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Please help, have I been hijacked?

Unread postby nige52 » December 17th, 2006, 10:04 am

After changing web hosts, I try to upload my site, http://www.postcardfromspain.com using Frontpage to my new host. I cannot do this as my user and password don't work. My host has tried to upload and is successful and has even put a webpage at the address. All I see is a blank white page. I've tried everything I can think of to clean my computer using the usual anti spyware and antivirus programs but nothing happens. I think my browser has been hijacked, here is my logfile.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 14:55:27, on 17/12/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\SlySoft\AnyDVD\AnyDVD.exe
C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\LogiTray.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Nokia\NOKIAP~1\LAUNCH~1.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\PcSync2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LVComS.exe
C:\Program Files\FinePixViewer\QuickDCF.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Nokia\MPAPI\MPAPI3s.exe
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead Photo Express 3.0 SE\CalCheck.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ntvdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\PCSuite\Services\ServiceLayer.exe
C:\Program Files\Outlook Express\msimn.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\Program Files\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://uk.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O1 - Hosts: 80.175.28.165 http://www.postcardfromspain.com
O1 - Hosts: 80.175.28.165 postcardfromspain.com
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AnyDVD] C:\Program Files\SlySoft\AnyDVD\AnyDVD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Picasa Media Detector] C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechVideoRepair] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\ISStart.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LogitechVideoTray] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Video\LogiTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCSuiteTrayApplication] C:\PROGRA~1\Nokia\NOKIAP~1\LAUNCH~1.EXE -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [REGSHAVE] C:\Program Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [PcSync] C:\Program Files\Nokia\Nokia PC Suite 6\PcSync2.exe /NoDialog
O4 - Startup: Event Reminder.lnk = C:\Program Files\Mindscape\PrintMaster\PMREMIND.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Exif Launcher.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Ulead Photo Express 3.0 SE Calendar Checker.lnk = C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead Photo Express 3.0 SE\CalCheck.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &ieSpell Options - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLOPTION.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: Check &Spelling - res://C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll/SPELLCHECK.HTM
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell - {0E17D5B7-9F5D-4fee-9DF6-CA6EE38B68A8} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: ieSpell Options - {1606D6F9-9D3B-4aea-A025-ED5B2FD488E7} - C:\Program Files\ieSpell\iespell.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Share in Hello - {B13B4423-2647-4cfc-A4B3-C7D56CB83487} - C:\Program Files\Hello\PicasaCapture.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Share in H&ello - {B13B4423-2647-4cfc-A4B3-C7D56CB83487} - C:\Program Files\Hello\PicasaCapture.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chat - http://us.chat1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/ ... 1/chat.cab
O16 - DPF: YExplorer1_8US.CAB - http://photos.groups.yahoo.com/ocx/us/y ... r1_8us.cab
O16 - DPF: {01FE8D0A-51AD-459B-B62B-85E135128B32} (DD_v4.DDv4) - http://www.drivershq.com/DD_v4.CAB
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {0EB0E74A-2A76-4AB3-A7FB-9BD8C29F7F75} (CKAVWebScan Object) - http://www.kaspersky.com/kos/eng/partne ... nicode.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {2B323CD9-50E3-11D3-9466-00A0C9700498} (Yahoo! Audio Conferencing) - http://us.chat1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/ ... acscom.cab
O16 - DPF: {31E68DE2-5548-4B23-88F0-C51E6A0F695E} (Microsoft PID Sniffer) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/odc.cab
O16 - DPF: {66D393D5-4D80-497C-9F4F-F3839E090202} (PlayerOCX Control) - http://www.pysoft.com/Downloads/WebCamPlayerOCX.cab
O16 - DPF: {6BEA1C48-1850-486C-8F58-C7354BA3165E} (Install Class) - http://updates.lifescapeinc.com/install ... nstall.cab
O16 - DPF: {7F8C8173-AD80-4807-AA75-5672F22B4582} (ICSScanner Class) - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/promot ... r37380.cab
O16 - DPF: {917623D1-D8E5-11D2-BE8B-00104B06BDE3} (CamImage Class) - http://80.32.184.140:5050/activex/AxisCamControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {A90A5822-F108-45AD-8482-9BC8B12DD539} (Crucial cpcScan) - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/MsnMe ... loader.cab
O16 - DPF: {B9191F79-5613-4C76-AA2A-398534BB8999} (YAddBook Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.c ... mplete.cab
O16 - DPF: {E36C5562-C4E0-4220-BCB2-1C671E3A5916} (Seagate SeaTools English Online) - http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/asp ... atools.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/bin/msnchat45.cab
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\PCSuite\Services\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

