Is this a spyware infection?

[tomld2]

Whenever IE is open every minute or so, it loads this URL...

<please, no specifics>

with a long session string on the end of it. No matter what site I am on, this flashes about once a minute, in the lower status bar and the progress bar appears. The site doesn't change pages, but it's loading something.

Does anyone know what this is?

Thanks
Tom

[edited by: tedster at 7:09 am (utc) on July 16, 2004]

[Purple Martin]

I can't see the URL you posted as it's been snipped according to the forum rules, however what you describe does sound like spyware. Download and use a spyware search-and-remove program such as Adaware by Lavasoft, and an anti-virus program. Even if you don't want to pay for anti-virus, it's worth downloading a 15-day trial just to help you clean your machine.ain

Ohe yes, one other thing: from now on use the Firefox browser, you'll be much less likely to get infected again and you'll really like the browser's speed and features.

[Reflect]

I would take two actions.

Search Google for Spysweeper, second return is the actual company.

Then I would search Google for Trend Micro and do the free online scan called house call.

Between the two all will be good.

A have always pushed Ad Aware and Spy bot. However I have done some testing here at work, I do AV administration all day, and Spy Sweeper found more than the other two. Just a personal observation.

Take care,

Brian

[wellzy]

I agree. I swear by Spysweeper now. finds more and protects better. PestPatrol also works well. Now that I think about it, what a pity I have 4 different spyware proggy's ;)

wellzy

[D_Blackwell]

I don't think Spybot is updating anymore, and I've been looking for another spyware monitor.

[SEOMike]

IMHO multiple spyware programs work best. I have three, and after some heavy surfing for reserch in industries related to perscript drug sales or online degrees I find my computer chock full of spyware. No matter the order I run my programs, they will al find somehting. I've tried running a 4th and a 5th, but the 3 seem to get the job done. Any one or two of them don't get it all done.

Play with different program combinations... you might see what I'm talking about.

[D_Blackwell]

I don't think Spybot is updating anymore

Well shut my mouth! There was a version change (around March?). I didn't know that, and evidently this is why it has been refusing to update for me. (Though I've always thought the updates to be glitchy. The newest one is giving me a "bad checksum" now.) I had also forgotten that I already had SpywareBlaster already installed? (Behind on that version too:( Except for tracking cookies, no problems. And I consider my self very vigilant?