Small, but infuriating computer problem

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally posted by fotze@Apr 5 2005, 12:15 AM
Back up your bookmarks if you are using firefox. Whenenver I decide to start saving my bookmarks and get a good list together, pow, gone. But saying anything anti-firefox is like being a goodenow supporter.

EXACT same thing happened to me. Then it happened again. Then I uninstalled Firefox permanently from my machine.

[Wolfwood]

Originally posted by Displaced Flames fan+Apr 4 2005, 09:42 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Displaced Flames fan @ Apr 4 2005, 09:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteBegin-fotze@Apr 5 2005, 12:15 AM
Back up your bookmarks if you are using firefox. Whenenver I decide to start saving my bookmarks and get a good list together, pow, gone. But saying anything anti-firefox is like being a goodenow supporter.

EXACT same thing happened to me. Then it happened again. Then I uninstalled Firefox permanently from my machine.[/b][/quote]
The same thing happened to me. It's not happened in a while and I still use firefox but that is one of the most annoying bugs that I've ever had to deal with.

As far as the problem goes I would download CWShredder and run that. I'm thinking that it might be a variant of the CoolWebSearch problem. Available from this link that was mentioned above: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

hopefully that will help.

[BlackArcher101]

Use hijackthis to stop the spyware from starting automatically, run ad-aware to remove the spyware, then install firefox. That's all there is to it.

[Coolsurfer79]

Originally posted by Wolfwood+Apr 4 2005, 08:13 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Wolfwood @ Apr 4 2005, 08:13 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

EXACT same thing happened to me. Then it happened again. Then I uninstalled Firefox permanently from my machine.

The same thing happened to me. It's not happened in a while and I still use firefox but that is one of the most annoying bugs that I've ever had to deal with.

As far as the problem goes I would download CWShredder and run that. I'm thinking that it might be a variant of the CoolWebSearch problem. Available from this link that was mentioned above: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

hopefully that will help. [/b][/quote]
Listen to this guy ans downnload cwshredder. I had the exact same problem as you and this program fixed it.

[shoestring]

Quote from Photon;
"And take anything you read on the grc site with a BIG grain of salt. His site is sensationalist and full of half truths and hyperbole. He's proven himself to be pretty much a self proclaimed security "expert" with no real knowledge."

Maybe this is true to some Photon but his site explains everything even for an idiot like me and when I shut down the ports I was talking about (137,8 and 9). I was able to regain control of my comp.
I have done this on many peoples computers and voila ,no viruses.

I think that many $99.95 virus removal experts are sensationalist and full of half truths and hyperbole and won't help you fix your comp or send you to the proper sites to do the same for free. Or they have proven themselves to themselves to be pretty much a self proclaimed security "experts" with no real knowledge.

I know why Microsoft has these ports but most homeusers don't need them.
Take the test yourself.
Study the pings and connections some hacker is making to your computer before and after with your free "one month Pro Zone Alarm"
Read the writers at this link on his site.
http://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh1akydu

I clicked on this one
http://www.nwfusion.com/archive/1999...schwartau.html
But he might not know much either.
You want a cheap permanent firewall, by a router,no yearly fees.
But install the others ,keep them updated and run them once a day.

[Buff]

If Ad-Aware doesn't take care of the problem run Hijack This. I don't recommend running Hijack this without getting help from somebody who knows what they are doing. Well you can run it but don't clean anything without the advice from a professional. Whoever it was who told you to PM them should be fine, or you can PM me too if you need to use Hijack This.

Edit: I didn't pay attention to the original post and didn't see that Ad-Aware was scanned 3 times. Have you updated Ad-Aware lately? Make sure that it is Ad-Aware SE, and make sure that you are using the latest reference files. It sounds like Hijack This may be able to clean it. If not then perhaps the CWShredder is what you need. Give Hijack This a try if you can get a hold of somebody who has experience with it, like me or the other fella.

