Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 4/2/2005

Question
I have a Dell laptop Inspiron 1100 with Windows XP. I have recently been getting multiple pop-ups and have a browser hi jacker. My Microsoft AntiSpyware detects this highjacker, but can not delete it. There is a program I found on Windows task manager that is called ievs.exe that will not allow me to shut it off when I click the END PROCESS button on PRCESSES tab in Windows Task Manager. The program just pops right back up in a different spot. Not sure if this is the problem or not.

I also get continuous warnings that my browser is trying to be changed from the Microsoft Anti Spyware.

Do you have any suggestions or can you recommend the latest Anti spyware/Anti Virus software to clean this up and get my computer back to running normal?

Thanks for your help.

Todd Mundt


Answer
For instant free help, try Ad-aware,
http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware In addition, if you are more of a power user, you can install BHODemon. It is free from http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm It enables you to control the "browser helper objects" of Internet Explorer (IE). Adware and spyware and some viruses and worms exploit IE.

Before running them, disable System Restore. Nasty programs can hide there because System Restore doesn't let antivirus or antispyware repair anything in System Restore.

How to disable or enable System Restore in Windows XP:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2001111912274039?OpenDo...

Another solution is to stop using Internet Explorer. It is exceptionally vulnerable to evil programs of all sorts. You can get Firefox free from Mozilla.org, and a related email program, Thnderbird, from the same website.