Re: internet problem

From: Chuck (none_at_example.net)
Date: 05/04/04 

Date: 4 May 2004 11:54:09 -0500

On Tue, 4 May 2004 06:50:35 -0700, "iain" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com>
wrote:

>i had this problem about a year ago and to fix it i had
>to reinstall windows.the problem is when i click on some
>links within a site the page commences as if i`m gonna go
>there but nothing else happens even if i leave it for
>hours.its happened again and i don`t know why.this time i
>updated my browser to aol 9 and the problem has gone when
>i use aol which is my default browser but if i try to get
>windows update it uses internet explorer(which still has
>the problem) which works ok up to the point where i click
>install then the download page(or small box)comes up but
>goes no further and doesn`t download.another example of
>the type of link that wont work is the links along the
>top right corner in black...all
>products/support/search/microsoft uk guide.
>i thought this may be a java or another setting so
>enabled all java i could find i also tried setting my
>security and privacy to low in internet options then
>restoring defaults but nothing fixed it.if anyone is
>familiar with this problem and can tell me how to fix it
>i would be grateful.thank you

Iain,

Could be a browser or dns hijack.

Search your entire system drive, including hidden and system folders, for file
"hosts". There is one legit copy, in C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\. The
others are bogus, and part (but just part) of the problem. Also, examine the
contents of the legit copy, using Notepad, too.

How current is your virus protection? Try these free online virus scans:
<http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php>
<http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm>
<http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp>
<http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp>

Now check for, and learn to defend against, additional carriers of infection.

First, download LSP-Fix and WinsockXPFIx from <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>,
and CWShredder from <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html>. All are
free.

Next, close all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, then run CWShredder.
Have it fix all variants.

Now check for, and remove, spyware. Get HijackThis
<http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155> and Spybot S&D
<http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>. Both free.
1) Install and run Spybot. First update it ("Search for updates"), then run a
scan ("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and make all recommended deletions.
2) Install and run HijackThis. Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
3) Have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the following
forums (and post it here):
<http://forums.net-integration.net/>
<http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/>
<http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>
<http://www.wilderssecurity.com/>

If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage your
network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.

Finally, improve your chances for the future.

Harden your browser. There are various websites which will check for
vulnerabilities, here are three which I use.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/
https://testzone.secunia.com/browser_checker/

Harden your operating system. Check at least monthly for security updates.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. Three Hosts file sources I
use:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(The third is included, and updated, with Spybot (see above)).

Maintain your Hosts file with:
eDexter <http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html>
Hostess <http://accs-net.com/hostess/>
HostsFileReader <http://members.shaw.ca/techcd/VB_Projects/HostsFileReader.exe>

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: HTTP bad HTTPS good - cannot find server
    ... > internet connection runs through my Windows-run computer with the browser ... I haven't downloaded another browser to try it ... > The only oddity was that Spybot returned an error: ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: HELP PLEASE - Internet Help !!!
    ... >following titles of each Window when I log onto the ... Next, close all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, then run CWShredder. ... Install and run Spybot. ... Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain)
  • HTTP bad HTTPS good - cannot find server
    ... My web browser is unable to view any sites that I have tried, ... Even with this problem I have other internet function, like SSH, FTP, ... I have scanned my system with both Ad-Aware and Spybot - Search & ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: Internet Browser hi-jack!
    ... Click on 'Tools', 'Internet Options'. ... third-party browser extension's. ... it's encouraged that you run an anti-spyware program, such as AdAware (link ... you may also wish to delete your Hosts file. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: No viruses, but web browsing is insanely slow
    ... Spybot S&D has a useful function that tweaks the hosts file which has ... computer as well as blocking most internet ads. ... see ad.doubleclick.com most often when your browser is clunking along. ... Some of the other programs you use probably tinker with the hosts file ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.vista.security)