Adware Problem

BlakeMP

Solid State Member
Messages
12
I've gotta come clean -- I'm not great with computers. I can turn it on, work my word processor and database, surf the net... but when it comes to the technical stuff, I'm frequently at a loss. So now I've got some sort of adware on my machine that I can't seem to shake and I was hoping you folks could help me.

Some time ago, I picked up something from somewhere that, every time I reboot my machine, resets my home page to some search, puts popups on every other page I visit all under the heading "Only the Best" and changes words on webpages into links to that search (for example: moving, franchise, vacation, etc.)

I installed the newest Spybot Search and Destroy I could find (1.3) and it finds and wipes out files called "CoolWWWSearch," but when I reboot, it's back again. Does anyone know exactly what I've got crudding up my machine and how I can get rid of it?

Oh yeah -- I'm running Windows XP.
 
I am new to this site, so first, allow me to introduce my self, my name Jay aka Big-J, I am from Orlando Florida.

Back on topic
first, install Ad-Aware, ad-aware is a free adware and spyware remover, it is very powerful.

second, I don't know who you are but just incase, don't go to any porn sites!

third, don't download anyfiles without knowing what they are!

finaly, don't ever use Internet Explorer again!
 
I've got Ad-Aware, I've USED Ad-Aware, Ad-Aware isn't catching it. Sorry, I should have said that.
 
Sounds like a Trojan; delete your System-Restore Points and then stop System Restore all together. Then do Ad-Aware and Delete everything it comes up with; then use Spybot - then turn the computer off and on again (not reset). Tell us what is does then.

Big-J said:
finaly, don't ever use Internet Explorer again!

Ha; I've hardly ever used anything but Internet Explorer and I've never had a bad virus! What's wrong with Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 then?
 
Lord Kalthorn said:
Sounds like a Trojan; delete your System-Restore Points and then stop System Restore all together.

(And here's the part where I prove how ignorant I actually am...) How do I do that part, exactly?
 
Haha; ok:

Control Panel -> System -> System Restore Tab -> Then switch System Restore off -> Restart System -> Run Adaware -> Delete all Adware Files -> Run Spybot SearchandDestroy -> Delete anything that comes up -> Switch off Computer -> Switch Computer on -> Check Homepage

I hope that works; can never be sure.
 
Ugh. I gave it a shot, but the stuff came back. Thanks anyway.

The two files that come back every time I reboot are CoolWWWSearch.msrh and CoolWWSearch.008k. I'm fairly certain those are the problems, because when I destroy them the problems are gone from my internet browser, but they keep coming back whenever I reboot. I can't figure out where they're hiding to get rid of 'em once and for all, though.
 
Adware and spyware

Im a computer tech and have to get rid of this crap all the time for my customers. goto

Adware and Spyware

Links to keeping windows tight

Sounds like you have the mashta.exe on your computer

try searching your hardrive for the above file -if you find it delete it.

by hitting alt cntrl del and seeing if you have any .exe running which seem unrelated to windows you then know what to search your harddisk for.

Ramping up the security settings on your explorer helps eliminate most unwanted spyware or adware- you will just have to tolerate tons of windows asking for permission to download.
 
Did a search -- nothing with "mashta" in it.

I've got several .exe files running, but I don't know how to tell which are good and which I can get rid of. How can I figure that out?
 
boy theres alot of people online here at once-First click on the link above and goto this other board-download spybot spyblaster and adaware-install and run them all through your whole harddrive. Delete all the stuff they find. Then try this open the explore go to tools the options select view and check the boxes where you can see everything- turn on hidden system files and show all files-then try searching for the two .exe I say to look for in the message forum.


By the way if you have downloaded alot of programs and installed them like kazza or some games or gator- these programs have auto redirects built into them-you have to unistall them and then run the spyware checkers to eliminate the problem-if all else fails save your data reformat and reinstall.
 
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