How do I get rid of this certain spyware ?

Question

I have a dell. I am running windows xp home edition. I have run adware se and Mc Afee several times. I cannot access email , messenger or download a different browser. My home page was yahoo and is now safetytool.com. I cannot get rid of this or change it back. I need help, any info would be great !

I have run adware programs but they do not detect it. I have also did the run-msconfig-startup and there is not naythig out of the normal there. I cannot send off my emails or open my msn messenger. I also try to open some pages and this page pops back up randomly not just for my homepage.

Answer 1

Hi there,

I have actually just helped one of my friends remove this very same infection.

She downloaded the Free Trial of Prevx1 which scanned her computer and removed this and a couple of other infections on her PC that her other security programs had missed.

You can download their Free Trial from their homepage:
http://www.prevx.com

Answer 2

Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.
http://www.safer-networking.org/

http://superantispyware.com/
SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!
Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!
Make sure after you download any of these, that you update them.

*Be sure to come back to Yahoo Q&A and vote for one of the answers as best answer!

Answer 3

I suggest that you try to carryout system restore to a day previous to the day when there was no virus or any problems. It may be a few weeks or months back. You have to decide the date. Detailed instructions are posted at http://fixit.in/systemrestore.html
The problem is likely to be solved. Then,You insatll a standard antivirus soft ware such as Norton, AVG , Avast ( free antivirus software and Ad-aware, Ewido ( free spyware removers). You can download free softwares at
http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html

Answer 4

there are some cookies that you will find that renew themselves. I'm not exactly sure if this is your problem, but it definately sounds like it. But here's how you fix that:

go to: start-run-type in cmd (a black window should now appear)-type in ipconfig /release (there's a space between ipconfig and /release, this should release your ip address)-now go to: start-controll panel-open up internet options-in the middle there are two buttons-click on "delete cookies" and follow it's steps-now click on the one to the right that says "delete files"-check the box that says "delete all offline content".

Now see the tabs at the top? Go all the way right and click the one that says "programs", now click the button that says "reset web settings", choose the option that says "reset my home page". After doing that go to the advanced tab, and above the ok and cancel buttons there is a button that says restore defaults, click that, hit the ok button.

now just restart your pc =)

if you have any further problems, or that doesn't solve it, then feel free to email me so that I may walk you through more.

peace and love,
rob

Answer 5

Hmmm...
Try running the computer in Safe Mode by pressing F5 during start-up
If it works fine in Safe Mode, then in Run, type in "msconfig"
In the Startup tab, disable everything. Restart your computer and see if it works. If it does, find out which start up service is the culprit by turning on the processes half at a time, then half of that, etc.

After you find the spyware, then you can remove it (msconfig gives you the location of processes)

Good luck

Answer 6

Homepage hijackers are usually installed by a Trojan Horse. Generally they are installed by Trojans that fall into the Smitfraud family. Safetool is installed by a Smitfraud and requires a specialized Smitfraud removal program. These two site provide free programs and removal procedure. Use either site or both if needed.

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm

http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php

Answer 7

Internet security software is only good if it is constantly updated my dear now it sounds like you have a "browser helper" installed a BHO (browser helper object) pretty easy to trick these buggers.

Yeah it's no helper it's a pest.

http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/bhod/

BHODemon should help. To stop a BHO you just have to change the name of it's DLL file. If it can't find the DLL file it won't work. BHODemon will help you find the right file name to change.

Answer 8

Your computer most likely has a Smitfraud infection. You will need to use a specialized removal tool such as SmitFraudFix v2.111:
http://siri.urz.free.fr/Fix/SmitfraudFix_En.php
or
RogueFix:
http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm
To remove this pest.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Some spyware is almost impossible to get rid of.... I would recommend you use the xp restore options to take your system back to where you didn't have any problems...

It is located under accesories, system tools, restore

Answer 10

This is a free one from download dot com.

Ive used it for a few months, it works great.

http://www.download.com/3120-20_4-0.html?tg=dl-20&qt=advanced%20spyware&tag=srch