Thanks in advance,
Nige
nige52
Regular Member
 
Posts: 34
Joined: November 27th, 2006, 6:28 am
Location: Spain
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Unread postby Kimberly » December 17th, 2006, 10:55 am

Hello Nige,

A Hosts File acts as a DNS server and according to your hosts file, the domain is located at 80.175.28.165. But when I do a lookup on http://www.postcardfromspain.com I get the following results :

Address lookup
canonical name postcardfromspain.com.
aliases http://www.postcardfromspain.com

addresses 216.16.246.188


So, ... Run HijackThis, click on None of the above, just start the program, click on Scan. Put a check in the box on the left side of the following items if still present:

O1 - Hosts: 80.175.28.165 http://www.postcardfromspain.com
O1 - Hosts: 80.175.28.165 postcardfromspain.com

orphan entry to fix

O16 - DPF: {7F8C8173-AD80-4807-AA75-5672F22B4582} (ICSScanner Class) -


Close ALL windows and browsers except HijackThis and click Fix Checked

If your new webhost is recent, it may take some time before your ISP does update it's DNS servers. You might need to put the IP of your new website in the Hosts file like postcardfromspain.com was in your Hosts file.

Make sure that ZoneAlarm isn't blocking anything either.

Kim
User avatar
Kimberly
MRU Teacher Emeritus
 
Posts: 3505
Joined: June 15th, 2005, 12:57 am

Unread postby nige52 » December 17th, 2006, 11:34 am

Kim,
Thank you for your very quick response and help. I've done as you've said and YIPPEE! Everything appears to be in working order and now I can log in and upload my site, which I'm doing right now.
Thanks again
Nigel
nige52
Regular Member
 
Posts: 34
Joined: November 27th, 2006, 6:28 am
Location: Spain

Unread postby Kimberly » December 17th, 2006, 12:24 pm

You're welcome Nigel, glad to hear that you can access the site now. :)

Couple of tips for a clean and secure computer.

Windows, Internet Explorer and Microsoft Office Updates

Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site frequently. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.

If you are running Microsoft Office, or any application of it, go to the Microsoft's Office Update site and make sure you have at least all the critical updates installed.

If you have trouble with Windows Update, you still can get all the Critical Updates, Security Fixes and Service Packs. Below are a few links to bookmark.

Microsoft Security Bulletins
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/current.aspx

Office downloads
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/offic ... fault.aspx

Download Center
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx

Microsoft Security Advisories
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... fault.mspx

Recently Published
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... fault.mspx

Make your Internet Explorer more secure
  1. From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
  2. Click on the Security tab
  3. Click the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
  4. Click on Default Level and click Ok
  5. Click on the Custom Level button.
    • Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
    • Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
    • Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
    • Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
    • Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
    • Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
    • Internet Explorer 7 users : Check all other items and make sure that they meet the (recommended) setting when applies.
    • When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
    • If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
  6. Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
Take the time to check out the following links

Introduction to Internet Explorer 7
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx

Internet Explorer 7 features
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie7 ... fault.mspx

Release Notes for Internet Explorer 7
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/aa740486.aspx
These Release Notes give you information about installing Internet Explorer® 7 and contain information about known issues and possible workarounds for those issues.

Internet Explorer 7 Ressources - In Depth Articles - Known Issues ...
http://www.ie-vista.com/

Internet Explorer7 - Phishing Filter Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/ ... g/faq.mspx

Resources for using Internet Explorer 6
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=867470

How to Configure Enhanced Security Features for Internet Explorer from Windows XP SP2
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/securi ... secxp.mspx

Safety Home
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/default.mspx

IEBlog
http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/default.aspx

Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwa ... ilies.mspx

Keep your Sun Java up to date

The most current version of Sun Java is: Java Runtime Environment Version 6.0
http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp
  • Scroll down to where it says "Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 6".
  • Click the "Download" button to the right.
  • Check the box that says: "Accept License Agreement".
  • The page will refresh.
  • Click on the link to download Windows Offline Installation with or without Multi-language and save to your desktop.
  • Close any programs you may have running - especially your web browser.
  • Go to Start > Control Panel double-click on Add/Remove programs and remove all older versions of Java.
  • Check any item with Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2SE) in the name.
  • Click the Remove or Change/Remove button.
  • Repeat as many times as necessary to remove each Java versions.
  • Reboot your computer once all Java components are removed.
  • Then from your desktop double-click on jre-6-windows-i586.exe to install the newest version.
And in the future, remember to remove older versions of Java when you update to a newer version to avoid exploitation of older versions left on your system.

