How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking

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How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking

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All Forums >> [Security, AntiVirus, and Patching] >> Privacy Issues - Spyware, Adware, etc. >> How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking

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How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking - 7/11/2004 9:03:26 AM

hwaldron

Posts: 3532
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Joined: 9/12/2002
From: Roanoke VA, USA
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The article below shares tips on repairing IE if the browser has been hijacked (a term meaning that the user can no longer control the home page or aggressive pop-up activity).

How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking
http://techrepublic.com.com/5100-6270_11-5034307.html

The key recommended steps are in this order (where you would take the “next step“ if a cleaning process still doesn' t correct the underlying issues).

1. AntiVirus Cleaning -- Update your AV product to the latest scanning engine and virus definitions. Scan your entire hard drive and remove items with your AV product or free cleaning tools available at many sites.

2. AdAware and SpyBot Search & Destroy -- Both of these free cleaning tools are excellent. Use Google to find sites where you can download each product and update them to the latest available definitions each time you run.

3. CWS Shredder, HijackThis, and Filemon/Regmon Analysis -- This next step requires a lot of technical expertise as Windows file and registry activity must be carefully analyzed.

Dutch security expert Merjin has developed some great tools
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
http://www.google.com/search?&q=merjin

I' m impressed with the security expertise of several moderators who analyze and share findings on how to correct IE hijacking issues.

Bleeping Comuters - see HighjackThis Log Analysis forum
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php

Sysinternals - Regmon / Filemon (monitors registry/file activity)
http://www.sysinternals.com/

4. Reinstallation of Internet Explorer -- As a last resort sometimes IE or even Windows itself will require reinstallation. Always remember to apply critical patches before reconnecting to the Internet. Then immediately perform a Windows Update to better protect your newly reinstalled environment.

How to repair or reinstall Internet Explorer if needed
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;318378

< Message edited by hwaldron -- 7/11/2004 9:12:21 AM >

_____________________________

Harry Waldron - Security News & Best Practices Blog

Post #: 1

RE: How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking - 7/12/2004 10:21:21 AM 1 votes

rporter

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If you are still having trouble, the guys at http://computercops.biz will let you upload an HijackThis log and analyze it for you. QUite the helpful bunch.

< Message edited by rporter -- 7/12/2004 10:21:51 AM >

(in reply to hwaldron)

Post #: 2

RE: How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking - 7/12/2004 7:47:12 PM

hwaldron

Posts: 3532
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Joined: 9/12/2002
From: Roanoke VA, USA
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Thanks for sharing an additional site for spyware analysis.

_____________________________

Harry Waldron - Security News & Best Practices Blog

(in reply to hwaldron)

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RE: How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking - 7/29/2004 12:19:17 PM 1 votes

jbouman

Posts: 14
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Joined: 2/13/2003
From: The Netherlands
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But Harry, how could you forget two of the most important websites?

Check these:

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites

Part of the MVP website: A Troubleshooting Guide to Windows XP

Another MVP site:
THE PARASITE FIGHT, which is part of: Windows Support Center

< Message edited by jbouman -- 7/29/2004 12:20:00 PM >

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Jurren Bouman

(in reply to hwaldron)

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RE: How to Recover from an Internet Explorer hijacking - 8/10/2004 9:12:00 AM

hwaldron

Posts: 3532
Score: 256
Joined: 9/12/2002
From: Roanoke VA, USA
Status: offline

Hi Jurren - Thanks for the additional links