[Buff]

Originally posted by Shawnski@Apr 4 2005, 03:46 PM
After you try the above suggestions (and if you are keeping IE), download "hijackthis", run it, and PM me the results. There may be other crap in your registry that is causing (or may cause) problems.

IE works just fine for me. With a freeware Zone Alarm firewall, plus "Cookiewall", plus the odd scan with Spybot and Ad-Aware, I have had next to no problems in the last couple years, and the couple that came through were quickly identified and addressed. That said, I do NOT download music files, which are notorious for allowing trojans to access your computer.

Not true with the music downloads... well kinda. It all depends on the program you use to download the music. Kazaa is one of the notorious critters you are referring to, although I've not used it in two years, but the last time I checked it out I got loads of spyware. I've used WinMx for a couple of years now and have had no problems with spyware or trojans. My computer has been free of all the bugs for two years now, it is just a matter of knowing what programs to use, and which programs and sites and emails to avoid. Unfortunately the Internet isn't a great place for safety from all this garbage if you aren't a true "computer geek".

I can speak until I'm blue in the face about computer safety yet people won't listen or soon forget and go back to their old ways. Yet, I still try as you can see.

[Buff]

Originally posted by shoestring@Apr 4 2005, 08:57 PM

You want a cheap permanent firewall, by a router,no yearly fees.

True. You don't really need a software firewall if you have a router. It is added security if you do have the software firewall, but it is almost getting redundant. If you have Windows XP it already comes with a firewall, don't bother to get ZoneAlarm or others if you have XP and a router, that would be just redundantly redundant.\

Don't be paranoid like my friend. I told him to buy a router and he doesn't have to worry about anything else if he doesn't want to. The guy didn't listen to me, he bought a router and installed two different firewalls. I'm amazed that his computer runs with the two firewalls and one virus scanner working. He claims that he had two virus scanners running but took one off because his computer was running too slow. I don't believe him on the 2 scanners.

[Buff]

Originally posted by Displaced Flames fan+Apr 4 2005, 07:42 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Displaced Flames fan @ Apr 4 2005, 07:42 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-fotze@Apr 5 2005, 12:15 AM
Back up your bookmarks if you are using firefox. Whenenver I decide to start saving my bookmarks and get a good list together, pow, gone. But saying anything anti-firefox is like being a goodenow supporter.

EXACT same thing happened to me. Then it happened again. Then I uninstalled Firefox permanently from my machine. [/b][/quote]
That is really whack. I never heard of that before the 2 or 3 guys here mentioned it. For the people who don't have Firefox but where thinking of trying it out, but were worried because of the people claiming it loses their bookmarks, I will say this. I've been using Mozilla products for about 2 years or more and I've never had this problem. I have used Firefox since version 0.7 and I haven't had this problem. I haven't heard of this problem from any of my friend who use Firefox either, so I would say that even though 3 CPers have had this problem that it isn't very common.

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by Buff+Apr 5 2005, 04:19 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Buff @ Apr 5 2005, 04:19 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-shoestring@Apr 4 2005, 08:57 PM

You want a cheap permanent firewall, by a router,no yearly fees.

True. You don't really need a software firewall if you have a router. It is added security if you do have the software firewall, but it is almost getting redundant. If you have Windows XP it already comes with a firewall, don't bother to get ZoneAlarm or others if you have XP and a router, that would be just redundantly redundant.\

Don't be paranoid like my friend. I told him to buy a router and he doesn't have to worry about anything else if he doesn't want to. The guy didn't listen to me, he bought a router and installed two different firewalls. I'm amazed that his computer runs with the two firewalls and one virus scanner working. He claims that he had two virus scanners running but took one off because his computer was running too slow. I don't believe him on the 2 scanners. [/b][/quote]
My internet connection is through 2 routers (1 wired, 1 wireless) with NAT and XP firewall, plus MS Anti-Spyware resident shield, Spybot resident shield, and McAfee ActiveShield. I have no problems whatsoever with IE 6 and my machine runs at top efficiency on 512MB of RAM. While at school I use UofC Wireless VPN.

