[RebelSnipe]

Ok - lets try to get IE working. Thanks!

[Advertisements]

OK. I have a couple of more things that we can try:


Step-1.

Reset the Internet Explorer settings

In versions 7, 8 and 9 of Internet Explorer, you can repair damaged files or missing registration information. To reset the

Internet Explorer settings manually, follow these steps:

• Start Internet Explorer.
• On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  
  
  
• On the Advanced tab, click Reset under Reset Internet Explorer settings.
  
  
  
• In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset to confirm.
  

Note: The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature does not clear the favorites or clear the feeds. The connection settings are also not cleared, because the settings can be used in other programs.

• Extensibility

The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature disables all toolbars, browser extensions, and customizations that you install. To use any of these disabled customizations, you must selectively enable each customization through the Manage Add-ons dialog box.

Note: Some toolbars may require that two or more controls are enabled to work correctly. These toolbars have controls for the corresponding Browser Helper Object and toolbar extensions. You can easily use the Manage Add-ons dialog box to enable any disabled controls that are from a trusted publisher.

For web pages that have ActiveX controls, you must approve running each ActiveX control the first time that you encounter it. After you approve running the control one time, Internet Explorer runs the control automatically any time that you encounter it.

• Browsing history

The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature deletes temporary Internet files and cookies. It also clears the browsing history, saved form data, saved passwords, and auto-complete data.

Now close IE and open it back up and see if it will work. If it doesn't go to the next Step.

Step-2.

Repair Internet Explorer with Fix IE Utility

Download Fix IE Utility and save it to the desktop. To do that click here and then click the Download File button.

• Close all open windows and browsers, especially Internet Explorer
• Right click the Fix IE.zip file on the desktop and click Extract All. The Select a destination window will open.
• Click the Extract button. This will put a folder named IE on the desktop.
• Double click the IE folder to open it.
• Double click the IE folder there to open it.
• Double click the Fix IE Utility.exe file to run it.(Vista and 7 users may need to right click the Fix IE Utility.exe file and click Run as Administrators to run the program.
• Click on the Run Utility button as shown in the image
  
  
• Wait until the following message appears
  
  
• Then click on OK
• Restart your machine to see if your Internet Explorer is now working again

[godawgs]

OK. I have a couple of more things that we can try:


Step-1.

Reset the Internet Explorer settings

In versions 7, 8 and 9 of Internet Explorer, you can repair damaged files or missing registration information. To reset the

Internet Explorer settings manually, follow these steps:

• Start Internet Explorer.
• On the Tools menu, click Internet Options.
  
  
  
• On the Advanced tab, click Reset under Reset Internet Explorer settings.
  
  
  
• In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset to confirm.
  

Note: The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature does not clear the favorites or clear the feeds. The connection settings are also not cleared, because the settings can be used in other programs.

• Extensibility

The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature disables all toolbars, browser extensions, and customizations that you install. To use any of these disabled customizations, you must selectively enable each customization through the Manage Add-ons dialog box.

Note: Some toolbars may require that two or more controls are enabled to work correctly. These toolbars have controls for the corresponding Browser Helper Object and toolbar extensions. You can easily use the Manage Add-ons dialog box to enable any disabled controls that are from a trusted publisher.

For web pages that have ActiveX controls, you must approve running each ActiveX control the first time that you encounter it. After you approve running the control one time, Internet Explorer runs the control automatically any time that you encounter it.

• Browsing history

The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature deletes temporary Internet files and cookies. It also clears the browsing history, saved form data, saved passwords, and auto-complete data.

Now close IE and open it back up and see if it will work. If it doesn't go to the next Step.

Step-2.

Repair Internet Explorer with Fix IE Utility

Download Fix IE Utility and save it to the desktop. To do that click here and then click the Download File button.

• Close all open windows and browsers, especially Internet Explorer
• Right click the Fix IE.zip file on the desktop and click Extract All. The Select a destination window will open.
• Click the Extract button. This will put a folder named IE on the desktop.
• Double click the IE folder to open it.
• Double click the IE folder there to open it.
• Double click the Fix IE Utility.exe file to run it.(Vista and 7 users may need to right click the Fix IE Utility.exe file and click Run as Administrators to run the program.
• Click on the Run Utility button as shown in the image
  
  
• Wait until the following message appears
  
  
• Then click on OK
• Restart your machine to see if your Internet Explorer is now working again

[RebelSnipe]

I'm happy to take your lead on what ever you think is best to get this laptop back working.

