Ok, I don't use IE, but *someone* in my computer illiterate family does. That someone has been visiting shady websites (porn) and now their comp is all screwed up. We can't really let him know we know what sites he's visiting (talk about akward) but I do need a quick fix. In IE, when you go to tools/internet options in the first tab there is usually a homepage option. There used to be one in his also. Now there's not. I don't know what's up with that, and I don't use IE so I guess I won't find out on my own. So does anybody know if visiting crappy sites with cookies from hell can screw your actual browser up? His homepage was automatically set to some porn thing and we can't get it back to yahoo. *sigh* dumbass, and he blames verizon for his internet problems. Ok, thanks for listening and if you can help please do.
2006-08-17 15:03:28 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Please don't blame IE. I use IE all the time and have not had any problems. Of course, I also surf wise, have anti-spyware and anti=virus protection and keep all the Microsoft Critical updates up to date. Sounds to me like his browser GOT HIJACKED. and that is not an easy problem to rectify. Short of doing a total reformatting of the computer and I can't help you here, the only other thing I can suggest is that you try downloading an excellent program called spysweeper which is put out by Webroot. Two other free programs, ad-aware free and spybot are also very good but I don't think they can rid the computer of browser hijackers. That is one of the worst things that can happen. You can try to reset your homepage a 1,000 times and it will just keep going back to the porn site. Spysweeper is your only hope short of a reform mat. It cost $30 initially but is worth every penny. Good luck. Wish I could tell you more.
2006-08-17 15:19:55 · answer #1 · answered by Sicilian Godmother 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think cookies will do anything to your homepage, but other internet files can. There is a program called SUPERAnti-Spyware which will reset your homepage, at least, for IE. You can download it from http://www.download.com - just search for it. You could also download Yahoo! Central which protects your homepage.
If their computer is very messed up, you can always resort to a system restore, which will (as the name describes) restore the system completely to a previous date, including homepage, cookies, and most temporary files. Word documents, pictures, etc. that were recently made will not be deleted, so no worries there. To run System Restore, click Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Restore. You can even undo the restore if it doesn't solve things.
2006-08-17 15:17:53 · answer #2 · answered by arvarnau 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK FIRST tell him he will go blind for playing with himself! second tell him to buy DVD's if he has to and NOT TO TOURTURE his computer anymore! He has a browser hijacker and will not be getting his browser under controll any time soon unless he or YOU find out what hijacker he has, run Norton or whatever antivirus you have and also try running an online spyware killer. there might be the option of downloading IE from microsoft and then removing it from windows components and then reinstalling it or making him upgrade to beta 7 for the time being. OR there is my STOCK answer RELOAD!
Hope this helped.
2006-08-17 15:20:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try these:
Run the tool and then download the free spyware and virus protection programs:
Malicious virus removal tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Ad-Aware Free download:
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
AVG Download free
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1
Good Luck
Also, right click on the two pcs on taskbar and click on "application settings." Type in the home page you want it to default to and it will come up when you log on.
Download Yahoo Toolbar. It's got a good pop-up blocker.
Yahoo Toolbar:
http://toolbar.yahoo.com/
2006-08-17 15:19:10 · answer #4 · answered by phy333 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah actually by visiting porn sites sometimes they install spyware and such that will automatically reset your homepage sometimes even making it where you cannot change it back, you would have to go in and edit the registry but i am unsure of how to do th at
2006-08-17 15:11:28 · answer #5 · answered by misha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he probably has viruses and spyware,
run windows defender and ad-aware SE to clean the spyware.
2006-08-17 15:13:39 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