Browsers deny access or send to wrong sites

[wingreen]

Oh - sounds bad. I changed all my relevant passwords (from a clean PC) when I realised there was problem (and have checked that nothing untoward has been happening with my financial accounts).

I appreciate your help and the time you have put into it. I'm guessing that (as it seems to be in quite a mess) it won't be cheap to get professional repair so it might make more sense for me to scrap it and buy another. Although I might be tempted to try a "reformat and re-installation" - but I'm assuming that's relatively straighforward and that I can get advice on that from an ordinary "how to" site.

Thanks again anyway.

[wingreen]

Don't want to pester you but, just to check - I'm going to explore the option of reformatting/reinstalling (I made a "back up" on my external hard disk before I got these problems). All I have are the Product Recovery CD Roms and/or (I think) a recovery partition (?) on my internal hard disk.
Should I explore which and how to do this here with you? or go to another forum that focuses on that sort of thing (rather than malware)?

Thanks

[Dakeyras]

Hi.

The below tutorials for the process are excellent for advising the exact procedure:-

How to Reformat and Reinstall your Operating System

Windows XP - Reformat And Re-Install Guide

what programs will i have to find and restore to it?

Below is some advice about what to install/safety advice after the format and the reinstallation of the Windows operating system.

Reformat and Reinstallation Advice:

This is a excellent resource I recommend reading:- How to prevent Malware

• Use an Anti Virus Software - It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future.
  Here are some free Anti Virus programs which I recommend to use:
  
  • Antivir PersonalEditionClassic
    
    • Free anti-virus software for Windows.
    • Detects and removes more than 50,000 viruses. Free support.
  • avast! Home Edition
    
    • • Anti-virus program for Windows.
      • The home edition is freeware for noncommercial users.
  • Update your Anti Virus Software - It is imperative that you update your Anti virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
  • Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly.
    Here are some free Firewalls which I recommend to use:
    (Use only one, and disable your Windows Firewall)
    
    • Sunbelt Kerio
    • Outpost
    • Jetico Personal Firewall
  Note: Only ever have installed/use one Anti-Virus application and Software Firewall. Otherwise a system conflict will occur and this also lessens overall online protection!
  
• Keep your system updated- Microsoft releases patches for Windows and other products regularly:
  
  • I advise you visit: http://update.microsoft.com/microsof....aspx?ln=en-us
  • Install the Active X
  • Once installed it will advise set Auto-Updates if not set and you then you will be able to manually check for updates also via:
  • Start >> All Programs >> Microsoft Updates
• Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
  
  • From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  • Click once on the Security tab
  • Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  • Click once on the Custom Level button.
    
    • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
    • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
    • Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
    • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
    • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
    • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
    • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
    • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  • Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - Download it from here
  The tutorial on how to use MBAM is located here
• Install WinPatrol - Download it from here
  You can find information about how WinPatrol works here
• Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
  Download it from here
  The tutorial on how to use Spyware Blaster is located here
• Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Importance of Regular System Maintenance:

I advice you read both of the below listed topics as this will go a long way to keeping your Computer performing well after the format and the reinstallation of the Windows operating system.

Help! My computer is slow!

Also so is this:

What to do if your Computer is running slowly

[wingreen]

OK, thanks for getting back to me and thanks for all your help

[wingreen]

Sorry - just before I go (!). You mentioned earlier possibility that hard drive had a recovery partition (?). When I boot the infected CD, I get an option to "Press F10 to start recovery" (this comes up for a couple seconds after Boot from CD? and before it moves onto the black screen).
Will Pressing F10 help me to recover from hard disk?

[Dakeyras]

Aye it may very well do and at this stage I see no harm what so ever investigating this particular avenue so to speak.

[Dakeyras]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad I could help.

Note: If it has been three days or more since your last post, and the helper assisting you posted a response to that post to which you did not reply, your topic will not be reopened. At that point, if you still require help, please start a new topic and include a fresh HijackThis log and a link to your previous thread.

If it has been less than three days since your last response and you need the thread re-opened, please send me or your helper a private message (pm). A valid, working link to the closed topic is required.