HEEEELP ! Internet Explorer 6, SP2 won't open !!

Hi guys ! Just the other days I received this message from MICROSOFT ANTISPYWARE:

Spyware Scan Details
Start Date: 16/12/2005 12:00:26 ðì
End Date: 16/12/2005 12:12:08 ðì
Total Time: 11 mins 42 secs

Detected Threats

Possible Hosts File Hijack Spyware more information...
Details: Possible Hosts File Hijack changes your Windows hosts file.
Status: Removed
High threat - High-risk items have a large potential for harm, such as loss of computer control, and should be removed unless knowingly installed.

Infected files detected
c:\windows\hosts

Infected folders detected
c:\windows\hosts

Detected Spyware Cookies
No spyware cookies were found during this scan.

Possible Hosts File Hijack

Type: Spyware
Software that collects information, such as the websites a user visits, without adequate consent. This may include installing without prominent notice or running without a clear method to disable.

Threat level: High
High-risk items have a large potential for harm, such as loss of computer control, and should be removed unless knowingly installed.

Description: Possible Hosts File Hijack changes your Windows hosts file.

© 2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

The next day I could not open the INTERNET EXPLORER. I tried to open it and it closed right away.

I have WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL & SERVICE PACK 2.

The next thing I noticed was that I could not copy DVDs or CDs.

The third error was the following:

WHEN I USED TO RESTART MY PC, A BLACK SCREEN WROTE IN WHITE LETTERS:

NTLDR IS MISSING.
PRESS CTRL + ALT + DEL TO RESTART.

With the Internet's (other sites help) I fixed these two last issues but I still CANNOT OPEN INTERNET EXPLORER AT ALL.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying hard not to format my new IBM PC !!! I read a few things and did them as the sites instructed, but nothing happened ...

???? CAN YOU HELP ME NOT TO DESTROY MY PC ?????

IMMEDIATE HELP KINDLY REQUIRED !!!!!!! ......

I hope that all of you will do magic for me as the previous times ....

Thanks,
Maggie

 

I tried to download and install the version found in Microsoft [ IE6, SP1 ], but the message I got was that the download could not be installed as I have the most recent version (I bought my PC last September).

Everybody told me that the reinstallation could not fix the problem .....

 

Well if ms antispy found problems i would go to the spyware forum and follow this guide: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
that should clean out the spyware problems and if anything is resisting to be removed post the problem and someone there will help you. Once they clear you of spyware please come back here and tell us anything that is going on and we will help you from there.
-the new tech guy
PS: Im sure that if you dected somthing with one scanner others will pick things up as well.

 

Thanks ! I will try it tomorrow morning !

It is midnight here in Athens, Greece...

Have a nice day (?)

Bye for now,
Maggie

 

Maggie,

Unsolicited advice that doesn't help your problem.

I use Firefox 1.5 (it's free) which sits ontop of the OS rather than embedded in it, so it's fundamentally safer than IE6. Also, if you install download SpyBot S&D you can adjust settings so that nothing can hijack your IE home page.

Apologies if you already knew this.

 

Of course I had SpyBot but it did not help to prevent the problem. The spyware that caused damage to the windows/host did all these. Please read the message (in red) I got from MICROSOFT ANTISPYWARE.

So, you think I SHOULD NOT TRY WHAT IT SAYS IN PAGE http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 ??

I downloaded FIREFOX 1.5 but I had saved many pages in IE 6. It is strange, but these pages open normally !!!

HOW DO YOU THINK I SHOULD SOLVE MY PROBLEM ?

Thanks a lot,
Maggie

 

What is recommended is that you follow ALL the steps in the link. Most times when you do those steps, it could very well solve your problems.
These are steps that we on the forum also follow to clear up our comps when they get infected. But, we also use a lot of the programs that are recommended so that we can prevent infections.

If you notice on that link, the steps are preparation for a Hijack post. So, if all the steps do not clear your problem, then you are prepared for a Hijack post, WHEN REQUESTED.

NOTE: Not 1 single program will catch every virus/ trojan/ malware/ spyware/, etc.

Try those steps and let us know.

 

Maggie,

I would not dream of telling you not to follow the advice of these guys - I'm a Noob here and was just trying to help. Spybot won't prevent anything unless you've immunised and used the anti-hijack settings in the IE Tweaks in Tools - this will lock your hosts.

As I say, I'm no expert, but I use XP Pro SP2 and I can't see a "Hosts" file or folder in my Windows directory.

One quick thing that might be worth a try (it worked when I had to get a load of spyware off my brother's machine that had slowed it to a crawl) is if you have a restore point that you know is before you had the hijack problem try restoring back to then (as long as you don't mind losing all your subsequent software installations).

I agree with the comment that the malware can be in the restore files and you should certainly follow the clean up routines, including eventually turning off Restore to dump any infected files but, as it's reversible, it might be worth giving restore a quick go to see if it gives you a stable base to scan from.

If the experts here shout at my advice and say you shouldn't follow it - go with them.

 

Alright guys your all talking at once and may confuse maggie as i know it would seem a bit confusing to me as well. Dont take offense anyone. Bottom line run the sticky i have previously post and make sure your clean. If unsure post in the spyware forum and someone there can help you and once they say you are clean come back and tell us how things are running and what problems are remaining and we wilkl deal with them from there.
-the new tech guy