How can I undo the damage done by downloading IE7?

Question

HELP !! I downloaded IE7 and now my computer is infected with crap that not even Norton can get out.

Answer 1

Do you have a system restore on your computer? If you do, you can go back to where your were before you download IE7.

Answer 2

Isn't MS wonderful!!!!!!!!! Anyhoo follow the directions below to remove the problems. Then go to start->control panel->add remove programs->at the top check "show updates",->scroll down in the list->you will see IE7 listed, uninstall that, restart and you will be back at IE6. Then download Firefox and stop using IE to browse the internet. When you go online just open Firefox & not IE. If your internet provider only works with IE... fine... fire it up with IE & then minimize IE & open Firefox to surf. Firefox is way safer to surf with than IE & gives you a minimal browser to start with & you can add the extensions you want to customize it to how you surf.... Not the tools and options IE thinks you want.


Install a good virus protection suite & update it. Pc cillen by trendmicro is a good one & has a free online scan that also removes problems. AVG has a free version for download. Avast is another great free one.

Then start your pc in safe mode (depending on pc type this is usually a different key combination), generally as soon as you turn on the pc you hit the key combination F8 and choose safe mode. Don't be scared, it's supposed to look this weird. Safe mode runs the bare minimum, which is why you want to remove problem programs in it, they can't hide in safe mode like they can during normal start up. Then run your virus software. This should remove it. If not completely then you need to go to the trendmicro or symantec web site for further instructions. & try hitting it with the programs I listed below.

For future reference:

Always make sure your Window’s is completely updated, along with Office and Internet Explorer (if you insist on using it – version 6 is the worst so far for known issues).

Use a firewall, zone alarm is free & pretty user friendly. & get the following products.

Get Spybot Search & Destroy by Patrick Kolla Great free program for finding spyware. Don't be cheap, give the guy a donation.

Ad aware by lavasoft is free for personal use.

www.ewido.net - free after 30 days, limitation is that you have to manually update.

www.superantispyware.com is free.

& dump Internet Explorer. It's got more holes than swiss cheese. Get firefox, it has some really great add on extensions that block scripts, pop-up's & more ... & it's free. Depending on how you access the internet (some programs like Yahoo dsl, & Netzero try to force you to use Internet Explorer) just click on your Firefox icon to surf the web not Internet Explorer.

You can stop most programs from loading by using "msconfig". It's not on XP so you have to download it from a site such as perfectdrivers. Most programs beyond firewalls and virus protection do not need to run at start up. It's too bad that "Blackvipers" site is still down. He had an incredible list of how to stop unwanted and unneeded services in 2k & XP from running & slowing pc down. It is however still being posted on sites, so google his name.

Hijack this is a great program to see what programs are doing on your pc. Generally, you don’t need most of those programs. Hijack this has a lot of information about what is safe to disable & what is not safe. In general, you don’t need the vast majority beyond programs that have to run at start up, your web browser page of choice, virus protection & firewall hooks.

Hope I helped. & don't forget --> Just because you have protection doesn't mean it will work if you don't keep it updated & run it once a week. Just think of all the time you'll save not trying to repair a virus infection! It’s a lot of information but once you run through it & play with it it’s pretty simple.

www.michaelhorowitz.com/removespyware.html

Answer 3

Kill Bill Gates. jk
Try other antivirus software or uninstall IE7 or uninstall Windows!

Answer 4

Well, can you provide more information? Where did you download IE 7? Did you install it or did you just downloaded it? What version of Windows OS do you use (e.g. Windows XP Pro)?