Thinking more about it, it doesn't appear All-in-one did anything (other than maybe break iTunes

I'm wondering if we wouldn't be better off doing the restore point to get iTunes back and then going back to work on IE. I don't know but I'm thinking that way we don't have to come back and address iTunes after getting IE fixed. Plus, I'm concerned that I might lose play lists, etc. by reinstalling iTunes. Does that make sense?

Also, if it is time to pull the trigger on hitting the "reset" button on IE - that's fine also. Is there a downside to hitting the reset button? Are you holding off because it usually doesn't work or because there are other consequences?

Again, I'll take your lead. THANKS!!

[RebelSnipe]

Sorry - it looks like we were both posting at the same time. Should I rollback (for iTunes) first and then follow the steps you listed above for IE or should we do IE first and then iTunes?

[godawgs]

I don't see how All-In-One could have broken iTunes, but anything is possible. Go ahead and restore the system to the Before All In One point and see if iTunes works again.

Also, if it is time to pull the trigger on hitting the "reset" button on IE - that's fine also. Is there a downside to hitting the reset button? Are you holding off because it usually doesn't work or because there are other consequences?

Here is the downside:

The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature disables all toolbars, browser extensions, and customizations that you install. To use any of these disabled customizations, you must selectively enable each customization through the Manage Add-ons dialog box.

Note: Some toolbars may require that two or more controls are enabled to work correctly. These toolbars have controls for the corresponding Browser Helper Object and toolbar extensions. You can easily use the Manage Add-ons dialog box to enable any disabled controls that are from a trusted publisher.

For web pages that have ActiveX controls, you must approve running each ActiveX control the first time that you encounter it. After you approve running the control one time, Internet Explorer runs the control automatically any time that you encounter it.

Browsing history


The Reset Internet Explorer Settings feature deletes temporary Internet files and cookies. It also clears the browsing history, saved form data, saved passwords, and auto-complete data.

That's why I don't reset IE unless nothing else has worked. I have seen instances where it works and instances where it doesn't. IE can be a pain when something goes wrong in it. The FixIE Utility doesn't do anything but re-register all of the IE .dll files, but it's worth a shot too.
If you want to run the FixIE Utility before resetting IE that's OK.

[RebelSnipe]

SUCCESS!!!

I clicked on restoring the restore point before All-in-one -> failed anti virus might have interferred
rebooted, turned off AVG, re-ran restore to finish undoing the attempt
rebooted, turned off AVG and ran the restore point before All-in-one

No more iTunes error message - IE still doesn't work

Ran Fix IE utility - IE still doesn't work

Ran IE reset - IE now works!!

Besides cleaning up all of the tools & utilities, I think we are at end of job my friend - THANK YOU!!!!

[godawgs]

You are very welcome and that is great news. Glad we made the restore point before running the All-In-One fix. This is a clear example of why you should create a restore point before making changes like that, or any drastic changes, to a system.
It's gonna take me a little while to go back through the posts and find everything we've run and come up with the clean up post. This is very important so please come back when it's posted. I will also give you some suggestions on keeping the computer more secure in the future.

[RebelSnipe]

Excellent - thank you. I will definately check back for the clean up.

A couple questions if you wouldn't mind:

1) Now that it is all over, what do you think it was that happened? (i.e. a Trogan like AVG was calling out? AVG behaving badly? etc...)

2) A thumb drive gets used on this computer (although I don't think it has been inserted since this problem started.) Any concerns continuing to use that thumb drive? It has a lot of data on it I would like to keep.

3) This might be included in your suggestions, but just in case, should IE be avoided in favor of FireFox or Chrome?

4) Same as above, but for AVG? Is AVG ok to still relie on or should I consider a different anti-virus?

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!! I really appreciate all of the time you spent volunteering to help me!!

[godawgs]

1) Now that it is all over, what do you think it was that happened? (i.e. a Trogan like AVG was calling out? AVG behaving badly? etc...)

I think that whatever you had AVG cleaned most of it. So I don't really know what it was. The other symptoms could have been a combination of a bad toolbar (Babylon) that AdwCleaner got rid of, the remnants that we removed with the OTL fix and the ComboFix malfunction. I don't know what exactly caused the problem with IE.

2) A thumb drive gets used on this computer (although I don't think it has been inserted since this problem started.) Any concerns continuing to use that thumb drive? It has a lot of data on it I would like to keep.

there is always a concern when you move thumb drives from one machine to another...especially if one of them has been infected. As part of the prevention suggestions I will give you instructions for installing and running a program that will disinfect thumb drives being plugged into the computers.

3) This might be included in your suggestions, but just in case, should IE be avoided in favor of FireFox or Chrome?