[Buff]

Originally posted by Incinerator+Apr 4 2005, 09:26 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Incinerator @ Apr 4 2005, 09:26 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

True. You don't really need a software firewall if you have a router. It is added security if you do have the software firewall, but it is almost getting redundant. If you have Windows XP it already comes with a firewall, don't bother to get ZoneAlarm or others if you have XP and a router, that would be just redundantly redundant.\

Don't be paranoid like my friend. I told him to buy a router and he doesn't have to worry about anything else if he doesn't want to. The guy didn't listen to me, he bought a router and installed two different firewalls. I'm amazed that his computer runs with the two firewalls and one virus scanner working. He claims that he had two virus scanners running but took one off because his computer was running too slow. I don't believe him on the 2 scanners.

My internet connection is through 2 routers (1 wired, 1 wireless) with NAT and XP firewall, plus MS Anti-Spyware resident shield, Spybot resident shield, and McAfee ActiveShield. I have no problems whatsoever with IE 6 and my machine runs at top efficiency on 512MB of RAM. While at school I use UofC Wireless VPN. [/b][/quote]
Not bad. You should be pretty secure. Although I absolutely despise McAfee. You probably don't need to run MS and S&D at the same time, specially if McAfee has spyware protection, that is getting to be a bit redundant, but if it doesn't affect your computers performance and your mind is at ease, then I guess its ok.

My friend is running an ancient computer with Windows 98, I'd be surprised if he has more than 128 MB RAM. His problem though, is he broke up with his girlfriend and he is afraid that she is going to find somebody to hack into his computer. He also thought the same with the girl he broke up with before this girl.

[photon]

Originally posted by shoestring+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (shoestring)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> Maybe this is true to some Photon but his site explains everything even for an idiot like me and when I shut down the ports I was talking about (137,8 and 9). I was able to regain control of my comp. I have done this on many peoples computers and voila ,no viruses. [/b]

Don't get me wrong, I didn't say everything he says is un-true. But his information isn't complete and it's possible for people to draw a false sense of security based on some of the things he says. Even in your example, closing those three ports protects you from maybe 0.001% of all viruses...

Everyone should have a firewall to block ALL ports they don't specifically want opened.

Originally posted by shoestring@
I think that many $99.95 virus removal experts are sensationalist and full of half truths and hyperbole and won't help you fix your comp or send you to the proper sites to do the same for free. Or they have proven themselves to themselves to be pretty much a self proclaimed security "experts" with no real knowledge.

I agree, and if we were talking about them I'd say as much.. but they weren't mentioned, Gibson was.

<!--QuoteBegin-shoestring
I know why Microsoft has these ports but most homeusers don't need them.
Take the test yourself.
Study the pings and connections some hacker is making to your computer before and after with your free "one month Pro Zone Alarm"
Read the writers at this link on his site.
http://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh1akydu
[/quote]

I don't understand quite what you are trying to say here. I did recommend either a hardware or software firewall, so I'm not sure if "my free one month ZA" is a dig at me or not (there is a free version as well I believe). As to the press links, just because someone becomes popular with the press doesn't mean he's an expert; it just means he knows how to be popular with the press. In fact that's probably Gibson's m.o.

My point wasn't to say that computer security isn't important. In fact spyware/adware/malware are the biggest threat to computer usability today, bigger than viruses to most home users.

My point was only to warn anyone browsing Gibson's site to be aware that while he comes across as an Authority on the subject, he isn't and that some of the information on his site is incomplete (making you think you're secure when you aren't) or incorrect. I apologize that I wasn't more clear.

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by Buff+Apr 5 2005, 04:42 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Buff @ Apr 5 2005, 04:42 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

My internet connection is through 2 routers (1 wired, 1 wireless) with NAT and XP firewall, plus MS Anti-Spyware resident shield, Spybot resident shield, and McAfee ActiveShield. I have no problems whatsoever with IE 6 and my machine runs at top efficiency on 512MB of RAM. While at school I use UofC Wireless VPN.

