Question

Malware help...

Asked by: pforbin

Here's the details:

1) Small "about:blank" window opens when opening a new web page.
2) After closing the window, another pops up saying: "this page has an unspecified security risk, would you like to continue?" This can be closed with several clicks on either yes or no.
3)After that window closes, a script error wndow pops up.

Although this happens most of the time, occasionaly it can be closed with just one click. Furthermore, explorer is freezing up after about an hour or so. This is only remedied by shutting the PC down manually and restarting. Maybe the issues are related?  

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Asked On
2009-10-28 at 07:25:53ID24850991
Tags

Windows XP

Topics

Microsoft Operating Systems

,

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
3
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500
Comments
8

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Answers

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-28 at 07:32:35ID: 25683621



Scan for malware:

Go into Safe Mode.
Then go to this website and download these programs:
MalwareBytes Anti Malware.... http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
and/or SuperAntiSpyware http://www.superantispyware.com/  
Make sure you update to the latest versions.

Once downloaded (you may need to rename MalwareBytes, Combofix or other tools before saving their files to the desktop as Malware can recognize the name and block them unless renamed)

While still in Safe Mode, Go to Start-Run and type:

Msconfig

Once in the application, go to the services tab and "hide all Microsoft services" select the remaining and disable". Then go to the Startup Tab and disable all entries
 
Reboot.

After the system boots it will give you a warning regarding the changes made by msconfig. Select do not warn me again.

Now you can run the anti Malware applications recommended above.
 
If the problem persists...go to http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix  and follow the instructions.  

 

by: houssam_balloutPosted on 2009-10-28 at 07:32:44ID: 25683625

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-28 at 07:36:27ID: 25683680

Later, if the problem persists..... we may need to uninstall Internet Explorer..... but lets do one step at the time......

After you finish the Malware scan indicated above and before re-enabling the services and startup items we disabled above, you will need to run from the command prompt the following:

SFC /scannow

This will verify that no critical OS file is missing or damaged.

Keep me posted before attempting any other step. I will be glad to help you.

 

by: bright12Posted on 2009-10-28 at 07:57:21ID: 25683940

You can use Hitman Pro. This program uses different kind of antispyware and malware programs available and it update it to the latest versions.

It is free for use and all the programs are shareware or freeware.

The website is http://www.surfright.nl/en/

 

by: pforbinPosted on 2009-10-28 at 09:05:13ID: 25684755

Thanks everyone, I have run Malware bytes with no results found I will try these things onight when I get home.

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-28 at 10:42:41ID: 25686042

pforbin: This is good news. I don't think we should further pursue a malware search after this test has come out without any error. I mean, we could if you want to. There are many other, very good utilities such as Prevx http://www.prevx.com/ (PcMagazine Editor's Choice May 2009) and they do offer a free version that would allow us to proceed.

Usually the scan for malware is just a first step, to eliminate variables before we do any changes to a computer. The next step would be as I suggested in CommentID: 25683680 to run the System File Checker (SFC) and if the problem persists uninstall and reinstall Internet Explorer.

 

by: pforbinPosted on 2009-10-29 at 17:17:38ID: 25699354

I ran Bright12's suggestion, (hitman pro) and so far so good. I will give it a day or two of browsing and hopefully it won't rear it's ugly head. Thanks all.

 

by: BitsBytesandMorePosted on 2009-10-29 at 19:15:19ID: 25699789

So has any of the antimalware recommended found any malware or viruses...?

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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