Even though IE uses ActiveX instead of plug-ins like Firefox, beginning with IE8, and especially IE9 and IE10 are just as secure as Firefox. I don't use Chrome. Never have. So I don't really know anything about it.

4) Same as above, but for AVG? Is AVG ok to still relie on or should I consider a different anti-virus?

We used to recommend AVG but we don't anymore.

It's become too big, too bloated, consumes too many system resources. It does silly things. Installs the Yahoo Toolbar unless you opt out. Definition updates appear to come from different servers for free versus paid versions, and the free updates have a history of being unavailable too often. Add some embarrassing false positive detections, and below average detection rates. There are simply better free alternatives.

If you are thinking of replacing AVG, please visit our Free Antivirus and Antispyware Software page. Look under the Free Antivirus Software heading for some excellent free alternatives. But remember to uninstall AVG before you install the new antivirus.

THANK YOU AGAIN!!!! I really appreciate all of the time you spent volunteering to help me!!

You are more than welcome.


OK! Well done. Here is the best part of the process! The mullygrubs are gone! That's a technical term for your log(s) appear to be clean! If you have no further issues with your computer, please proceed with the housekeeping procedures outlined below.
The first thing we need to do is to remove all the tools that we have used. This is so that should you ever be re-infected, you will download updated versions.

If you didn't uninstall ESET after running the program we will do it now.

Step-1.

Uninstall ESET and All In One

1. Please click the Start Orb , click Control Panel. Under the Programs and Features heading click Uninstall a program
2. In the list of programs installed, locate the following program(s):

ESET
Windows All In One or All In One

3. Click on each program to highlight it and click Change/Remove. (Vista/7 users: right click the program and click Uninstall
4. After the programs have been uninstalled, close the Installed Programs window and the Control Panel.
5. Reboot the computer.

Delete the folders associated with the uninstalled programs.(Only do this if you uninstalled the program)

1. Using Windows Explorer (to get there right-click your Start button and click "Explore"), please delete the following folders(s) (if present):

C:\Program Files(x86)\ESET
C:\Program Files\Tweaking.com

2. Close Windows Explorer.

Step-2.

Uninstall ComboFix

• Click the Start Orb and then click Run. This will display the Run dialogue box .
• In the Run box, type in ComboFix /Uninstall (Notice the space between the "x" and "/") then click OK
  
  
  
• Follow the prompts on the screen.
• A message should appear confirming that ComboFix was uninstalled

Step-3.

Uninstall AdwCleaner

Re-open AdwCleaner

• Click the Uninstall button
• Confirm with yes

Step-4.

OTL Cleanup

Please re-open on your desktop.

• Be sure all other programs are closed as this step will require a reboot.
• Click on
• You will be prompted to reboot your system. Please do so.

The above process will remove most/all of the tools used and logs created during the cleanup process. After it is finished, OTL will remove itself. This is so that if you are ever infected again you will download the most current copy of the tool.

Step-5.

Delete the following Files and Folders (If Present):

From the desktop:
MBR.dat
avgremover64.exe
checkup.txt
Tweaking.com_windows_repair_aio_setup.exe
FixIE.zip and the IE folder on the desktop

Delete any other .bat, .log, .reg, .txt, and any other files created during this process, and left on the desktop and empty the Recycle Bin.

Step-6.

Reset Hidden Files and Folders

For Vista and Windows 7
1. Click Start,click Control Panel.
2. Click Folder Options.... NOTE: If you are in the Category view, click Appearance, then Folder Options
3. On the Folder Options window click the View tab.
4. In the Advanced settings: box, Under Hidden files and folders, click the Do not show hidden files and folders button.
5. Click the Hide protected operating system files (Recommended) box.
6. Click Apply and then OK

Step-7.

Make a Fresh Restore Point, Clear the Old Restore Points, and Re-enable System Restore

The files in System Restore are protected to prevent any programs from changing those files. This is the only way to clean these files: (You will lose all previous restore points which are likely to be infected, but that's good news).

Note: Do not clear infected/old System Restore points before creating a new System Restore point first!

For Vista and Windows 7:

• Click the Start Orb. Click Control Panel. Click System and Maintenance
• Click System
• In the left column under Tasks, click Advance System Settings and accept the warning if you get one
• Click the System Protection Tab
• In the Available Disks box put a check mark in the box next to OS (?:) (System). Your drive letter will be shown in place of the ?
  
  Note: It may take some time for the system to populate the Available Disks box, so be patient.
  
