminate the virus, turn system restore back on and it should be gone for good.

[SEGA128DC]

What exactly is a "Hijacker"?...

[scsg75]

What exactly is a "Hijacker"?...

It's an evil form of adware that automatically installs itself on your computer that redirects your homepage and reconfigures your browser and adds all sorts of crap like search bars and other annoying things. You can get it just by visiting a website, usually porn sites have them.

[snotknocker]

Stop downloading porn?

That would be my last option :D

[SEGA128DC]

Hmm, that's very interesting. Thanks for the info, scsg75...

[snotknocker]

firefox is good, but he still has to get rid of the spyware for good before he uses anything else, otherwise it will just keep coming back. Turn off system restore, run spybot, eliminate the virus, turn system restore back on and it should be gone for good.

i'll try this when I get home. I'm at work now. I'll let you guys know how I make out. thanks

[tokerblue]

If you go into the Advanced view of SpyBot, there is a way to edit what programs are launched when Windows starts. It should be called "System Startup". Go in there and look to see what's booting up when you start Windows. Also make sure you download all the latest updates to Spybot.

[Randomthts]

Snotknocker, try Hijack This :

http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

There are many support forums to help with hjt's output or you could post it here. Seems there are a few techies here ;)