Expert: Carolyn Meinel - 9/30/2005

Question
I dowloaded a game, Sillypool a couple of weeks ago from an e-mail.  I deleted the program later.

Since then my computer at times will start the dial up box at random times.  I have blocked it from connecting by disabling the dial automatically but despite efforts cannot find how to get rid of problem.  It only dials to local server.

I've have done anti virus check with my Norton which is automatically updated as well as spyware check with both Adware and Spybot but nothing is indicated.

I use Windows XP and all updates as they appear.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Answer
If the dialing only happens when you have your IE browser running, the program might be exploiting IE. In this case, you can try 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.

Alternatively, you could use a safer browser such as Firefox, free from http://www.mozilla.org In general, many worms, viruses, adware and spyware can only infect your computer through IE, so this could save you a lot of future grief.

Please let me know if this doesn't solve your problem, you may reach me at carolyn.meinel@techbroker.com.