Not bad. You should be pretty secure. Although I absolutely despise McAfee. You probably don't need to run MS and S&D at the same time, specially if McAfee has spyware protection, that is getting to be a bit redundant, but if it doesn't affect your computers performance and your mind is at ease, then I guess its ok.

My friend is running an ancient computer with Windows 98, I'd be surprised if he has more than 128 MB RAM. His problem though, is he broke up with his girlfriend and he is afraid that she is going to find somebody to hack into his computer. He also thought the same with the girl he broke up with before this girl. [/b][/quote]
LOL...what he needs is not firewalls, if he's THAT paranoid he needs to hire a PI to stalk his ex'es for a month each to see if they're stalking him Tell him to register here and PM me

[photon]

Originally posted by Buff@Apr 4 2005, 10:23 PM
I haven't heard of this problem from any of my friend who use Firefox either, so I would say that even though 3 CPers have had this problem that it isn't very common.

I know that's weird hey? I did a little more digging and it may circle around Firefox being able to have different profiles.. I know in earlier versions Firefox (pre 1.0PR) sometimes wouldn't close properly and I would open it again and it would ask to create a new profile because the old one was in use.. if I did of course there would be no bookmarks, and unless I told Firefox to go back to the original I would never see them.

[shoestring]

Originally posted by photon+Apr 4 2005, 10:53 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (photon @ Apr 4 2005, 10:53 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Don't get me wrong, I didn't say everything he says is un-true. But his information isn't complete and it's possible for people to draw a false sense of security based on some of the things he says. Even in your example, closing those three ports protects you from maybe 0.001% of all viruses...

Everyone should have a firewall to block ALL ports they don't specifically want opened.

<!--QuoteBegin-shoestring@
I think that many $99.95 virus removal experts are sensationalist and full of half truths and hyperbole and won't help you fix your comp or send you to the proper sites to do the same for free. Or they have proven themselves to themselves to be pretty much a self proclaimed security "experts" with no real knowledge.

I agree, and if we were talking about them I'd say as much.. but they weren't mentioned, Gibson was.

<!--QuoteBegin-shoestring
I know why Microsoft has these ports but most homeusers don't need them.
Take the test yourself.
Study the pings and connections some hacker is making to your computer before and after with your free "one month Pro Zone Alarm"
Read the writers at this link on his site.
http://www.grc.com/x/ne.dll?bh1akydu
[/quote]

I don't understand quite what you are trying to say here. I did recommend either a hardware or software firewall, so I'm not sure if "my free one month ZA" is a dig at me or not (there is a free version as well I believe). As to the press links, just because someone becomes popular with the press doesn't mean he's an expert; it just means he knows how to be popular with the press. In fact that's probably Gibson's m.o.

My point wasn't to say that computer security isn't important. In fact spyware/adware/malware are the biggest threat to computer usability today, bigger than viruses to most home users.

My point was only to warn anyone browsing Gibson's site to be aware that while he comes across as an Authority on the subject, he isn't and that some of the information on his site is incomplete (making you think you're secure when you aren't) or incorrect. I apologize that I wasn't more clear. [/b][/quote]

10 million downloads of his products and his information is incomplete?
16 years in the business and he is giving people a false sense of security.
Because he can write a good press release? Give your head a shake that is insulting to me but especially to him.
Send me your security website address and I will see if it is "complete" or "giving a false sense of security" Condescending to him and patronizing to me.
Start a poll and see how many on this site have open ports.

http://grc.com/default.htm

Easily one of the most complete security sites on the net. Did you go to the site.
How many of your ports are open.Mine are stealthed.1000's of them.

Even in your example, closing those three ports protects you from maybe 0.001% of all viruses...
Where did you get this info ,obviously you didn't check your firewall analysis.
Mine were getting hit 100's of times per day the other ports only after they couldn't probe 137 et all.
And we are talking homeusers here ,why do they want any ports open?

