Very strange problems with interne

JamesAdler · 08-06-2005, 01:56 AM

Alright... awful strange crap happening here. I was attacked by spyware, so I went through Greyhaven's steps using Adaware, spybot, Microsoft's cleaner, and a-squared. I didn't think I did anything harmful or out of the ordinary, but now some crap's fucked up when I run programs. FOR INSTANCE:

-Although Google Toolbar is recognized by programs as a BHO, it doesn't appear on my browser screen.

-When opening an IM window on AIM it tells me there is an error and AIM needs to shut down.

-When trying to pull down address bar, internet browser fails.

I haven't been able to figure out why yet, and I'm actually surprised I got here... Buuuut if you can think of anything, be my guest.

Greyhaven · 08-07-2005, 12:46 AM

Lose Google toolbar.

I loved it and lived by it until it started to cause serious issues with PCs at work. Once the toolbar was uninstalled the PCs acted normal.

In its place, use a program called no-ad. It is a bit more cumbersome, but more effective.

Unistall all AOL products - reboot - reinstall each product.
AOL is a pain in the arse. The way it writes to the .DLLs is not normal. This causes the Dlls to corrupt after time.

If you are using IE for a browser then the .exe file has been corrupted. Do a windows update and clean out your registry as best you can.

*please be careful what you delete while in the registry.

If this all fails, let me know and we will work from there.

StrangeWill · 08-07-2005, 01:53 AM

you can write to DLL files? Hmm... I've been programming in VB, never really knew that... would be pretty handy....

That has to do with being object oriented though right?

JamesAdler · 08-09-2005, 02:54 PM

So even though I can fully surf the web, just without clicking my address bar, the .exe is corrupted? That blows.

By the way, are you thinking that these 3 problems I mentioned are unrelated? I kinda figured it might be the same thing, since they all happened at the same time after I did all the scanning.

Annnnnnd I don't exactly know how to 'clean out my registry' other than the stuff you've outlined in your spyware guide.

Greyhaven · 08-10-2005, 10:32 PM

The problems are related.

.exe corrupt was an improper way to say what I meant.

Every .exe file has dependances on .dll files. If a Dll becomes coruppt then the .exe stops functioning the correct way. It may still function but you will see some flaws.

Cleaing the registry.

Open the registry
You will see 5 headings on the left side.

Click on the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to expand the tree.

Expand the Software heading

Delete any and all headings that are programs you no longer have installed or are malicious.

Do the above sets after you have unistalled AOL products and have done a complete malware clean.

If this doesn't fix the issue let me know.

Soulfire · 08-11-2005, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Lose Google toolbar.

I loved it and lived by it until it started to cause serious issues with PCs at work. Once the toolbar was uninstalled the PCs acted normal.

In its place, use a program called no-ad. It is a bit more cumbersome, but more effective.

or even better: Firefox already comes with a built in 'Google toolbar' and it stops ads like no other.

08-06-2005, 01:56 AM	#1
JamesAdler sprankton. a noun. Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: WA Posts: 2,906	Very strange problems with interne Alright... awful strange crap happening here. I was attacked by spyware, so I went through Greyhaven's steps using Adaware, spybot, Microsoft's cleaner, and a-squared. I didn't think I did anything harmful or out of the ordinary, but now some crap's fucked up when I run programs. FOR INSTANCE: -Although Google Toolbar is recognized by programs as a BHO, it doesn't appear on my browser screen. -When opening an IM window on AIM it tells me there is an error and AIM needs to shut down. -When trying to pull down address bar, internet browser fails. I haven't been able to figure out why yet, and I'm actually surprised I got here... Buuuut if you can think of anything, be my guest.

08-07-2005, 12:46 AM	#2
Greyhaven Ready to go Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 4,221	Lose Google toolbar. I loved it and lived by it until it started to cause serious issues with PCs at work. Once the toolbar was uninstalled the PCs acted normal. In its place, use a program called no-ad. It is a bit more cumbersome, but more effective. Unistall all AOL products - reboot - reinstall each product. AOL is a pain in the arse. The way it writes to the .DLLs is not normal. This causes the Dlls to corrupt after time. If you are using IE for a browser then the .exe file has been corrupted. Do a windows update and clean out your registry as best you can. *please be careful what you delete while in the registry. If this all fails, let me know and we will work from there.

08-07-2005, 01:53 AM	#3
StrangeWill Run! Elite Poster Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Hixson, TN. USA Posts: 13,815	you can write to DLL files? Hmm... I've been programming in VB, never really knew that... would be pretty handy.... That has to do with being object oriented though right?

08-09-2005, 02:54 PM	#4
JamesAdler sprankton. a noun. Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: WA Posts: 2,906	So even though I can fully surf the web, just without clicking my address bar, the .exe is corrupted? That blows. By the way, are you thinking that these 3 problems I mentioned are unrelated? I kinda figured it might be the same thing, since they all happened at the same time after I did all the scanning. Annnnnnd I don't exactly know how to 'clean out my registry' other than the stuff you've outlined in your spyware guide.

08-10-2005, 10:32 PM	#5
Greyhaven Ready to go Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Nashville, Tennessee Posts: 4,221	The problems are related. .exe corrupt was an improper way to say what I meant. Every .exe file has dependances on .dll files. If a Dll becomes coruppt then the .exe stops functioning the correct way. It may still function but you will see some flaws. Cleaing the registry. Open the registry You will see 5 headings on the left side. Click on the plus sign next to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE to expand the tree. Expand the Software heading Delete any and all headings that are programs you no longer have installed or are malicious. Do the above sets after you have unistalled AOL products and have done a complete malware clean. If this doesn't fix the issue let me know.