Ok, here is a tough one or two...maybe.  When I visit particular sites
(i.e. hiexpress.com and overstock.com) I am able to get to the front
page of the site but when I click internal links for the site I get a
Microsoft Error message that says a problem has occured and needs to
shut down.  It also gives me the opportunity to send a note to MS to
tell them of the problem, which I do, but have never gotten a
response.

Secondly, I have Google set as my start page.  However, once I leave
the Google page I get a message from my SPYSWEEPER telling me that my
homepage has been changed and do I want to keep the change.  I always
click "no" and Google is then restored.  Why does this happen?  How
does this other search website switch me to it, and away from Google? 
Helpppppp!

By the way, these problems are fairly new.  I have installed all MS
Explorer updates and have not added any new programs.

---

Request for Question Clarification by hummer-ga on 24 Apr 2004 16:26 PDT

Hi thelonemonk,

Could you please run the following programs (in the order that I have
them)? The chances are good that your computer has picked up something
nasty along the way.

1) HouseCall (very thorough online virus scan):
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

2) CWShredder (update before running):
http://www.spychecker.com/program/coolwebshredder.html

3) Adaware (update before running):
http://www.spychecker.com/program/adaware.html

4) HijackThis (update before running):
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

Post your HijackThis log on the following forum:
Spyware and Hijackware Removal Support:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/

Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks,
hummer

---

Clarification of Question by thelonemonk-ga on 25 Apr 2004 06:18 PDT

Hummer:

It looks like your suggested fixes have worked!  I was able to access
hiexpress.com and peruse the site with no problem.  Additionally, it
appears that no program is trying to "hijack" my Google start page!

Post this as your answer and collect your reward...and a tip!  

Thanks...

TL Monk

Dear TL Monk,

Thank you for the good news! There really are alot of bugs out there
these days and it isn't hard to pick one or two up. Following are
three good links which explain what spyware is and how to prevent
getting infected again. Also, it's a good idea not to rely on just one
virus scan (especially if you are using IE and Outlook) - use
HouseCall as part of your regular maintenance schedule. Another
preventative option is to switch to another browser, such as Mozilla
(it's what I use and I'm very happy with it).

Mozilla:
http://www.mozilla.org/

Inside Spyware:
http://www.intranetjournal.com/spyware/

Spyware Removal Software:
http://www.intranetjournal.com/spyware/removal.html#scansoft

Spyware Prevention Software:
http://www.intranetjournal.com/spyware/preventsoft.html

Thank you, TL Monk - wishing you happy and trouble-free browsing,
hummer

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hi thelonemonk,

Could you please run the following programs (in the order that I have
them)? The chances are good that your computer has picked up something
nasty along the way.

1) HouseCall (very thorough online virus scan):
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

2) CWShredder (update before running):
http://www.spychecker.com/program/coolwebshredder.html

3) Adaware (update it before running):
http://www.spychecker.com/program/adaware.html

4) HijackThis:
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

Post your HijackThis log on the following forum:
Spyware and Hijackware Removal Support:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/

Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks,
hummer

Thanks so much for the help.  I've been fighting this problem for a
few weeks and you solved it in less then 12 hours!

Dear TL Monk - You are very kind - thank you for you nice notes,
rating, and tip - all are appreciated.  Sincerely, hummer