Re: Spurious URLs being inserted into IE "Back" list

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

"Jim Byrd" <jrbyrd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:OV8YTJVYFHA.3836@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Hi Frank - "I am extremely careful about viruses, trojans, spyware,
> adware,
> and other
> malware on my system."
>
> That may be true, but you also have a malware problem. :) See my Blog,
> link in Signature below, for some basic removal steps and preventive
> measures that you can take.

Thanks for the pointer. I'm going through it now -- although there's a LOT
to read. Perhaps you can help me "zone in" a little more quickly on where I
can focus my attention, if I give you a little more detail about what I mean
by being "extremely careful".

I run the Trend Micro PC-Cillin Security Suite -- not because I dislike
Norton or McAfee, but because it's consistently rated as the best and most
secure available. (I also have the Windows XP firewall enabled -- for
whatever that's worth.) My security settings are fairly high -- higher than
"default", but not set to the max (simply because that basically disables
many things I want/need to do). I run a HOSTS Manager utility that
constantly monitors my HOSTS file -- and that file is already about 300KB,
listing virtually every domain known to be a "problem".

I run Spybot Search & Destroy, along with its TeaTimer application, not only
to find/fix malware, but also to monitor my Registry (and prevent
unanticipated changes). I also run Ad-Aware regularly. However, once
again, since I know that even these two only catch about 30% of the
"baddies" (based on several independent studies), I really rely more on
Sunbelt CounterSpy (and, alternately, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, which is
basically the same program -- using the Giant anti-spyware engine). And I
also use SpyBlaster to "set my defenses" regularly, so to speak.

All of the above utilities are monitored regularly for updates (and I mean
"regularly" -- in the case of my Trend Micro suite, it updates every 3
hours). You could probably say that I'm paranoid about the security of my
system. But I know the dangers, and try to avoid them as much as possible.

For a time, I was even running Zone Alarm Pro (which I rate quite highly),
but it became too much -- I was getting conflicts between the "security"
apps that were too much to live with, and I let Zone Alarm go. I also
periodically run one or more of the online scanners -- although I know
they're not quite as robust. I've also tried PestPatrol, and a few other
similar utilities.

So, given the above... where do I look first? Can I "focus in" a bit on
what I should be looking for?

Oh, and one final question: if it really *is* some malware on MY system,
why does the problem (i.e., the insertion of "malware" URLs into my
browser's "Back" list) only seem to occur when I'm navigating some Web
sites, and not others?

Thanks in advance for any hints.
-----------------------------------------------------
Frank Nicodem
Mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Internet Explorer has encountered a problem and needs to close
    ... In addition to changing my IE setting to prevent downloads of third party ... BHO's (a suggestion I found in this group), I also reduced my privacy setting ... Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these ... Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: error when shutting off pc
    ... Thank you, Frank, for your help. ... Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these ... All MS-MVP Sites. ... Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: Cant turn off pop-up blocker
    ... Then either something you installed was causing it or you have a malware infection: ... All MS-MVP Sites. ... Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. ... Frank Saunders, MS-MVP OE/WM ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: application error when I shut down IE6
    ... If the numbers stay the same each time when that error comes up then Frank has put you on the right track with IE and one or more of your Add-ons ... Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these ... Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. ... Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM ...
    (microsoft.public.windows.inetexplorer.ie6.browser)
  • Re: [Full-Disclosure] Wiretap or Magic Lantern?
    ... that today's keystroke-logging remote-controllable malware does. ... super-duper system that monitors all the world's Internet, satellite, ... some automatic keyword search or what have you run against all that data. ... border-crossing stations when they say: ...
    (Full-Disclosure)