Posted on 12/07/2003 7:20:55 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
I used Ad-Aware 6.0. It's Freeware and it got rid of that nasty little toolbar and all of the pop-ups I was getting.
Actually, clicking the "X" is the same as clicking "No" or "Yes". I'm proof of that. These bastards download no matter what you click or don't click, making it illegal and making them criminals.
A good way to prevent such attacks is to set your ActiveX controls higher, preventing these types of silent installations. It won't catch them all (mainly because jerkoff hackers live for the challenge of bypassing all security), but it will stop the majority of them.
FYI: simply removing registry entries doesn't always cut it. You have to go uninstall from your Add/Remove Programs utility, then go to your Program Files and delete the programs and all their associated files, then delete the registry entries, then unclick the MSCONFIG entries, then go to your Windows folder and locate all the backup .dll files that annoyingly reinstall the program when you reboot. Make sure you empty your recycling bin before you reboot, because the files can still reinstall from there. Hackers think of everything!
bump for later
Actually this is freeware but they use a sneaky way to get you to use it. you can have it removed by going to their website at www.ieplugin.com an choosing the link to remove it. The only bad part is they insist you tell them why you don't want it after they remove it. I gave them an earfull about sneaking their program on my computer disguised as part of the mmorpg I was playing. I checked with the game company and they did not authorize that download.
Go to My Computer/properties/hardware/device manager and uninstal your network card. Run AdAware, Spybot and Spyware Blaster. Reboot. Allow Windows to reinstall networking. You may need the Windows CD.
If you use Windows XP, try to do a System Restore to a saved point before you were infected.
M O Z I L L A
I somehow downloaded this stupid plugin, also. But, alas, there is an actual uninstall utility.
Go here to get this stuff off your computer:
http://www.ieplugin.com/uninstall.html
Hell yesterday I responded to the free aquarium screenshot download on Weather.Com and before I realized my mistake it changed my home page, added 4 programs and installed a persistent dll. Took me 45 minutes to clean everything up.
The NWS search engine that advertises on Drudge will hijack your browser..
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.