spyware disabled firewall?

Has anyone had problems with spyware disabling windows firewall? Now windows won't let me enable it again. It says something about the service has been stopped. Help?
I am also having problems with MyWebSearch trying to download everytime I reboot my computer. Giant or Microsoft Spyware catches it everytime, but I want to get rid of it completely so it won't try to load everytime I restart. I have used Spybot, AdAware, Giant, HiJack This. I have read many things on MyWeb removal, nothing helps.

 

Hi School Tech,

That darn M$ Anti-Spyware has been known to bork the Windows FireWall!!!!!! I would not be surprised if this were the case here!

Of course, it could be malware related as well - Wouldn't be the first time!


For malware and SearchBar issues, generally, it is a good idea to start with the Cleanup Tutorial HERE:

READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan and Virus Removal

There are only a few of us Volunteers who regularly offer advice in this forum. Running through the above Tutorial will remove a lot of stuff that would otherwise clog a HijackThis Log and save us valuable time.

Please let us know the steps that you are able to complete and the ones that give you problems. Note that you need to be in Safe Mode with System Restore OFF (if you have it) and have the Viewing of Hidden Files ENABLED as per the instructions in the link. Make sure to do the Online Scans.

Post back and let us know how you fared. Also, send us a HijackThis Log. Please be sure to follow the instructions below:

Note that your HijackThis should be up-to-date (v1.99) and MUST be extracted to its own safe folder – C:\Program Files\HijackThis!
Should you need a Fresh Download of HJT, get it HERE: HijackThis v1.99

Also note that, before you scan, you MUST close all running programs including your web browser, e-mail and items in the system tray.

Please save your HJT Log as a .txt File and attach it via the "Manage Attachments" tool in the Additional Options section when you post.

I’ve been busy with work and other obligations these days, but somebody will try to take a look when they get a chance.

Best luck
PP

 

Thank you so much for the suggestions. I tried them all. CWShredder seemed to work on MyWebSearch, so far anyway. Do you think I should remove Microsoft AntiSpyware? I tried to restart the Windows Firewall Service but it wouldn't let me or it said it couldn't because of the address. I attached HJT log file. I hope I did it right. I tried to follow directions. Please see if you can see anything that doesn't belong. Thanks again!

 

Hi School Tech,

I would remove the M$ Anti-Spyware until they work out the kinks!

Your HijackThis log looks OK.
All you need to do is fix the following lines:
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://hsremove.com/done.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =

O16 - DPF: {56336BCB-3D8A-11D6-A00B-0050DA18DE71} (RdxIE Class) - http://207.188.7.150/1270e1457783ed9ee615/netzip/RdxIE601.cab

Is this the desired setting?
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = bess-proxy.pampaisd.net


You should be good to go! Please check out Chaslang's Suggestions!!

Suggest you install one of the free Personal Firewalls he mentions - They will give you better protection than the Windows Firewall.

Happy Computing
PP

 

I really thank you for your help! I tried out Giant Spyware before it was Microsoft Antispyware and liked it alot. How disappointing! Lesson learned, beware of Beta! Always!

 

Just wanted to let you know I found a firewall fix, at least it worked for my computer. I removed Microsoft AntiSpyware under add remove programs. Then go to Start - Run -type cmd.exe and when the command prompt comes up type: netsh.exe winsock reset and hit enter. Follow prompts and reboot. After reboot I was able to enable the Firewall w/o problems. I got the info off of Microsoft Support Forum. Other people have had the same problem and also with internet deconnection. Hope this helps. Major Geeks is a great place to come for help. You headed me in the right direction. I will not be reinstalling MS Antispyware needless to say!

 

Thanks for the feedback!

I,too, was underwhelmed by the M$ Anti-Spyware. Probably be a good tool down the road, but too many kinks right now!

Have only run into the FireWall/Disconnect problems a few times here, but find it sad that a lot of people are probably unaware that their FireWall is down thanks to a tool they think is protecting them!!

Still suggest Sygate or ZoneAlarm as better alternative to Windows Firewall as they monitor Outgoing traffic as well as Incoming!

Best Regards
PP