Jason, Sounds like you know your way around a keyboard. Maybe you can help me with this one. I just downloaded both ad-aware and spybot and ran them both. They came up with about 20 spyware programs between the 2 of them but didn't cure this particular problem.

When I run MSIE, it always sets itself to this homepage - res://gbzrn.dll/index.html#96676 which is some obnoxious "search" page. I change my home page preference, click OK and then the next time I open MSIE, it is back to the gbzrn.dll. I did a search and found this gbzrn.dll file and deleted it from my hard drive, but after I rebooted, it was back. It's not too big of a deal because I just downloaded Netscape and am using that, but I just hate the idea that this stupid adware is co-opting my computer.

Any ideas?

(BTW, Thanks, I got the tools in the mail Saturday.)

 

Ok, was able to fix my problems by doing a system restore back to last week. Whew, this was a nasty one. Here is a thread on this particular highjack program. I think I am good to go.

http://www.computing.net/security/ww...rum/12346.html

 

Chris,
Sorry I didn't get to this earlier... but I'm glad you got the problem whipped. I've worked in IT for the last 6 years, both as a PC tech and a Systems Admin, so I know a thing or two, although I would never claim to know it all in this ever-changing field. I have seen similar bogus search engine things quite a few times over the last couple of years... and that was quite a thread on the solutions for the one you had! Many times, I've found that by searching the registry, there are numerous entries containing the problematic address. By either deleting the entries, or (preferably) changing them to legit entries such as Google or whatever search engine you prefer to use, you can get back to normal. Let me know if you have further problems, I'll be glad to help in any way I can.

BTW, did you get your tools back yet? I mailed them late last week, and again I apologize for taking so dang long I'll send a pic once I get around to washing my filthy truck... don't want to take a shot of it while it's sooo dirty!

 

I have posted this link in the past but not sure if it was on this board or not but you can't go wrong by spending some time here,most everything is free too. Ron

http://grc.com/default.htm

 

Jason, yes, I got the tools on Saturday. Thanks. A neighbor's friend who has a '04 CTD saw my truck parked outside a couple of weeks ago and asked about the H2 wheels. I told him that I got them off ebay and paid $535. Once I described the mods I did, he said he would pay me to do the same. I threw out a price of $800 for the package and he thought that was fair. He needs to come up with the cash but hey, at $250 profit, there might be a nice little side business for me.

 

Have just read this thread. Recently I needed to upgrade my virus protection and did some research to find the best system. It appeared that McAfee was currently the best, (better than Norton) so installed it. If my research showed that to be better than Norton, why has nobody mentioned it here? So far I find it much better than Norton which I had used for years. Anybody want to comment about how good/bad McAfee is?

 

Its a question of timing and choice.
Norton is part of Symantec. Symantec is a very large company offering a wide range of products for security and protection.
This often means that they can devote more talent and resources to keeping up with the most current release of internet/email viruses.

On the other hand, McAfee is a smaller company that does not hold the quantity of resources that Symantec does.
This can be both good and bad.
Being a smaller company that has it main product in virus detection and protection often means that they can focus on their best product and provide the customer better means of virus protection than the big guys.

A true case of competition leading to better and better products.

Which is better?
It depends on the circumstance, end user, and time.
Today, McAfee may have the easiest to use, most accurate product. Tomorrow, it may be Norton.

I use Norton due to their module building ability. I use Norton's anti virus which is part of my Norton System Works. This plugs very nicely into the Norton Personal Firewall.

Its a matter of choice convenience and timing.

 

Yeah, what he said!

We use Symantec here @ work, but I've used both Norton and McAfee at home in the past with about equal results.

Also, for those of you who don't yet have a dedicated antivirus program installed, but want to scan your system, TrendMicro has a free system scan you can run...

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

 

I must say that I'm very content with the trendmicro stuff. (Usually on a CD with the mainboards I sell). It's fast and it's good in detecting viruses. (As long as you do the updates or at least allow the program to do the updates)
I had good results with norton and horrible results with mcaffee.

Just my 2c

AlpineRAM

 

Wow!!

Used the new high speed for two days then went out of town for work. (Computer was turned off) Got back today an guess what...I ALREADY GOT SPYWARE!!! Can't believe it! 10 years on dialup, no spyware and two minor virus infections - 2 DAYS on high speed and WHAM!

I restored my XP to a previous date B.C. (before cablemodem) and everything is again OK. I guess I will be getting a firewall sooner than I thought. The restore function in XP is pretty amazing, just wish I didn't have to use it so soon.

Beware the evils of cyberspace, I am now a believer!