• Click the Create button at the bottom
• Type in a name fo the restore point, i.e: Clean
• Click Create
• A small System Protection window will come up telling you a Restore Point is being created.
• Another System Protection window will come up telling you the Restore Point has been created, click OK
• Click OK again.
• Close the Control Panel

Now we can purge the old Restore Points

• Click Start(Windows 7 Orb), click Run (or press the Windows key and R together) to bring up the Run box.
• Copy and Paste the following in the Run box:
  

  cleanmgr

• Click OK
  A Disk Cleanup Options popup will open
  
• Click Files from all users on this computer
  
  A Drive Selection popup will open
  NOTE: You will not see this window unless you have more than one drive or partition on your computer.
  
  If you chose Files from all users on this computer above, then click on Continue for UAC prompt.
• Select the system drive, C:\ and click OK.
  
• For a few moments the system will make some calculations
  
  
• The Disk Cleanup Window will open:
  
  
• Click the More Options tab.
• Click the Clean up button under the System Restore and Shadow Copies section. (See screenshot below)
  
  
• In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, click Delete (See screenshot below).
  
  
• You will get a Disk Cleanup confirmation (See screenshot below)
  
• Click Delete Files, and then click OK.

Preventing Re-Infection

Below, I have included a number of recommendations for how to protect your computer against future malware infections.

For your USB thumb drives you can install this program on both machines and run it to disinfect your thumb drives ans hard drives.

Flash Drive Disinfector

Download Flash_Disinfector.exe by sUBs from here and save it to your desktop.

• Double-click Flash_Disinfector.exe to run it and follow any prompts that may appear. (Vista and Windows 7 users) may need to right click the file and click Run as Administrator to run the program.
• The utility may ask you to insert your flash drive and/or other removable drives including your mobile phone. Please do so and allow the utility to clean up those drives as well.
• Flash_Disinfector will start disinfecting your flash and hard drives. This takes a few seconds. Your desktop will disappear in the meantime.
• When done, a message box will appear. Click OK. Your desktop should now appear. If it doesn't, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
• Click on File > New Task (Run...). Type in explorer.exe and press Enter. Your desktop should now appear.
• Reboot your computer when done.
  
  Note: Flash_Disinfector will create a hidden folder named autorun.inf in each partition and every USB drive plugged in when you run it. Don't delete this folder...it will help protect your drives from future infection.

:Keep Windows Updated:-Windows Updates are constantly being revised to combat the newest hacks and threats. Microsoft releases security updates that help your computer from becoming vulnerable.
Please either enable Automatic Updates or get into the habit of checking Windows Update regularly. They usually have security updates every month. You can set Windows to notify you of Updates so that you can choose, but only do this if you believe you are able to understand which ones are needed. This is a crucial security measure.

Vista and Windows 7 Users:
1. Click Start> All Programs, from the list find Windows Update and click it.

:Turn On Automatic Updates:

Vista and Windows 7

NOTE: If you choose to update Windows manually be sure to configure Windows updates to notify you when updates are available so you can manually install them.

1. Click Start> Control Panel. Click Security. Under Windows Update, Click Turn automatic on or off.
2. On the next page, under Important Updates, Click the Drop down arrow on the right side of the box and Click Install Updates Automatically(recommended).
If you click this setting, click to select the day and time for scheduled updates to occur. You can schedule Automatic Updates for any time of day. Remember, your computer must be on at the scheduled time for updates to be installed. After you set this option, Windows recognizes when you are online and uses your Internet connection to find updates on the Windows Update Web site or on the Microsoft Update Web site that apply to your computer. Updates are downloaded automatically in the background, and you are not notified or interrupted during this process. An icon appears in the notification area of your task bar when the updates are being downloaded. You can point to the icon to view the download status. To pause or to resume the download, right-click the icon, and then click Pause or Resume. When the download is completed, another message appears in the notification area so that you can review the updates that are scheduled for installation. If you choose not to install at that time, Windows starts the installation on your set schedule.

: Keep Java Updated :

WARNING: Java is the #1 exploited program at this time. The Department of Homeland Security recommends that computer users disable Java
See this article and this article.
I would recommend that you completely uninstall Java unless you need it to run an important software or need it to play games on-line.
In that instance I would recommend that you only use Firefox or Chrome to visit those sites and do the following:

• For Firefox, install the NoScript add-on.
• For Chrome, install the Script-No add-on.
  NOTE: After installing the add-ons you will need to tell them that the site you are visiting is allowed to run Java.
• Disable Java in your browsers until you need it for that software and then enable it. (See How to disable Java in your web browser or How to unplug Java from the browser)

If you still want to keep Java

• Click the Start button
• Click Control Panel
• Double Click Java - Looks like a coffee cup. You may have to switch to Classical View on the upper left of the Control Panel to see it.
• Click the Update tab
• Click Update Now
• Allow any updates to be downloaded and installed

