Some programs of way to help prevent it in the future:
Lockergnome Windows Digest] Electronic Toolbar and the Lovers
Date: 3/16/2003 1:44:12 PM Pacific Standard Time
IE Restrictions v1.0 [478k] W9x/2k/XP FREE
http://www.mywebattack.com/gnomeapp.php?id=105964
IE Restrictions allows you to disable certain modifications to
Internet Explorer. Many of them are commonly abused by invasive
Web sites that, for example, change your home page settings,
modify the toolbar, open pages in full- screen mode, and more.
Others are more of an administrative nature, allowing you to
disable the registry editor, page source viewing, and other
settings. [MWA]
MOSSBERGS'S MAILBAG WSJ
June 6, 2002
Software Can Prevent Porn Sites From Monopolizing Start Pages
By WALTER S. MOSSBERG
There's no other major item most of us own that is as confusing,
unpredictable and unreliable as our personal computers. Everybody has
questions about them, and we aim to help. Here are a few questions
about computers I've received recently from people like you, and my
answers. I have edited and restated the questions a bit, for
readability.
This week my mailbox contained questions about disabling malicious
porn site settings, finding a book about Windows XP and printing
directly from digital cameras.
Q: A gross porn site, apparently once visited by my teenage son, has
taken over my browser and installed itself as my start page. Every
time I launch Internet Explorer, this porn page appears, and it spawns
multiple other porn pages so fast I can't close them. Even if I go
into the settings menu and change the start page back to something I
want, the porn page overrides my choice the next time I reboot the PC.
How can I get rid of it?
A: Porn sites aren't the only ones who try and take over your browser
by changing your start page, which is the Web page that appears first
whenever you launch Internet Explorer. Some sleazy marketing sites do
this, too. These sites install malicious code on your PC, some of
which controls the browser start page setting, overriding your own
selections.
But I have found a free program to be very effective in blocking such
sabotage. It's called StartPage Guard and was developed by a
programmer named Piotr J. Walczak. The program not only kills
malicious code and allows you to restore your favorite start page, but
it can automatically check to make sure your choice isn't overridden
again. You can download StartPage Guard at
www.download.com (search for "start page") or at http://pjwalczak.com/
Lockergnome Windows Digest] Superimposed Symphony and the Aliasing
Date: 7/5/2003 4:37:19 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Browser Hijack Blaster v1.0 [393k] W98/2k/XP FREE
Browser Hijack Blaster protects your system from browser hijackers
and spyware that alters your Internet Explorer settings. It runs
in the system tray and silently monitors the settings for IE
Homepage, IE Default Page, IE Search Page, and BHOs (Browser
Helper Objects). If any of these settings are changed, it will
intercept and warn you, giving you the option to undo the changes.
[MWA]
http://www.mywebattack.com/gnomeapp.php?id=106649
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/bhblaster.html
***********************************************************************
[Lockergnome Windows Digest] SIC 2003 Special Edition
Date: 8/6/2003 4:01:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time
Secure IE 2003 [3.9MB] W9x/NT/2k/XP US$29.95
The name of this software says it all (well, almost). Secure IE
offers advanced protection from JavaScript, ActiveX controls, and
VB Script, as well as effectively blocking malicious file
downloads. Secure IE offers control over browser security
settings, allowing you full access to trusted sites, while
eliminating the potential nasties found on unknown sites. Pop-up
blocking technology offers built-in elimination of annoying offer
messages. Automatic configuration options let you lock down the
most vulnerable portions of your browser in seconds. Tabbed
browsing rounds out my favorite features of Secure IE,
complimenting security enhancements with this required usability
booster. This app is a must have for anyone who wants to secure
their computer from browsing nasties or just wants to protect the
corporate network from outside threats.
.
http://www.secureie.com/
WinPatrol 5.2
Supports Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, NT and XP
·
· Detect if your default Home Page has been hijacked.
Message #: 291886From: J RAMSent: 8/29/2003 1:32 PM
A. DAVY...this is the I've seen,and it does a-lot more things
including stopping worms and spyware.. it's free
http://www.winpatrol.com/
To prevent spyware from downloading into your computer, do not allow
Install on Demand in the IE settings. With Internet Explorer open, go
to Tools > Options > Advanced. Uncheck the two Enable Install on
Demand options |
