Can't search!

weaksauce

Regular
I got bombarded with spyware after running some keygenerator, they hampered performance and loaded lots of popups. I've managed to get rid most of it by running some anti-spyware software, but what still doesn't work is that I can't access any web search engine. I can get to google's homepage, but the search doesn't work. Yahoo and altavista sites don't work for me at all. It's kind of annoying. Any suggestions?

Oh and also there's this:
http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/9787/spywaresx1.png

I kind of like that one though.
 
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AVG antispyware + spyware doctor + avg anti-rootkit + avg anti-virus free + adaware/spybot (your choice)

try them all, run procexp afterward and search for rogue (packed) processes and impostors posing as legitimate system processes.

BTW, the problem you've described is a simple browser hijack BHO. I'm disappointed you've been told to nuke & pave for such a simple problem...
 
Once you have things fixed up you really need to find a better place for your porn and keygens...
 
AVG antispyware + spyware doctor + avg anti-rootkit + avg anti-virus free + adaware/spybot (your choice)

try them all, run procexp afterward and search for rogue (packed) processes and impostors posing as legitimate system processes.

BTW, the problem you've described is a simple browser hijack BHO. I'm disappointed you've been told to nuke & pave for such a simple problem...

Well I tried all different kinds, bulletproof anti spyware, adaware, spyware doctor, pestpatrol, panda antivirus with antispyware, and finally I installed symantec antivirus and it found a "vundu" trojan, but that still didn't quite do it. Anyhow, I've just formatted this mofo. And I've made a seperate partion for windows, so next time the shit hits the fan, I'll just zap it. ZAP! Just like that.

:smile:
 
Well I tried all different kinds, bulletproof anti spyware, adaware, spyware doctor, pestpatrol, panda antivirus with antispyware, and finally I installed symantec antivirus and it found a "vundu" trojan, but that still didn't quite do it. Anyhow, I've just formatted this mofo. And I've made a seperate partion for windows, so next time the shit hits the fan, I'll just zap it. ZAP! Just like that.

:smile:

call me surprised then. sorry you went through all that. did you try any anti-rootkit software and check the processes via procexp as I suggested?
 
...this is where I might mention linux...or at least vmware (or any virtualization product) for browsing...hell you can install ubuntu inside windows and surf from Firefox or Opera from linux pretty much threat free.
 
...this is where I might mention linux...or at least vmware (or any virtualization product) for browsing...hell you can install ubuntu inside windows and surf from Firefox or Opera from linux pretty much threat free.

He installed the threat mize. It didn't jump out and get him.
 
He installed the threat mize. It didn't jump out and get him.

Scary, eh? But on a vmware IE appliance app it wouldn't have been possible...though "if you make it idiot proof, they'll build a better idiot" is always true...
 
Scary, eh? But on a vmware IE appliance app it wouldn't have been possible...though "if you make it idiot proof, they'll build a better idiot" is always true...

Good thing MS knows this well and will be transitioning all (future) Windows products to a virtualized environment then, eh?
 
Anyhow, I've just formatted ...
If it's any consolation, my laptop got hit by a virus that two different scanners failed to recognise. Ironically, the virus in question kept downloading other virii which were systematically cleaned up by the main scanner.
I could actually see the virus file that was doing the dirty work but, of course, windows :rolleyes: won't allow you to delete an open file so I couldn't kill it while XP was running and the company laptops have full disk encryption installed so I couldn't boot from a CD.

Had to do a format and reinstall but, of course, Vaio laptops cunningly put the reinstall software on the hard disk which was formatted. sigh. It's never been the same since.

I hope there is a special hell reserved for virus writers (and the Sony executive who decided not to ship a re-install CD/DVD).
 
If it's any consolation, my laptop got hit by a virus that two different scanners failed to recognise. Ironically, the virus in question kept downloading other virii which were systematically cleaned up by the main scanner.
I could actually see the virus file that was doing the dirty work but, of course, windows :rolleyes: won't allow you to delete an open file so I couldn't kill it while XP was running and the company laptops have full disk encryption installed so I couldn't boot from a CD.

Had to do a format and reinstall but, of course, Vaio laptops cunningly put the reinstall software on the hard disk which was formatted. sigh. It's never been the same since.

I hope there is a special hell reserved for virus writers (and the Sony executive who decided not to ship a re-install CD/DVD).

You can just use another image of XP.

My HP laptop was like that, and loaded with crap software so I just used my key and an image of vista I burned to reinstall and get rid of all the bullcrap.
 
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