Startpage Virus?

[dawsongirl]

Anyone know what that is and how you might get it? My ISP better not have given it to me.

[Chelsea]

To the best of my knowledge, it's a collection of viri (Various variants (Begin Techie)including a Trojan, a Java-based version, a JavaScript, a VB Script, and/or an Spyware/Adware File (end Technie) that change your startpage of Internet Explorer to whatever the payload (the main content) of the virus says to.

It'd be a good idea to run your preferred Spyware remover AND Antivirus program, and see what they say. Try removing all infected files, set your homepage back to your preferred page (if it's changed).

Your ISP?? For some reason, I have serious doubts a Service Provider (At least any of the reputable national ones) would try to send you a virus. What is your ISP anyway?

[dawsongirl]

Right now it's netzero. The only places I went last night were to my nz start page, my board, and here. One of them had to have given it to me.

[dawsongirl]

I just got it again! While I was here.

[Dutabi84]

Here's a little info on the Startpage virus..

http://www.rav.ro/virus/showvirus.php?v=114

[Chelsea]

I don't think your GETTING it at these places, I think that visiting various websites is just triggering the file already on your computer.

Like I said, run a virus checker, and Ad-Aware (It's possible that AAW might be able to knock it out), and try to clean it off.

[Dutabi84]

Avoiding installing 3rd party software from companies you've never heard of is the best way to avoid getting problems like this.

Just do the process of virus scanning, ad-aware checking, and delete all of the temporary internet files on your computer like Seth Thrasher said. If this doesn't fix it...I don't know what will!

[ConservativeBalla]

Okay, update! I've sort of made this a little more readable, added the recommendations, and added some more hints.

BE SURE THAT WHEN YOU GET THESE PROGRAMS TO TELL THEM TO CHECK FOR UPDATES WHEN YOU FIRST GET THEM, AS WELL AS PERIODICALLY ATER YOU GET THEM!!! Make sure you have, AND KEEP FREQUENTLY UPDATED these things:

A Virus Scanner - I recommend McAfee Viruscan. Don't forget to check for updates EVERY day! (BTW, how does everyone pronounce "McAfee"? I say "MA("A" as in "Apple")-kuh-fee", but I've heard people say, "Muh-KAF-ee".)

A Firewall - I recommend McAfee Firewall. Update it, but it doesn't update near as much as the Virus Scanner.

Program that finds/deletes "Spyware/Adware" (Which is baaaad stuff) - I recommend "Spybot, Search and Destroy", "Ad-Aware", and "SpySubtract". Go to " http://www.download.com " to get "SpyBot" and "Ad-Aware", and these two are free forever. SpySubtract you can get at www.adsubtract.com , and it's a 30-Day Free Trial. ("AdSubtract" is a cool program too; it stops pop-ups and banners on websites; it works very well.)

Other tips after you get these:

1. Don't use "KaZaA" or any other file-sharing program to download full versions of Virus Scanners/Firewalls, just go spend the 40 - 50 bucks and do it right. Like with the registering and everything. The Spyware/Adware removal programs are free, so I guess you can get them from KaZaA. I wouldn't, though. I'd still go to their websites and get them.

2. Be sure to run the Spyware/Adware scanner, and the Virus Scanner to scan your computer at least once a week. I'd do the Spyware/Adware Removal program scanner at least once a day, especially before and after using the Internet.

3. Make sure your Virus Scanner and Firewall are always running, ESPECIALLY if you are on the Internet. MORE ESPECIALLY if you have any sort of an "Always on" Internet connection such as Cable, DSL, Satellite, etc. And MOST ESPECIALLY have them both on if you're using any File-sharing network such as "KaZaA".

4. Use your "Scandisk" and "Disk Defragmenter" at least once a week.

5. If you don't need your Cookies, go to all your "Temporary Internet Files" folders, and delete EVERYTHING there. Some cookies are used to remember User Names/Passwords for you on Message Boards and other sites, so if you need some cookies, see if you can find which ones you need and which you don't, and delete the ones you don't need.

6. If you have ANY programs or files on your computer that you do not want, or do not use, get rid of it! The process you should use to get rid of them/it is this:

A. See of they have an "Uninstall", and use IT.

B. Whether it DOES or does NOT have an "Uninstall", go to your Start Menu, then "Settings", then "Control Panel", and go into "Add/Remove Programs". Check stuff you want to get rid of there and tell it to get rid of them.

C. After you do both/either of these (Or if neither displays the program you're trying to get rid of) go to "Start", "Find all Files and Folders", and type in the name of the program. Make sure you set it to search "My Computer" so it checks everywhere. When it finds it, delete it, then delete it out of your Recycle Bin, if you have one.

D. THIS NEXT PART DEALS WITH THE BACKBONE OF YOUR SYSTEM, SO BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL WHILE USING THIS METHOD, AND I TAKE NO REPONSIBILITY FOR SYSTEM DAMAGE! Okay, now, go to "Start", "Run", and type in " regedit " and press "OK". It brings up a little window with a few folders. These folders contain files that are on your computer, and even ones you might've deleted! And fragments of different programs, as well. Double-click on "My Computer" so it searches everything, click "Edit", then "Find". Type in what you want to search for and press "Find Next". When it finds something matching what you typed in, MAKE SURE IT'S THE EXACT PROGRAM/FILE YOU WANTED TO DELETE, AND THAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING ELSE BEFORE DELETING IT!

E. This particular thing ought to be completely off your system now.

Good luck with your comp., and stay tuned in case I think of any more tips/hints!

[dawsongirl]

Well Ad-Aware froze a couple times while running, but I think that did the trick.