unwanted links added to browser

[larry_373]

I keep getting un-wanted links added to my browser, is there any way to block those?

Is there some program one can install to prevent this?

I would appreciate anyone's help or comments.

Thanks

Larry_373

 

[Huon]

You may have a hitchhiker, Have you tried Spybot?
http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/ssd14.exe
Download it, run it, using the online button, update it, then check for problems. Fix any problems marked in red.

 

[larry_373]

Thanks Huon for your suggestion, I have Ad-aware installed and I run that, it removes the files but they always come back the very next day.

I have a couple of teenage grandsons, who I think have been using my computer to visit some sites they ought not have, I never had this problem until then.

Is the Spybot program you mentioned a different type, or a better type of program?

I wanted to get back with you on this before I download it.

I really do appreciate your help.

Larry

 

[Huon]

I won't knock Adaware too much, and when they get their new version together I may consider using it again, but they haven't updated profiles in months. Spybot is faster, more powerful, (and you have to take more care) and up-to-date.
Try it.

http://forums.techguy.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=113474&highlight=adaware+vs+spybot
This thread may explain the situation.

 

[larry_373]

Thanks again Huon.

I will certainly give Spybot a try if you think it will help, I appreciate your help and suggestions.

Have a great day!

Larry

 

[Huon]

I suspect that spybot will solve your problems, and as long as your grandkids are using the computer occasionally, i would use it regularly. First time I ran it it killed a host of things Ad-Aware had missed. To be sure, after you have used it, a standard suggestion on this board is to go to http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads.php#startup , and download 'Startuplist'.

Unzip, doubleclick it, and it will generate a text file that will list all running processes, all applications that are loaded automatically when you start Windows, and more.

Go to Edit > select all, copy it and post the contents here.

Then someone more knowlegable than I can check if everything has been cleaned.

Good luck.

 

[TonyKlein]

Instead of Startuplist, let me propose this, which seems more appropriate for this particular case:

Go to http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads.php#det , and download 'Hijack This!'.
Unzip, doubleclick HijackThis.exe, and hit "Scan".

When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save Log" button.
Press that, save the log somewhere, and please show us its contents.

 

[larry_373]

Thanks Tony

I will certainly do what you suggest, it may be later on in the day before I start, I have been up all night and am about to fall asleep

I appreciate your help, and have a great day!

Larry

 

[TonyKlein]

No problem! Have a good night's sleep.

I can assure you we'll be able to help you get rid of this.

 

[flavallee]

Larry:

Are you talking about additional links being added to the TOOLS sub-menu of Internet Explorer? Those are easy to get rid of. It's just a matter of deleting a registry entry for that link.

Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - Software - Microsoft - Internet Explorer - Extensions. In the Extensions sub-menu, click each folder and read its MenuText entry in the right pane until you find the one that you want to delete. Once you do, right-click its folder, then click Delete - Yes. Close the registry, then reopen Internet Explorer. The link should now be gone from the TOOLS sub-menu.

(Note: Be real careful that you don't delete the entire Extensions folder by mistake)

Frank's Windows 95/98 Tips

 

[TonyKlein]

Frank,

Hijack This will even list and, if required, remove those for you, without the need of editing the Registry manually.