Check out these topics for more information:
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=17910
http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=17598

Free programs that may help you in keeping the PC clean
  • SpywareBlaster
    SpywareBlaster will add a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
    You can download SpywareBlaster here
    A tutorial can be found here
  • SpywareGuard
    It provides a degree of real-time protection solution against spyware that is a great addition to SpywareBlaster's protection method. An anti-virus program scans files before you open them and prevents execution if a virus is detected - SpywareGuard does the same thing, but for spyware. And you can easily have an anti-virus program running alongside SpywareGuard. It also features Download Protection and Browser Hijacking Protection.
    You can download SpywareGuard here
    A tutorial can be found here
  • IE-SPYAD
    IE-SPYAD puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone, so you'll be protected when you visit innocent-looking sites that aren't actually innocent at all. It basically prevents any downloads, cookies, scripts from the sites listed, although you will still be able to connect to the sites.
    You can download IE-SPYAD here
    A tutorial can be found here
  • Hosts File
    A Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well known ad, spyware sites etc. Basically, this prevents your coputer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer.
    A tutorial tutorial can be found here
    • MVPS Hosts File
      You can download the MVPS Hosts File here
      Furthermore the website contains useful tips and links to other resources and utilities.
    • Bluetack's Hosts File and Hosts Manager
      Essentially based on the research made by Webhelper, Andrew Clover and Eric L. Howes, it contains most if not all the known spyware sites, sites responsible for hijacks, rogue apllications etc...
      Download Bluetack's Hosts file here
      Download Bluetack's HostsManager here
Free Spyware Detection and Removal Programs
  • Ad-Aware
    It scans for known spyware on your computer. These scans should be run at least once every two weeks.
    You can download Ad-Aware here
    A tutorial can be found here
  • Spybot - Search & Destroy
    It scans for spyware and other malicious programs. Spybot has preventitive tools that stop programs from even installing on your computer.
    You can download Spybot - S&D here
    A tutorial can be found here
Before adding any other Spyware Detection and Removal programs always check the Rogue Anti-Spyware List for programs known to be misleading, mistaken, or just outright "Foistware".
You will find the list here

AVG Anti-Spyware (formerly Ewido)

Realtime protection against these threats:
  • Hijackers and Spyware
    Secure surfing in the Internet without fear of annoying changes of the start page of your browser, tracking cookies and advertising bars.
  • Worms
    Nobody should receive e-mails in your name with malicious files in the appendix anymore.
  • Dialers
    Security against all kinds of dialers. No fear when receiving the next phone bill.
  • Trojans and Keyloggers
    No chance for thieves to steal your bank data and personal sensitive information by tapped Internet connections, remote controlled webcams or secret keyboard recordings.
Most of you will have already the trial version of this software, which is an excellent program and particularly good at catching trojans. If you find it useful you might want to consider buying the full program. When the trial period ends the following features will stop working:
  • Scheduled scans.
  • Real-time monitoring of the entire system.
  • Memory Scan detects active threats.
  • Self-protection at kernel layer guarantees gapless monitoring.
  • Automatic online-update.
The manual memory scan will work in the free version and you can manually update the definitions by clicking on the "Start Update" button under Manual update in the update module.

You can download AVG Anti-Spyware here
AVG Anti-Spyware manual updates.
Download the Full database to your Desktop or to your usual Download Folder and install it by double clicking the file. Make sure that AVG Anti-Spyware is closed before installing the update.

