Computer question.

[Ohio8]

When I try to update my computer's spyware programs, I get error messages that say there's no Internet connection. That's wrong, because I do connect to the Internet!

What's the best way for me to solve this problem? I'm also having trouble reinstalling my Norton Antivirus 2006.

[Kay Scarpetta]

What kind of Spyware programs are you using? That could be the problem right there. Some of them out there are sketchy.

If you have Windows, try using Windows Defender.

[Penny Lane]

What kind of Spyware programs are you using? That could be the problem right there. Some of them out there are sketchy.

If you have Windows, try using Windows Defender.

:yeahthat Windows Defender is great!:D



Hey Karly! Hi! I missed you!:wave:

[robyrob]

there are several viruses and spywares out there that will disable your spyware-removal (and antivirus) programs' ability to update by changing the program itself, or by changing your Hosts file to redirect or block the ip address.

check to see if the Hosts file has been changed, or delete it in Safemode, and then install a spyware-blocking Hosts file (like Mike's Host file in my signature)

where the Hosts file is located depends on what version of Windows you are using, XP i think puts it in Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

run HijackThis and post a log here if you can

[Ohio8]

I have Windows XP. The spyware programs: AdAware Se, Spybot S&D, and Webroot's Spy Sweeper. I also have the free version of X-Cleaner.

[Kay Scarpetta]

I have Windows XP. The spyware programs: AdAware Se, Spybot S&D, and Webroot's Spy Sweeper. I also have the free version of X-Cleaner.


Not familiar with any of those except AdAware, which I find useless. Be careful... some spyware program screwed with my registry and I just got done reformatting my whole computer. You don't want to end up doing that, you lose everything.

Download Windows Defender. I also highly recommend Spyware Doctor. GREAT program, outrageous price. I just steal serial numbers because I'm poor and can't afford it. Anwyay, follow what robyrob said and post a HijackThis log. He can decipher them and I'm fairly decent at it as well.

[Kay Scarpetta]

Hey Karly! Hi! I missed you!:wave:

Hey Marlene! Great to see you still here :D

[Ohio8]

there are several viruses and spywares out there that will disable your spyware-removal (and antivirus) programs' ability to update by changing the program itself, or by changing your Hosts file to redirect or block the ip address.

check to see if the Hosts file has been changed, or delete it in Safemode, and then install a spyware-blocking Hosts file (like Mike's Host file in my signature)

where the Hosts file is located depends on what version of Windows you are using, XP i think puts it in Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

run HijackThis and post a log here if you can

How do I check the Hosts File?

[robyrob]

How do I check the Hosts File?
open your Start Menu, click on the Run command, and enter: notepad.exe "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts"

copy and paste it here

or just run Hijack this and click on the "Misc Tools" button, then "Open hosts file manager"


anything with an address of 127.0.0.1 is redirecting the internet address is being redirected BACK to your computer, and thus will not connect to the internet.

[Ohio8]

there are several viruses and spywares out there that will disable your spyware-removal (and antivirus) programs' ability to update by changing the program itself, or by changing your Hosts file to redirect or block the ip address.

check to see if the Hosts file has been changed, or delete it in Safemode, and then install a spyware-blocking Hosts file (like Mike's Host file in my signature)

where the Hosts file is located depends on what version of Windows you are using, XP i think puts it in Windows\System32\drivers\etc\

run HijackThis and post a log here if you can

Will this "log" do?

[robyrob]

that's what we need, but my eyes arent good enough to read that - if you click on the "Save Log" button it will open up Notepad with the log file in there.

press control + A to select all, control + C to copy, then paste it here.

[Ohio8]

I used a screen capture progarm here.

[MsOrange]

instead of taking a screen shot of that text file (the words in Notepad), highlight it all, go to edit > copy, then come back here and do a quick reply, and right click and click "paste"

[robyrob]

well, its hard to read any of that, but i don't see anything bad in there


install a new hosts file, click on this to download:

http://everythingisnt.com/NoAdHOSTS.exe

doubleclick on it, click yes, i agree, install, and close

reboot and try your programs again

this will OVERWRITE your existing hosts file, so if there is anything bad in there this should take care of it, if it will not let you change the hosts file, reboot into SAFEMODE and try it again.

if it still doesnt work, try downloading NEW versions of each program, disable your firewall, and then run your antispyware programs again in SAFEMODE

[Ohio8]

Guess what?? It was a virus that was causing all this grief!!! A few hours ago, I went to Symantec's website and downloaded an uninstaller tool -- I had to temporarily let ActiveX controls download here -- and uninstalled the Norton files, the rebooted and reinstalled Norton Antirus.

Once that was back it found and got rid of the "Downloader" virus. Thanks to all of you for your help.