In fact spyware/adware/malware are the biggest threat to computer usability today, bigger than viruses to most home users.
You are kidding right? Malware maybe if it is a trojan

The guy has done some brilliant work and offered it up free to public,I am sure you will find his explanation and testing of firewalls comprehensive and his links to problems and solving same, helpful.
I don't think you should slag some guy who has been on the net from the beginning unless you can give me substantive proof.
Because it works for me and many other computer illiterate folks I have helped and I go back to his site because he is ahead of the game and helping folks protect their computer for free.
Read his site it contains many ,many pages of good content and a must for anybody that wants to understand how hacking is done.

The one month ZA is for the person with the problem.You get a free pro version for the first month where you can analyze hackers probing your system for open ports.

[LockedOut]

Originally posted by MrMastodonFarm@Apr 4 2005, 02:00 PM
My advice is to stop using Internet Explorer and use Mozilla Firefox.

Ugh I hate it when people give this kind of advice when asking for solutions. While he's at it he might as well dump Windows and install Linux. Oh wait why stop there dump your PC and buy a MAC.

[Shawnski]

shoestring, I am not sure why you are discussing the "one month free" ZoneAlarm Pro version. There is no need to use that one. The freeware version works just fine.

Closing ports is not required. It can adversely impact your ability to share files with other people, play games head to head, etc.

I have the freeware version of Zone Alarm. Gibsons "test" on my machine produced the following "findings":

Your system has achieved a perfect "TruStealth" rating. Not a single packet — solicited or otherwise — was received from your system as a result of our security probing tests. Your system ignored and refused to reply to repeated Pings (ICMP Echo Requests). From the standpoint of the passing probes of any hacker, this machine does not exist on the Internet. Some questionable personal security systems expose their users by attempting to "counter-probe the prober", thus revealing themselves. But your system wisely remained silent in every way. Very nice.

But I knew that already. Similar tests from other sites have told me the same thing.

No port "closing" was done, no additional effort required. Simple download and install of the free Zone Alarm, and my PC is secured, no "yearly fees" at all.

Now, I am going to go take an aspirin and try to forget the headache I get from desciphering your posts...

[Wolfwood]

It's amazing the way this thread has gone.

The crazy bookmarks disappearing problem was really annoying but I did have a fairly recent backup of them the couple times that it happened to me. I've not had it happen since before 1.0 was released so I'm hoping that it was fixed. I still love Firefox and think it's the best browser out there at the moment.

And I agree with Shawnski that the free version of Zone Alarm is all that one needs to use for a firewall. It has done a good job securing my home computer very well (combined with McAfee Antivirus that I get through the university of kentucky for free). I've also started running Microsoft Anti-Spyware and although I've not gotten much spyware since using Firefox (and Mozilla before that) it seems to do a good job with all of the computers that I've installed it on at work.

[Vulcan]

I have a fairly old computer[Windows Millinium] with free ZoneAlarm,Avg, Spybot, Adaware, Registry First Aid, WinPatrol and Diskeeper Lite all free programs installed on my computer. I was getting frequent crashes and freezes using the Windows browser and since switching to Firefox I rarely encounter any problems. They should pay me for this testimonial, I feel I should be at an AA meeting. If I didn't have problems I wouldn't have changed.

[transplant99]

Wow.

OK, first off a big thank you to EVERYONE who responded.

As I have explained to MMF through PM, I hate firefox and dont have any want to change to it. Will definately keep it on my desktop though, just in case.

I scanned my system using both my Anti-Vir as well as the suggested Trend Co online scan...and nothing was found.

Shanwski, I did the hijackthis thing and saved the log file. No idea how to send it to you however, as it is extensive.

I have added Zone Alarm as well. Will see what it does.


So im going to see if this stuff has made any changes. I am currently d/l a rather large and important file, so i wont know til later after i have re-booted for the umpteenth time.

Again, thanks for everyones input, much appreciated.