WinPatrol

WinPatrol uses a heuristic approach to detecting attacks and violations of your computing environment. Traditional security programs scan your hard drive searching for previously identified threats. WinPatrol takes snapshot of your critical system resources and alerts you to any changes that may occur without your knowledge. You'll be removing dangerous new programs while others download new reference files.
  • Detect & Neutralize Spyware.
  • Detect & Neutralize ADware.
  • Detect & Neutralize Viral infections.
  • Detect & Neutralize Unwanted IE Add-Ons.
  • Detect & Restore File Type Changes.
  • Automatically Filter Unwanted Cookies.
  • Avoid Start Page Hijacking.
  • Detect changes to HOSTS & critical system files.
  • Kill Multiple Tasks that replicate each other, in a single step!
  • Stop programs that repeatedly add themselves to your Startup List!
Starting with WinPatrol 9.5 PLUS users also get the addition of Real-time Infiltration Detection so they'll know immediately when changes are made to critical system areas. WinPatrol Free is not demo or trial software. You're welcome to use it as long as you like.
You can download WinPatrol here
WinPatrol FAQ

SiteHound by Firetrust

Firetrust introduces the SiteHound Toolbar - the safe way to browse the Internet. With SiteHound, when you browse the Internet, you're shown a warning page every time you go to a site which is a known scam, potentially loads viruses or spyware on to your computer, has questionable content or anything you would not consider reasonable. You are shown a warning page with information about that site. From there you can choose to enter the site or go back. SiteHound is a free add-on to Internet Explorer. (Users of Firefox - a version for you is coming soon.) SiteHound's comprehensive database gathers the knowledge from other users and respected experts from the online security community to tell you which sites are real and which are bogus.

SiteHound will alert you when you enter a site which is known to contain:
  • Fraudulent claims or scams
  • Offensive material
  • Security vulnerabilities
  • Spyware or Adware
  • Spam related material
  • or other content deemed to be unsafe
Specifically, SiteHound blocks these categories:

• Adult • Spyware • Spam Advertising • Phishing • Possible scam or fraud • Misleading or False Advertising
• Pharming • Rogue or Suspect Product • Adware • Malware or Virus

System Requirements:
Internet Explorer 5.5+ and Windows 95/98/NT 4/ME/2000/XP

Product Info & Download: SiteHound Toolbar

For advanced users : ProcessGuard

ProcessGuard blocks rootkits, prevents spyware, guards your computer from DLL trojans...
For more information take a moment to read the Introduction and the Known Attacks information pages.
You can download Process Guard here

For advanced users : System Safety Monitor

System Safety Monitor (SSM) allows you to track down Microsoft Windows operating system activity in real-time and to prevent undesirable actions from various malware and spyware programs. SSM's main goal is to discover and block malicious actions of any application.
For more information take a moment to read the Main features of the program.
You can download SSM here

Use an AntiVirus Software

It is very important that your computer has an anti-virus software running on your machine. This alone can save you a lot of trouble with malware in the future. See the link below for a listing of some online & their stand-alone antivirus programs.
Computer Safety On line - Anti-Virus
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=53#53

Update your Anti Virus Software

It is imperative that you update your Anti virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.

Use a Firewall

I can not stress enough how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. For an article on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below.
Computer Safety On line - Software Firewalls
http://www.malwareremoval.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=56#56
A tutorial on Understanding and Using Firewalls can be found here

Additional Information

For more information about Spyware, the tools available, and other informative material, including information on how you may have been infected in the first place, please check out this link.

A very nice collection of tutorials is available at Bleeping Computer
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/

Finally, after following up on all these recommendations, why not run Jason Levine's Browser Security Tests ?
They will provide you with an insight on how vulnerable you might still be to a number of common exploits.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/

Happy surf. :)

Kim
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Unread postby nige52 » December 18th, 2006, 10:21 am

Hi Kim,
Turned the computer on today and now all I get when trying to click on my website is 'The page cannot be displayed'
I've asked friends and they can see it, but I can't....the only difference from yesterday is then, I had the blank white page, today it's the Page cannot etc.
Nige
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Location: Spain

Unread postby Kimberly » December 18th, 2006, 10:37 am

Hello Nigel,

That sounds more like a DNS problem with your ISP.

Try this first.

Start > Run > type CMD.exe and hit enter.

Type the line below followed by enter

ipconfig /flushdns

Reboot and see if you can reach the site. If that does not work, open a CMD window again

Start > Run > type CMD.exe and hit enter

Type each line below followed by enter and let me know the results.

nslookup http://www.postcardfromspain.com

nslookup http://www.postcardfromspain.com cache00.ns.uu.net

Kim
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Unread postby nige52 » December 18th, 2006, 10:56 am

Hi Kim,

Here is what happened when I followed your instructions

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Nigel>nslooup http://www.postcardfromspain.com
'nslooup' is not recognized as an internal or external command,
operable program or batch file.

