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I download a software called "Grokster", the day this happened, but by seeing the adware, I un-installed it, and after this problem, I checked for Spyware/Adware crap with "Spybot S&D" a free Spyware checking software and it found many, I removed them, and ta-da, gone :). I also checked for viruses and yet, none.
Right now, I'm surfing with Opera 7 and wish to get my IE back :)
Any help would be appreciated,
Sid
You can get any IE package here:
[browsers.evolt.org...]
(or try WindowsUpdate)
Any other suggestions would be appreciated,
Sid
If this doesn't work - I would reformat and reinstall windows (or get used to Opera 7 which is prett damn good anyway).
It was caused by some malware corrupting the winsock dll, so it could be related to that download you mentioned..
here's what I did find although it's not as explanatory as the original article I found
Page cannot be displayed or can't browse [support.earthlink.net]
Repairs Winsock 2 settings [cexx.org]
sorry can't find the original documentation, which listed most of the malware that can cause this..
but maybe this will help
Suzy
I am sure you will have to reinstall one day or the other, if not today. :-) My personal advice, do it now.
Sid
I removed it and my IE is back in place, thanks for all your help!
Sid
Obviously, you'll want to be able to use IE for testing purposes, but it's much less likely to break if you use another browser, because you won't end up with lots of spyware.
I can't understand how you can get spyware/adware attacked with IE, because it warns you before every download, and you get that "Security Message" if a website it trying to install a toolbar or anything else, and you can go "No".
Besides, you have all the other options such as Google toolbar; PR; Popup blocker; Autofill, AV toolbar, Alexa, Outlook Express (integration) and heaps of others you can name.
But I do agree - Browsers such as Opera are much better in the design, the buttons and stuff, but then again, some sites have problem rendering in them.
IE's the man ;)
Sid
luck,
robert
You are no more likely to get spyware if using IE than another browser.
I don't know why people are so scared of reinstalling windows.
You just pop in the cd, hit the button and go get a beer.
Sid
ActiveX.
... and/or unrestricted Active scripting enabled for the entire "Internet Zone"
And the irony of it is that if you make the settings reasonably secure, you'll need to move Windows Update to the "Trusted Sites" zone in order for some of the Windows Update customizations to work.
Of course, all browsers have security problems, even Mozilla, Netscape Navigator 6+, Phoenix, and Firebird -- check your Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\<profile_name>\<key>\downloads.rdf file for an example. :)
Jim
Besides, you have all the other options such as Google toolbar; PR; Popup blocker; Autofill, AV toolbar, Alexa, Outlook Express (integration) and heaps of others you can name.
But I do agree - Browsers such as Opera are much better in the design, the buttons and stuff, but then again, some sites have problem rendering in them.
Why are you more likely to get spyware if you use IE? Because..
Spyware is often obtained when you visit websites owned by unscrupulous people. When you visit the website, an file is automatically downloaded onto your computer, so adverts etc. will be forced upon you by the webmaster of the site you visited. Obviously, the file download has to be invisible, which is achieved by some sort of scripting (not exactly sure how). Because the download manager etc. works differently in different browsers, the scripting has to be written specially for different browsers. Most unscrupulous webmasters will only write the scripting for IE, so the download will not happen in other browsers.
^ ...at least that's how I assume they do it --- if anyone knows better, please correct me.
You are no more likely to get spyware if using IE than another browser.lots of people are saying that, but I'd like to know how exactly you can get spyware installed with IE, when it gives you all those security warnings.
I have never ever got spyware thorugh IE, so I'd like to know what the procedure is, I mean, If you download a spyware program, you can just blame it on IE.I don't know why people are so scared of reinstalling windows.
You just pop in the cd, hit the button and go get a beer.which version of Windows do you have? because if you have XP Pro, you need to activate it every time you install, and an activation key can only be used for 2-3 times.
You can request a new activation key, but according to my friends experience, it usually doesn't work.Sid
If you re-read what I said, you are not more likely to get spyware, etc. with IE than other browsers.
The reason is that most of the adware/spyware comes attached to programs that you download and install, or from file sharing programs like kazza, etc.
True, I don't have xp I have 98, however, I believe that you can reinstall xp on top if itself as many times as you need to. It is only if installing it on other machines or after a major hardware upgrade, that you have a problem with registering it.
robert
And the problems rarely make the page unusable unless the designer went out of their way to mess things up for you or it's some sort of webapp (banking, etc...)
As said before, it is possible to "contract" something just by visiting a webpage. Most of the time it's just a clueless user downloading stuff they don't understand.
ActiveX.... and/or unrestricted Active scripting enabled for the entire "Internet Zone"
And the irony of it is that if you make the settings reasonably secure, you'll need to move Windows Update to the "Trusted Sites" zone in order for some of the Windows Update customizations to work.
Of course, all browsers have security problems, even Mozilla, Netscape Navigator 6+, Phoenix, and Firebird -- check your Windows\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\<profile_name>\<key>\downloads.rdf file for an example.
Just before posting this, opened Ad-Aware, updated reference file and did a complete scan.
(Last scan was several weeks ago!)
I'm using IE with ActiveX enabled ALL the time.
It found one cookie. That's it. One cookie. (And yes, I do surf a lot.)
This is usually how it is. Only when I'm trying out dubious "free" software does spyware get on my system from time to time.
A few IE settings:
- Everything is "internet", no "trusted sites"! (never bothered with that)
- "ActiveX controls and plug-ins": all set to "Promt". Funny thing is, it never asks, so my guess is nobody hardly ever uses them.
- Unchecked "Enable Install On Demand"
However, that is very good that it only found one bad cookie.
I agree that most of the spyware adware, etc. comes with downloaded, free programs and/or files from p2p file sharing like kazza, etc.
luck,
robert
