Google links redirested(RESOLVED)

bobbydem · #1 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 09:44 PM

It seems I have the same problem as others I have seen here. My Firefox browser gets redirected when I click on Google search result links. I need help finding out where the problem lies. Here is my Hijack this logs. Any help will be hugely appreciated.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:43:42 PM, on 6/9/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\sm56hlpr.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPwuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Compaq Connections\5577497\Program\Compaq Connections.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ALCXMNTR.EXE
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SMSERIAL] sm56hlpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LSBWatcher] c:\hp\drivers\hplsbwatcher\lsburnwatcher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPwuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATICustomerCare] "C:\Program Files\ATI\ATICustomerCare\ATICustomerCare.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Uniblue RegistryBooster 2009] C:\Program Files\Uniblue\RegistryBooster\RegistryBooster.exe /S
O4 - Global Startup: Compaq Connections.lnk = C:\Program Files\Compaq Connections\5577497\Program\Compaq Connections.exe
O4 - Global Startup: SketchBook Snapshot.lnk = C:\Program Files\Autodesk\SketchBookPro2009\SketchBookSnapsho t.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Status Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfcWnd.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Application Installer Cleanup (0106251244554972) (0106251244554972mcinstcleanup) - Unknown owner - C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\010625~1.EXE (file missing)
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe

--
End of file - 7402 bytes

Neal · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 08:12 PM

Welcome,

Please download GooredFix and save it to your Desktop. Double-click Goored.exe to run it. Select 1. Find Goored (no fix) by typing 1 and pressing Enter. A log will open, please post the contents of that log in your next reply (it can also be found on your desktop, called GooredLog.txt). Note: Do not run Option #2 yet.

bobbydem · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2009, 09:58 PM

Thanks Neal. As suggested, here is the results from running GooredFix:

GooredFix v1.92 by jpshortstuff
Log created at 16:54 on 10/06/2009 running Option #1 (Compaq_Owner)
Firefox version [Unable to determine]

=====Suspect Goored Entries=====

C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{A4303829-31E0-45FA-BA55-8B19F03E55DA}

=====Dumping Registry Values=====

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Firefox\extens ions]
"{20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b}"="C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework \v3.5\Windows Presentation Foundation\DotNetAssistantExtension\"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Firefox\extens ions]
"jqs@sun.com"="C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ff"

Neal · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 10:56 PM

Please double-click GooredFix.exe on your Desktop to run it. Select 2. Fix Goored by typing 2 and pressing Enter. Make sure all instances of Firefox are closed at this point. Type y at the prompt and press Enter again. A log will open, please post the contents of that log in your next reply (it can also be found on your desktop, called GooredLog.txt).

Plus new hijackthis log. Thanks.

bobbydem · #5 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 03:55 AM

Here are the logs you requested. GooredLog is first followed by HijackThis:

GooredFix v1.92 by jpshortstuff
Log created at 22:50 on 11/06/2009 running Option #2 (Compaq_Owner)
Firefox version [Unable to determine]

=====Goored Deletions=====
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\extensions\{A4303829-31E0-45FA-BA55-8B19F03E55DA}
->Backing up folder... Done.
->Emptying folder... Done.
->Deleting folder... Done.

=====Dumping Registry Values=====

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Firefox\extens ions]
"{20a82645-c095-46ed-80e3-08825760534b}"="C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework \v3.5\Windows Presentation Foundation\DotNetAssistantExtension\"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Mozilla\Firefox\extens ions]
"jqs@sun.com"="C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ff"

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:51:21 PM, on 6/11/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\sm56hlpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Hp\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Compaq Connections\5577497\Program\Compaq Connections.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ALCXMNTR.EXE
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Compaq_Owner\Desktop\GooredFix.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = AOL.com - Welcome to AOL
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TY...rm1=seconduser
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SMSERIAL] sm56hlpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\Hp\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ccleaner] "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe" /AUTO
O4 - Global Startup: Compaq Connections.lnk = C:\Program Files\Compaq Connections\5577497\Program\Compaq Connections.exe
O4 - Global Startup: SketchBook Snapshot.lnk = C:\Program Files\Autodesk\SketchBookPro2009\SketchBookSnapsho t.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Status Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfcWnd.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate into English - res://C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbar1.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Application Installer Cleanup (0106251244554972) (0106251244554972mcinstcleanup) - Unknown owner - C:\DOCUME~1\COMPAQ~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\010625~1.EXE (file missing)
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Scheduler (AntiVirSchedulerService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe

--
End of file - 7959 bytes

Neal · #6 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 08:57 PM

Looks good.

