Spyware Killed Internet Explorer

[NewGuyTechie]

Our internet browser no longer works and causes the system to hang.

We are using Windows 2000 Server in Terminal Services, Application Server mode and Internet Explorer.

I've run AdAware & Spybot (with current definitions) to clean out our systems but even after running a full scan with both programs, there is still malware on our systems. I purchased AdAware Pro with AdWatch to block new infections but it isn't working...in addition, for many but not all user, Internet Explorer no longer works properly. You click to open it up and it takes all available processor cycles causing everything and everyone to come to a halt.

I've created new users in Active Directory and those users are unable to use internet explorer as well. I went back to the Quarantine for both Adaware & spybot to replace all removed items hopeing that would replace whatever was removed from IE. That did not do the trick. I installed Netscape and that works fine -- for now. Can anyone Help????

 

[winchester73]

Here are the settings that I use ... perhaps it will be a starting point for you. You may wish to make some adjustments once you get familiar with how Ad-Watch works.

Launch Ad-Aware, and click on the gear at the top, which will open the settings menu.

Under Ad-watch Settings / Activity:
Load Ad-watch at Windows start up: ON
Ad-watch window always on top: ON

Realtime Accuracy: HIGH PRIORITY

Under Memory/Registry:
Lock startup sections in registry: ON
Block possible browser hijack attempts: ON
Block suspicious processes: ON
Lock executable file associations: ON

Then,

Under the Tweaks Settings / Ad-Watch:
Deactivate Ad-watch during Ad-aware scans: ON
Completely reanalyze processes on change: OFF
Block ActiveX installlations: ON
Block IE save operations: ON
Block popups and banned sites: ON
Automatically pop up event log if event occurs: ON
Automatically save event log on close: ON
Log Ad-aware events: ON
Don't clear session event log on resetting statistics: ON

Then,
Under Automation / Startup Settings:
Ad-watch Startup
Start Ad-watch minimized: ON
Start Ad-watch in auto-blocking mode: OFF

A simple test to see if Ad-watch is working ...

After you have made the settings I suggested, try to download something from within Internet Explorer. It will be blocked, and the Event Log will to pop-up.

To return Ad-watch to the System Tray, make sure to click on the minimize (-) button rather than the close (X) button ...

This thread may help explain Ad-Watch: http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?act=ST&f=14&t=2935