Well, I've run Spy-bot, and I've run Ad-aware, but I still have a problem. No I haven't run Norton anti-virus yet, because I don't have it installed yet (new computer, please don't tell any of the infectious *******s that pass that stuff out)...

But my current issue is hyperlinks randomly placed in text. For example when Lifeguardjoe is displayed [Lifeguardjo] becomes a hyperlink to some car finance site or something, same thing when [truck] is displayed. It isn't always the whole word like in the LGJ case, but sometimes it is...

any ideas?

 

In a thread a couple days ago, you mentioned that you were looking for a pop-up blocker of some sort. Was this for the PC you are talking about now? If so, what software did you install, perhaps just try out and not keep? That is likely the culprit.

 

Yes, it was, and it's possible that's where it came from, but I've since removed Avant, and run both Spy-bot and Ad-aware... and hopt to get Norton's installed soon...

 

Try the Trend Micro free online virus scanner.

www.housecall.antivirus.com

Works well.

 

I had that one once as well... the trendmicro site took care of it for me...

I now have coolwebsearch on my box at home and can't get rid of it to save my life. It's the search.x variant and simply cannot be removed with any simplicity at all...

Yes, I've tried CWShredder and the other fixes out there. That works temporarily but comes back the next time I open and close IE.



RP

 

Try Hi-jack this also (go to CNET.COM for the free download - http://download.com.com/sort/3120-20...cnet.sr.nav.dl ) I use Ad-Aware and Spybot too...be sure to regularly check for updates, they do it often.


RP, did you try this:

Click the START button
Click on RUN
Type in MSCONFIG
Choose the STARTUP tab
Uncheck any boxes that you're unfamiliar with or search the web for the files listed that you're unsure of

Sounds like it's reloading itself on startup....

 

Sometimes the best thing to do is just start over. Backup, format, reload.

You can dig around in the registry, sometimes you find stuff. Or, you could switch browsers

 

Sounds like nCase. I had all kinds of problems like yours and I was too cheap/hardheaded/angry to get a virus program to remove the stuff for me. I wanted to know WTF was going on, and I stumbled across this website:

doxdesk

The guy who runs it goes out looking for these types of programs and tracks where they come from, who supports them, what they do, and why. It was an education to say the least. If you want to get rid of everything on your PC and know what these people did to you and why, check it out.

Just my .02

 

I remove the entries with hijack this and they simply come back... again, it's a temp fix. Also, yep, I've taken everything out of startup...

This one is a real loo-loo.

RP

 

Geez, I wish I was there - sounds like a challenge. Did you try testing the minds at
http://www.computing.net/ ? Excellent web site...

 

I haven't. I have a hunch that some of my problem is that I've utilized XP's feature where you can have different computer administrators and ultimately, different sets of settings files for individual users (AKA: my wife and me).

Once I've removed it from my side and then go over to remove it from her side, the file reloads somehow I believe...

This one has definately kicked my butt but, I've had little to no time to deal with it... moderating on two VERY busy internet forums (here and meguiarsonline.com), work, yard, life, wife, dog, etc... I have no time to pee and poo much less do things I need to do.

Ahh, I should've stayed in college... surely I could've found another 4 or 5 majors to puruse. Two didn't keep me there long enough and, ultimately, has caused me more pain in the real world.

 

Have you tried Ad-Ware yet? Cousins computer had those. Ran ad-ware and they are no more.

 

Load up Monzillia, and stop using IE. It is on par with MS virus spreader ( aka Outlook ).

Don't use flashpeek slimbrowers, has a spy ware program built into it.

Also get a copy of ZoneAlarm. Use the Pro version. You will shocked how many location try to connect to your PC as a server. Zone Alarm is not for the faint of heart, but it works better then Norton firewall, or the trash that MS includes. Would you be shocked to learn that every time you open any MS office application that it tries to acces the internet. Can you say big brother wants to know what you are doing ?

This is not the updater program. The nice part about Zone Alarm is it tells you which program it is using to access the internet. Take MS Media Player. Ever time you get done playing a movie, it access the internet. This is a different program then say the codec downloader.

MS is getting a bit happy with themselves in tracking what we are all doing.

Standard load for me, Zone Alarm cranked way down in access, Norton Anti Virus, and a copy of Ad-Ware.

 

Yep. I've used it and it works temporarily. Then it reloads itself some how. I've scavanged through the registery hunting for 'odd-ball' stuff but, as of yet, I haven't found it.

RP

 

I've tried Mozilla and honestly, I just didn't like it. I'm a creature of habit and I love the functionality of IE.

Also, I am running ZoneAlarm but, unfortunately, it's not snagging the incoming or outgoing as I have to leave IE as a internet accessible program in order for it to work.