C:\Documents and Settings\Nigel>nslookup http://www.postcardfromspain.com
Server: dns.mad.iberbanda.es
Address: 217.11.96.234

*** dns.mad.iberbanda.es can't find http://www.postcardfromspain.com: Server failed

C:\Documents and Settings\Nigel>nslookup http://www.postcardfromspain.com cache00.ns.ne
t
*** Can't find server address for 'cache00.ns.net':
Server: dns.mad.iberbanda.es
Address: 217.11.96.234

DNS request timed out.
timeout was 2 seconds.
*** Request to dns.mad.iberbanda.es timed-out

C:\Documents and Settings\Nigel>

Thanks,
Nigel
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Joined: November 27th, 2006, 6:28 am
Location: Spain

Unread postby nige52 » December 18th, 2006, 11:07 am

Sorry,
I made a mistake, here is what it said the second time;

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Nigel>nslookup http://www.postcardfromspain.com cache00.ns.uu
.net
Server: cache00.ns.uu.net
Address: 198.6.1.1

Non-authoritative answer:
Name: postcardfromspain.com
Address: 216.16.246.188
Aliases: http://www.postcardfromspain.com


C:\Documents and Settings\Nigel>

Nige
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Location: Spain

Unread postby nige52 » December 18th, 2006, 12:26 pm

I don't know what's going on but, I attempted to click onto my CP and it actually connected, I then went to my website and it was there.........and I haven't done anything....?
Nige
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Posts: 34
Joined: November 27th, 2006, 6:28 am
Location: Spain

Unread postby Kimberly » December 18th, 2006, 2:14 pm

Your ISP's DNS server isn't working correctly (times out and / or fails). I often have the same issue with mine that's why I asked you to perform the nslookup for postcardfromspain.com using your ISP's DNS server which is dns.mad.iberbanda.es and an american server which is cache00.ns.uu.net. The american server resolves correctly.

C:\Documents and Settings\Nigel>nslookup http://www.postcardfromspain.com
Server: dns.mad.iberbanda.es
Address: 217.11.96.234

*** dns.mad.iberbanda.es can't find http://www.postcardfromspain.com: Server failed

There is not much you can do about it unfortunately, somtimes complaining at your ISP may help. That is if they are willing to listen. You can show them the output from nslookup. If you can't list a website, refresh the page. It often helps.

Also check the following :
  1. Click Start, click Control Panel, click Network and Internet Connections, and then click Network Connections.
  2. Right-click the network connection that you want to configure, and then click Properties.
  3. On the General tab (for a local area connection), or the Networking tab (for all other connections), click Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and then click Properties.
  4. If you want to obtain DNS server addresses from a DHCP server, click Obtain DNS server address automatically. <-- Make sure that this option is ticked.
Exit the properties page.

If not yet done, flush the DNS cache - see ipconfig /flushdns above.

Next, we can do the following until your ISP DNS servers are working correctly again :

Start > Run and copy/paste the follow line and click ok.

notepad C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\HOSTS

Notepad will open with your HOSTS file. You'll see some lines which are comments (they start with #)

Locate this line :

127.0.0.1 localhost

Append the following lines : (copy and paste them)

216.16.246.188 postcardfromspain.com
216.16.246.188 http://www.postcardfromspain.com


Should look like this :

127.0.0.1 localhost
216.16.246.188 postcardfromspain.com
216.16.246.188 http://www.postcardfromspain.com

In Notepad, File > Save
Close Notepad.

You now should have less difficulties to reach your site. If the site changes IP again, you will have to adjust them in your hosts file.

Kim
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Unread postby nige52 » December 19th, 2006, 4:41 am

Many thanks Kim!!
Hopefully I'm back on track again, you certainly know your stuff.
Thanks again
Nigel
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Posts: 34
Joined: November 27th, 2006, 6:28 am
Location: Spain

Unread postby Kimberly » December 19th, 2006, 12:20 pm

You're welcome Nigel and let's hope that you can work on your site now without any problems. :)

The IP being in the Hosts file, your computer shouldn't send a request to your ISP DNS server to resolve the domain, so normally that should work out very fine. I have a couple of problematic sites like that too and since I did add them to my Hosts file, I can reach them without any trouble at all.

I sincerely wish that your ISP will take some steps to resolve the DNS behavior, mine doesn't do anything to resolve the issue.

Take care,

Kim
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Unread postby Nellie2 » January 2nd, 2007, 8:02 pm

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