About:blank always my default

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1

I told my friend to take the first step and download Avast. Currently using ME with Norton anti virus.

Scan finds 60 or so ad-aware probems but can only delete half of them.

what should I tell him?

re

2

Don’t have two anti-virus programs running at the same time because they will conflict and cause problems. If your friend has paid up the subscriptions for Norton, they might decide to stick with that. Otherwise uninstall Norton and use only avast!

Download these anti-spyware programs, update and run them.

(At least the first three, and it is worth running all of them: they all find something different!)

Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoft.de/
Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/
Webroot Spy Sweeper: http://www.download.com/Webroot-Spy-Sweeper/3000-8022_4-10373771.html
MS AntiSpyware: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=321CD7A2-6A57-4C57-A8BD-DBF62EDA9671&displaylang=en
Yahoo! Anti-Spy: http://toolbar.yahoo.com/
X-Cleaner Free: http://www.xblock.com/download-freeware.php

3

  1. Scan in Safe Mode (SafeMode boot (repeatedly press F8 while booting): http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315222)

  2. Disable System restore on Windows ME: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q264887

4

I highly suggest that the infected computer be run with this program:

http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

This free (for home use) program is called CWShredder. it gets rid of the “Cool Web Search” malware that can act as a browser hijacker (about.blank etc)

Run it in safe mode. just click “Fix”… don’t bother with “update” as update will cause it to lock up (a bug).

Hiring an exorcist is also an idea.

5

:slight_smile: Best to use an anti-spyware program to remove spyware;
having advised on the Ad-aware/Lavasoft Support forums
before their recent demise, I would recommend down-
loading the latest “Free” version of Ad-aware SE 1.06,
preferably from the majorgeeks.com site. There are
Support forums for this product at :
1) http://castlecops.com/forum142.html
2) www.freedomlist.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12 .
To receive help there, you should post a “Full System Scan”
setting logfile and if the former Lavasoft Administator
“Corrine” gets “stuck”, she calls in the Ad-aware/Lavasoft
Experts she still maintains contact.

6

If it truely is the about:blank adware/spyware this information might be of help/interest.
About:Blank Homepage Hijacker Removal Instructions and Help