: Keep Adobe Reader Updated :

• Open Adobe Reader
• Click Help on the menu at the top
• Click Check for Updates
• Allow any updates to be downloaded and installed

NOTE: Whether you use Adobe Reader, Acrobat or Foxit Reader to read pdf files you need to disable Javascript in the program. There is an exploit out there now that can use it to get on your PC. For Adobe Reader: Click Start, All Programs, Adobe Reader, Edit, Preferences, Click on Javascript in the left column and uncheck Enable Acrobat Javascript. Click OK Close program. It's the same for Foxit Reader except Preferences is under the Tools menu, and you uncheck Enable Javascript Actions.

NOTE: Many installers offer third-party downloads that are installed automatically when you do not uncheck certain checkboxes. While most of the time not being malicious you usually do not want these on your computer. Be careful during the installation process and you will avoid seeing tons of new unwanted toolbars in your favorite web browser.

:Web Browsers:

:Make your Internet Explorer more secure:
1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
2. Click once on the Security tab
3. Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
4. Click once on the Custom Level button.
5. Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to "Prompt"
6. Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to "Disable"
7. Change the Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to "Disable"
8. Change the Installation of desktop items to "Prompt"
9. Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to "Prompt"
10. When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
11. If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, click the Yes button.
12. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.

:Alternate Browsers:

If you use Firefox, I highly recommend these add-ons to keep your PC even more secure.

• NoScript - for blocking ads and other potential website attacks
• WebOfTrust - a safe surfing tool for your browser. Traffic-light rating symbols show which websites you can trust when you search, shop and surf on the Web.
• McAfee SiteAdvisor - this tells you whether the sites you are about to visit are safe or not. A must if you do a lot of Googling

:Install the MVPs Hosts File:

• MVPS Hosts file-replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad sites and other bad sites. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer, meaning it will be difficult to infect yourself in the future.

Preventative programs that will help to keep the nasties away! We will start with Anti Spyware programs. I would advise getting a couple of them at least, and running a full scan at least once a month. Run Quick Scans at least once a week. Download the Free versions. And update the definitions before running scans.

========Anti Spyware========

• Malwarebytes-Free Version- a powerful tool to search for and eliminate malware found on your computer.
• SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition-another scanning tool to find and eliminate malware.
• SpywareBlaster-to help prevent spyware from installing in the first place. A tutorial can be found here.
• SpywareGuard-to catch and block spyware before it can execute. A tutorial can be found here.
• WinPatrol - will alert you to hijackings, malware attacks and critical changes made to your computer without your permission. Help file and tutorial can be found here.

It's a good idea to clear out all your temp files every now and again. This will help your computer from bogging down and slowing. It also can assist in getting rid of files that may contain malicious code that could re-infect your computer.

========TEMP File Cleaners========

• TFC by OldTimer-A very powerful cleaning program for 32 and 64 bit OS. Note: You may have this already as part of the fixes you have run.
• CleanUP-Click the Download CleanUP! link. There is also a Learn how to use CleanUP! link on this page.

:BACKUPS:

• Keep a backup of your important files.-Now, more than ever, it's especially important to protect your digital files and memories. This article is full of good information on alternatives for home backup solutions.
• ERUNT-(Emergency Recovery Utility NT) allows you to keep a complete backup of your registry and restore it when needed. The standard registry backup options that come with Windows back up most of the registry but not all of it. ERUNT however creates a complete backup set, including the Security hive and user related sections. ERUNT is easy to use and since it creates a full backup, there are no options or choices other than to select the location of the backup files. The backup set includes a small executable that will launch the registry restore if needed.

:Keep Installed Programs Up to Date:

It is also possible for other programs on your computer to have security vulnerability that can allow malware to infect you. Therefore, it is also a good idea to check for the latest versions of commonly installed applications that are regularly patched to fix vulnerabilities.
A program that will do this is listed below. Download and install the program and run it monthly:
Filehippo Update Checker

Finally, please read How did I get infected in the first place? by Mr. Tony Cline

I'd be grateful if you could reply to this post so that I know you have read it and, if you've no other questions, the thread can then be closed.

I Will Keep This Open For 24 hours or so. If Anything Comes Up - Just Come Back And Let Me Know

Stay Safe
godawgs

[RebelSnipe]

Thanks godawgs! I read through your reply and do not have any questions. I probably will not be able to perform those steps until this weekend. Go ahead and close out this posting. THANKS!!!

[godawgs]

You are welcome. If you need us in the future, just give us a shout.
Stay safe!

[godawgs]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.