Re: Weird internet problem

From: Chuck (none_at_example.net)
Date: 09/30/04


Date: 30 Sep 2004 12:31:04 -0500

On Thu, 30 Sep 2004 13:01:44 -0400, "Marco" <nospampleasesyxxpk@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>I'm having a very weird problem with the internet. I can ping sites fine
>but if I try to connect to them nothing happens. I've also tried to connect
>to ftp's and get "unknown error". Remote desktop also returns an error.
>The firewall isn't on so that isn't the problem. Any idea what could be
>happening? Thanks.

Marco,

Please examine the exact scope of the problem.

>From a command window:
1) Ping www.yahoo.com.
2) Ping 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.

>From your browser:
3) Browse www.yahoo.com.
4) Browse 66.94.230.33.
Report success / exact text of error messages.

If problem with name, but not ip address (ping and browse by address works), you
have a DNS resolution problem. DNS resolution is affected by the LSP / Winsock
subsystem.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=318584
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=811259

Give LSP-Fix and WinsockXPFix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>, or WinsockFix
<http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=257> a shot.

If XP SP2, Start - Run - "cmd". Type "netsh winsock reset catalog" into the
command window.

If no help yet, reset TCP/IP.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=299357

Start - Run - "cmd". Type "netsh int ip reset c:\netsh.txt" into the command
window.

If the problem is just with the browser (and ftp?) (and pinging by name and by
address works), I'd suspect spyware.

Start by downloading each of the following additional free tools:
AdAware <http://www.lavasoftusa.com/>
CWShredder <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html>
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearch (v1/v2) MiniRemoval
<http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4113.html>
HijackThis <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155>
LSP-Fix and WinsockXPFix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>
Spybot S&D <http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>
Stinger <http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>

Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. AdAware and Spybot S&D have install routines - run them.
The other downloaded programs can be copied into, and run from, any convenient
folder.

First, run Stinger. Have it remove any problems found.

Next, close all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, and run
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearchMiniRemoval, then CWShredder. Have the latter fix all
problems found.

Next, run AdAware. First update it ("Check for updates now"), configure for
full scan (<http://www.lavahelp.com/howto/fullscan/>), then scan. When scanning
finishes, remove all Critical Objects found.

Next, run Spybot S&D. First update it ("Search for updates"), then run a scan
("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and delete everything ("Fix Problems")
that is displayed in Red.

Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>
<http://www1.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/prevent.php>

Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following security forums (and please post a link to your forum posts, here):
Aumha: <http://forum.aumha.org/index.php>
Net-Integration: <http://forums.net-integration.net/>
Spyware Info: <http://forums.spywareinfo.com/>
Spyware Warrior: <http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php>
Tom Coyote: <http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>

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/

Block Internet Explorer ActiveX scripting from hostile websites (Restricted
Zone).
<https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/main.htm> (IE-SpyAd)

Block known dangerous scripts from installing.
<http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html>

Block known spyware from installing.
<http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html>

Make sure that the spyware detection / protection products that you use are
reliable:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

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 (merge / eliminate duplicate entries) with:
eDexter <http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html>
Hostess <http://accs-net.com/hostess/>

Secure your operating system, and applications. Don't use, or leave activated,
any accounts with names or passwords with trivial (guessable) values. Don't use
an account with administrative authority, except when you're intentionally doing
administrative tasks.

Use common sense. Yours. Don't install software based upon advice from unknown
sources. Don't install free software, without researching it carefully. Don't
open email unless you know who it's from, and how and why it was sent.

Educate yourself. Know what the risks are. Stay informed. Read Usenet, and
various web pages that discuss security problems. Check the logs from the other
layers regularly, look for things that don't belong, and take action when
necessary.

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



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Constant svchost.exe application errors
    ... Spybot S&D has an install routine - run it. ... First update it ("Search for updates"), ... Spyware Info: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: 123Mania
    ... This is spyware. ... AdAware and Spybot S&D have install routines - run them. ... First update it ("Search for updates"), ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: How to reinstall ...
    ... I have Adaware, Spybot, MS ... > Start by downloading each of the following additional free tools - and download ... > AdAware, CWShredder, and Spybot S&D have install routines - run them. ... > Spyware Warrior: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.network_web)
  • Re: Web Page Colors
    ... Now that you've done the repair, you must access windows updates and install ... Make sure you disable any AV when installing Updates. ... Parasites, spyware malware basics: ... Virus Cleaner - free virus & worm removal tool ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: PLEASE HELP!!!!! Cannot get address line to accept addresses
    ... CoolWebSearch (if not, then see AdAware, SpyBot, and HijackThis, ... tabs and remove any restrictions that the parasite has put in place. ... Be sure that you also download and install hotfix Q816093, ... Spyware and Hijackware Removal Support, ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)

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