WARNING - Intelligent Explorer Virus

12/7/03 | TC

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

I sat dont at my station over an hour ago and responded to an Explorer upgrade option without thinking.

This ISN'T a normal option, it was simply a pop-up. Without thinking I responded to upgrade and downloaded a nightmare.

I have yet to break this.

It consists of an additional bar which creates a new home page, http://find.intelius.com with files I've deleted in addition to wwd.ieplugin[1] - and proceeds to iniate infinite pop-ups of EVERY type out of http://www.n-case.com.

ANYTHING internet related will be tattooed with the new bar. View - Toolbars - Intelligent Explorer" will eliminate the bar from your current page but each new one you bring up will require you to go through the process of removing it again.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

it wrecked my winsock registry keys and took 4 days to wipe out. stay away from that!

[GummyIII]

Does SpyBot work on it?

[visualops]

responded ... without thinking

99.9% of the reasons people end up with problems such as virii, trojans, and spyware/advertising crap like you experienced.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I also got something that changed my homepage.

When I go in and chage it back to FreeRepublic [what else?], my preferred download lasts only until the next time I load the browser when I am returned to this other homepage which is the new default.

Any suggestions?

[Indie]

You'll have to remove it in registry, but I would not attempt to tell you how to do that here.

[mhking]

Get ahold of "Hijack This", which will examine all your registry entries and give you the option of removing anything that automatically.

The freeware program can be found (along with details) at http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/.

[chilepepper]

An excellent alternative to "Spybot" is "Ad-aware" -- a free version can be found at www.lavasoft.de

[martin_fierro]

FREE PC PROTECTION: (Not an exhaustive list. Your results may vary. Void where prohibited. For entertainment purposes only. No wagering, please. Whattayawantfernuthin'.)

Alternative browsers: Mozilla Opera AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition: Free anti-viral protection Popup ad killers: Bayden Systems Popup Popper: Blocks popup ads well in MSIE Shoot the Messenger: Close that friggin' Messenger in Windows XP Spyware removers: Spybot S&D AdAware MailWasher: Good for pre-screening & bouncing SPAM Windows Update: At least install the critical ones ZoneAlarm: Excellent Firewall Test your firewall from without with ShieldsUP! Test your firewall from within with LeakTest

[Jeff Gordon]

Any suggestions?

Switch to Mozilla Firebird.

It is free, fast, pop-up free, virus resistant and simply better than all the rest.

[witnesstothefall]

An excellent alternative to "Spybot" is "Ad-aware"

I use them both, in conjunction. Each will occasionally find something the other missed. And both are freeware.

[Holly_P]

When I go in and chage it back to FreeRepublic [what else?], my preferred download lasts only until the next time I load the browser when I am returned to this other homepage which is the new default

Same thing here. My home page goes to "about blank" whatever that is. Every time I reboot I have to change it back. Would appreciate a solution to this problem.

[commish]

Intelligent Explorer is spyware that has attached itself to your computer, you will need to download and install SPYBOT or similiar spyware removal software to get rid of it.

Check out This Link for instructions and info.

Hope this helps

[Vision]

I've had the upgrade window pop up about 4 times in the last two days.

[Petronski]

[matrix2225]

Get your self AVG antivirus. As for that you will need to change registry settings. IE keeps track with two main things: Internet Temporary Files and cookies. Also, if you use XP, type msconfig and go to startup options. You will find more services running in the backround then you need.

[arasina]

I was notified today of an update popup attempt but my FREE personal firewall from Sygate prompted me in advance so I responded "NO" to downloading. Thank goodness for that, because I checked the MS Critical Update site and there were no new ones.

Isn't it awful having to put so many locks on the creeps trying to break into our computers? I have RegCleaner, AntiVir, Sygate Personal Firewall, PopUp Stopper and Spybot.

My boyfriend keeps suggesting that I start using Opera instead of MS Internet Explorer as he uses a copy he downloaded free and thinks I'd like it. He told me he saw a John (F'n) Kerry anti-Bush ad at the top of the browser today so that did it for me. I'm not going to the Opera!

[TheBattman]

SpyBot and AdAwaire are what you need...

[Free Trapper]

I really am computer illiterate(better now).Except for the browsers and Shoot the Messenger(don't "think" it works on W98)I've had those links all working together for a while now and really like them.

Installed them without help(took my time,couple of tries on a couple)and I learned more about the computer by following the easy instructions than I ever knew before.:)

Since I put them in the puter,I've got "so" much more confidence playing with this thing.

Big Thanks!!!

Now-how to type?;O)

[righthand man]

book mark