How is she performing?

Update Java: Security Issue

* Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on the Software icon > add/remove programs.
* Search in the list for all previous installed versions of Java. (J2SE Runtime Environment.... )

It should have next icon next to it:

Select it and click Remove.
* The current version can be downloaded from Sun here: Java SE Downloads - Sun Developer Network (SDN) Scroll down the page to 'Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6u14(or higher) and press the 'Download' button. On the new web page, click the 'Accept License Agreement' button. Then select 'Windows Offline Installation, Multi-language' in the Windows Platform area just below the Accept button.

bobbydem · #7 (**permalink**) 12-06-2009, 10:48 PM

Seems to be working correctly. Yes! That was bugging me. Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it.

Neal · #8 (**permalink**) 13-06-2009, 12:06 AM

You betcha,

If you are no longer having any more trouble here is some preventative measures for you.

Be sure to re-hide hidden files/folders if you were asked to unhide them

Here are some preventive measures you can take to keep your computer from getting infected again. Also keep SpybotS&D updated.

Read This First - IMPORTANT Instructions - D-A-L Computer Help

Flush your restore points in ME and XP, by turning System Restore off and then back on.
This will create a fresh restore point.

Explained Here:
Windows XP: McAfee Threat Center

Explained Here
Microsoft ME:
Disabling or enabling Windows Me System Restore

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune to desktop.
http://www.atribune.org/public-beta/ATF-Cleaner.exe

Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program, to clean junk files off your PC.

If you would like to keep your cookies don't check that item

* Under Main "Select Files to Delete" choose: Select All.
* Click the Empty Selected button.
* If you use Firefox browser click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
* Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
* If you use Opera browser click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
* Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.

To reduce the re-infection potential for malware and protect yourself against spyware, here are a few helpful suggestions:

1. Keep Windows and Internet Explorer current with the latest critical security updates from Microsoft. This will patch many of the security holes through which attackers can gain access to your computer. You CANNOT complete this update using an alternate browser.
http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.co....aspx?ln=en-us

Internet Explorer 8: Home page

2. Run your antivirus software regularly, and to keep its definitions up-to-date. If you are thinking about switching, there are a some good free Antivirus programs that are decent, including Avira and Avast and PCTools.
AVIRA: http://www.free-av.com/]Avira

AVAST: FREE antivirus software with spyware protection: avast! Home Edition

PCTOOLS: PC Tools AntiVirus - Free Anti Virus Download and Removal

3. In addtion to using SpyBot S&D consider using another free malware scanning/removal program:
Windows Defender: Windows Defender: Home Page

4. Consider using a free firewall if you are not already using one. Some good free ones are:
Kerio: Personal Firewall by Sunbelt Software - Full Version & FREE Firewall - Kerio

Comodo:Firewall and AntiVirus Free Software Download from Comodo

5. Consider using an alternate free browser for general web surfing but you must use IE for windows update.
Mozilla Firefox: www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/

6. Consider increasing your browser security by using Spyware Blaster:
SpywareBlaster will increase browser protection by blocking Thousands of known malware sites by adding them to IE's restricted sites zone. Download it here:

SpywareBlaster | Prevent spyware and malware. Free download.

If you use SpywareBlaster, you can also use a customblocklist to add even more entries into IE restricted sites zone. Go to this site for the current list and how to use instructions: SpywareBlaster Custom Blocking List

IE-SPYAD is similar in that it adds thousands more known malware sites to IE's restricted zone. Download it here:
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm

Block access to Untrustworthy Sites

You can prevent your computer from visiting a myriad of untrustworthy sites and ad-servers by installing a customised hosts file. One of the best available is the: MVPS Hosts File. Simply follow the instructions to install the file in the correct location. This will not only make surfing safer but will improve website load times and block popups from many of the large ad-servers.

*Remember just like your primary anti-virus software, it is important to keep all of these programs up-to-date and use them on a regular basis. It's Free