i think my computer was/is being hacked into...

- Download HijackThis 1.99.1

- Unzip the hijackthis.exe file to a folder you create named C:\Program Files\HJT

- Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the downloaded ZIP file.

- Before running HijackThis: You must close each of the following:your web browser, e-mail client, instant messenger, and programs like notepad, wordpad, MS Word etc. And any other unnecessary running programs.

- Run HijackThis and save your log file.

- Post your log as an ATTACHMENT to your next message. (Do NOT copy/paste the log into your post).

And one last step - please keep your candles away from the PC!

 

Please give this a quick run and let me know if it finds anything:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FxIstbar.exe


And is there a reason you did not run the online scanners as required?

 

If the previous step does not find and fix the ISTsvc problem, the below should. If it did fix it, you will most like not find the lines am referring to below so just continue with the other steps.

If you are using WinXP or WinMe, make sure you have system restore disabled (per the tutorial).
For all OS types, make sure viewing of hidden files is enabled (per the tutorial).

Please bring up Task Manager by hitting CTRL-ALT-DEL and click the Processes tab. Look for the below process(es) and if found, End them:
istsvc.exe

Run HijackThis and select the following lines but DO NOT CLICK FIX until you exit all browser sessions including the one you are reading in right now:
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://10517.splash.sexsearch.com/bucket1.html
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [JjcX7qJe] C:\WINNT\cxrca.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IST Service] C:\Program Files\ISTsvc\istsvc.exe

After clicking Fix, exit HJT.
Boot into safe mode and use Windows Explorer to delete:
C:\Program Files\ISTsvc
C:\WINNT\cxrca.exe

If you get an error when deleting a file. Right click on the file and check to see if the read only attribute is checked. If it is, uncheck it and try again. Other wise open Task Manager and kill the process if running then delete the file.
Now run Ccleaner (installed while running the READ ME FIRST).

Now we need to Reset Web Settings (you can use http://www.gateway.net if desired for your start page instead of www.majoreeks.com)
1) If you have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, goto step 2. If not, skip to step 3.
2) Now right click on your desktop Internet Explorer icon and select Properties. Then click the Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK. Then skip step 3.
3) If you do not have an Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop, click Start, Control Panel (for some systems it may be Start, Settings, Control Panel), Internet Options, Programs tab and then click "Reset Web Settings". Now go back to the General tab and set your home page address to something useful like www.majorgeeks.com. Click Apply. Click Delete Cookies, Click Delete Files and select Delete all Offline content too, Click OK. When it finishes Click OK.

Now reboot in normal mode and post a new HJT log. And tell us how things are working.

 

It's in the first Step in the READ ME FIRST! Please check it again.

Your log is clean now.


Also please check the below out for your other problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;812339