Expert: Lorry - 2/7/2008

Question
We have high speed internet on our home computer.  I discovered some items of question in the hard drive browsing history under Internet options, and also some items under the History option on the MSN Explorer toolbar.  A couple of items are common to both places, others are not.  Would a trojan horse allow someone to remotely access these sites, then leave a history on our computer in this manner?

Answer
Hi Michelle,

Yes, that is possible. Have you checked for viruses and/or spyware? Using Internet Explorer, go to:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Click the GO button, then under Virus Detection, click Start. You might be told that you need to download and install ActiveX Controls for the scan to work, answer Yes.

Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to: http://www.symantec.com/search/  and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.

I would also suggest downloading Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.5.2 from:

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html

Check for updates before running scan.

Hope this helps!
Lorry