<font color=skyblue>I discovered the three files that need to be removed from the system in order to clean up the problem. Even though I had worked around getting my start page back to normal, the trojans were still on my computer. I did not realize that until today. This is what they were.<font color=goldenrod>

Virus:Trj/StartPage.FH
C:\WINDOWS\notepad.exe.tmp



Virus:Trj/StartPage.FH
C:\WINDOWS\system32\moflp.dll



Virus:Trj/StartPage.FH
C:\WINDOWS\system32\moflpj.dll </font>

Do a Google search on the name of this trojan to learn more about it.</font>

[ 08-06-2004, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: Larry_OHF ]

cant it be removed with regular antivirus and spyware programs?

<font color=skyblue>I detected it and removed it with : http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan

None of my spyware searchers/blockers caught it.
Only this program (link) did.

</font>

Thanks Larry. I don`t have any Anti-Virus protection and this one seems very good. I have just started to scan my comp. Thanks again! I owe you this big time. [img]graemlins/thumbsup.gif[/img]

Trojans/worms/virus - use antivirus

spyware/hijackers - use anti-spyware

So basically if you have a problem run them both. Larry posted some links to Housecall, which is pretty good, and Panda in another thread. Use them if you don't have an antivirus. The following AV are free:

AVG antivirus
Avast! antivirus
Antivir
Bitdefender
VCatch

Don't forget to get a firewall while you're at it! It is as important as a good antivirus. Some free good ones:
Kerio Personal Firewall
Outpost Firewall
Sygate Personal Firewall

Sheesh, that wasn't the funniest thing to do. ;)

I'll add one more firewall to Willow's list... Zone Labs' ZoneAlarm. I use it on my home PC, and the personal edition is free. They let you try the Pro edition, though, and it adds a lot... 'course, every time they send an update, they give me another try of Pro :D I may be licensing it soon.

I said free good ones. [img]tongue.gif[/img] Zonealarm is sadly lacking in some areas. Forgot to mention that none of the firewalls that I mentioned have any autoscans for applications. You need to configure the firewall yourself (a huge bonus IMO). However, if you feel that that would be too hard go with zonealarm.

Thanks Willow. Are those AV programs good? Reliable?

Educate, please, dear Willow. What do you find that ZA is lacking? If I'm not using a good (or good enough) tool, I'd just as soon change it.

Cheers Larry, that scan was really useful. It found 11 viruses that I didn't even know I had.

you know, we should make a sticky with a whole bunch of links for spyware and antivirus free online scanning and stuff to save you guys the hassle of retyping it all the time. thanks btw. ;)

Larry: is it safe to just delete these files?

<font color=skyblue>I removed them, and nothing bad has happened, if that is what you mean. If they have control of your browser, you'll just have to reasign the homepage is all.</font>

I use Zone Alarm Pro and i highly recommend it, even the free version is great, I’ve got nothing bad to say against zone alarm, it protects efficiently and reliably, although it sometimes screws up the program list, that is the programs i have given internet rites, which is annoying, but other than that, go with zone alarm.

[ 08-07-2004, 10:56 AM: Message edited by: Intrepid ]

You don't get IP-blocking, which is VERY nifty when dealing with virus infected computers. You get safety zones, a bunch of *bad word* that interferes with normal internet activity etc. Sure it's handy very handy if you simply want install and surf wihtout having to do anything yourself (Norton's firewall is also one of these). But if you want a firewall that doesn't interfere unless you specifically tell it to, then ZA is not for you. If I were to recommend a free one, go with Outpost. It's user friendly and very, very good! Oh and it beats the dang out of Zonelarm. [img]smile.gif[/img]

If you want to invest in a firewall get outpost pro or Sygate pro. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Edit: Ooopsie, wrong quote.

[ 08-07-2004, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: WillowIX ]

ZA Pro has IP blocking.

I also don't understand what you mean about ZA being obtrusive. Once you've set it up, ZA is very unobtrusive - unless a piece of software is trying to access the internet without your knowledge. That kind of obtrusive I want.

Hmmm... so far, you haven't convinced me, Willow. ZA has, among its zones, a Blocked Zone. I can take that IP and stick it in there, and if I decide to like it later, I can move it back.

I have noticed that the privacy control thing is really annoying, but I turn it on and tell it to hide itself. It stops bothering me then, and keeps on working.

Soooo.... what else am I missing? Pray tell... I'd rather be smart than right [img]smile.gif[/img]

thanks larry, when i finally did a search it actually caught 10 viruses hiding in my computer.

Only delete those files Larry say, dont overdo the thing about viruses they are pretty rare anyway, i use a virus scan IF i think i have it and in most 99% i dont have it so in 15 years i got only 4 viruses om my computer.
Only thing to remember is to NOT i say NOT open any attachment mails if you dont know the person who sendt it.
So those Zonealarm and thingys is annoying you dont get any viruses browsing the net and posting like here and i also turn of the broadband modem when i'm not on the net that is secure as hell!
And not all you find with virus scanner is viruses it is spyware they remove those too the virus scanners so don't worry if Norton (virusprogram) or a spyware progran like AdAware find 100 thingies it is only spyware thingys that are not any dangerous only annoying and slow down your computer :D

So use the Spybot and AdAware once in the week then you are pretty safe and viruscanners ONLY if you think you have one not all the time that is time vasted!

Zonealarm?? sheesh get rid of it asap only crap it dont do nothing good exept make you feel more safe and it dont i have seen the code it uses and it is SO easy no way to use it is only humbug !! :D

So the thing is turn of the modem when you are not online then turn it on when you are thinking browsing the net simple as that.


I also rekomand you to use the "spam" filter in Hotmail if you use Hotmail it is wery good! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ 08-08-2004, 05:59 AM: Message edited by: Megabot ]