Re: IE Redirection to ar.atwola.com Ad Server, then Locks-up

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

From: Don Varnau (don_04[at]varnau[dot]org)
Date: 10/10/04 

Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 07:35:07 -0500

Hi,
Atwola.com isn't necessarily delivering spyware or other malware- just ads.
A few things you might try- based on a google search.

Clear the IE cache. IE> Tools> Internet Options> General> Delete
files (and delete offline content.) It's often recommended that the TIF
folder be kept at about 50 MB (Settings.)

Remove suspicious objects from Downloaded Program Files. Internet Options>
General> TIF> Settings> View Objects.

Disable suspicious BHOs with BHODemon
http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm

Put atwola.com in your HOSTS file. http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/

Check to see if Norton Internet Security, another security program, a HOSTS
file, etc is causing the problem. Disable those programs (briefly- as a
test.) If the problem goes away, try reinstalling that program, or checking
settings/config to see if a setting needs to be changed.

I've seen messages indicating that AdSubtract has caused problems with CNN
sites.

Those Google hits:
http://computercops.biz/postt15114.html
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=43940
http://www.outpostfirewall.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-4826.html

Hope this helps,
Don 

-- 
MVP IE/OE
Please reply to the newsgroup so that others may participate.
"Nemo" <Nemo[at]discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:81DB5AEB-06F5-4514-BD17-FAE8B124E377@microsoft.com...
> Several of us have been stricken with a weird malady.  After visiting
CNN.COM
> our IE v6.x browser now locks up and asks us to send an error report to
> Microsoft.  I suspect Malware, but have used numerous Spyware programs;
> AdAware, SpyBot, Pest Patrol, Startup Cop Pro, etc... to no avail.  It is
now
> affecting our access to internal IP addresses, not only Public IP
addresses.
>
> Does anyone know what would cause this...?

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