i do not know what has happened lately, but i seem to have a virus that run Internet Explorer and pulls up random pages (so it seems). i opened the task manager when this first happened, and found a process called b.exe running. i closed this, deleted the file (it was in my Doc's & Settings - USER - Local Settings - Temp folder)and also deleted a file called 'a.dat'. when i reboot, i managed to get rid of the b.exe file, but the a.dat stays there, and also the windows keep popping up. i am running Windows XP Pro, and running ESET NOD32 Anti-Virus software.
i am so sorry, but i cannot remember what i did six months ago.
and, by the sound of what is happening to you, it doesn't seem to be the same bug. I use MozillaFirefox to do my internet searches, but windows seemed to be pulling up internet explorer popup windows (without all the back buttons and URL bar etc..) all on it own!
If this isn't whats happening to you, start the task manager whan that happens again, and see if there is a small application running in the background. if so, try searching your MSConfig (Start->Run->msconfig->Startup) and seeing if there are any suspicious looking startup items.
As i said, because i use firefox for everything, i do not know much about the realm of internet explorer. Sorry :(
PS have you tried to search google, or even look on the microsoft page?? they should be able to help. if not, put a complaint in.
This is a very effective process for removing Malware/Virus.
If the below programs do not load change their .exe file name (not the shortcut)to something like iexplorer.exe and they will work fine.
Do not run more than one spyware/malware program at once (they might conflict) you may also have to disable you Anti Virus temperarly to scan with them.
Also ensure you have the newest version of java as some of the old one's have vulnerabilities.
Other things to consider if you don?t already do them a third part firewall, as windows firewall only block incoming traffic, if you are infected you want something like ZoneAlarm which will block outgoing traffic also. Please ensure Windows Firewall is switched off if you install a third party firewall.
Install firefox browser 3.5 only (very resistant to getting compromised)
Install returnil (free version) can beused instead of antispyware software, when enabled it seperates the hard drive from the internet, no known/unknown virus/spyware will defeat this software.
Another program more powerful than returnil (cannot be installed together) is comodo time machine (freeware). You can installed this on a clean computer and it will make a baseline snapshot. Before you go on the internet you can create a new snapshot (takes 3 seconds), if you run into problems/malware just restore your computer to this snapshot. It's similar to windows system restore but much more powerful especially against bad drivers/software/malware.
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/smb-s...iews/61309.aspx
Finally use a free imaging software (macrium reflect) to make an image backup of your c: drive while it's clean. Worst case scenario you can restore your computer to a like new windows condition without spending hours reinstalling windows.
I hope this helps. Part of my reply was quoted by user jony218 - Senior Member
