Internet Explorer Virus

[Scuttler]

I seem to have downloaded something which causes IE to run very slowly and open additional windows advertising gambling sites and spyware removal programs!

I think this happened when I clicked on a link in an MSN Messenger message sent by a friend.

So far I have removed:

IE using the add/remove windows programs utility
All Java Programs
All Messenger programs (AOL/Yahoo/MSN)
Removed all digital certificates
Enabled the Pop-up Blocker
Switched all internet options to Disable or Prompt

I've removed an msn.com link that appeared in the startup registry after I clicked this link.

I've re-installed IE.
I've set all security settings to maximum.

The new windows are still opening. Every time I time in a web address the web address opens but then another window opens with some advert or website promoting gambling/anti-spyware software opens up.

Another thing I've noticed is that every now and then an icon (A red M which looks similar to the Microsoft Word icon) appears in the system tray. When I try to move my cursor over it it disappears!

I've got a professional VirusScan running permanently on this laptop as it's a work one but it's not reporting any virus.

So....any ideas???????

[Scuttler]

Scrub that.....it seems to be a time related thing.....every so often it calls up a new site

[copperband]

Have you tried spybot?

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by copperband

Have you tried spybot?

Will try it but everytime I try to go online to download ad/malware software it locks up and I get a buffer overrun warning which means I have to shutdown IE.

[balbrigganbloke]

Have you tried a system restore?

[purple vonny]

I only know about fluffy kttens. However, I suggest that once you have fixed the problem you STOP looking at smut on the internet.

Marjorie Proops.

[David P]

I recently had to tell my brother pretty much the same - he wouldn't tell me what he was doing when it happened (which is suspicious), but he sure as hell picked up something similar and nasty late one night on the internet...

Two things fixed it for me. First, Googling the exact messages that kept popping up. Second, when the results from that said "ooh, tricky" and failed to fix it, System Restore was good as gold, and problem went away.

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

I only know about fluffy kttens. However, I suggest that once you have fixed the problem you STOP looking at smut on the internet.

Marjorie Proops.

But if I do that when will I have any fun????

[copperband]

Have you tried installing Firefox as your internet browser?
As for uninstalling IE, if you're running XP then you can't as I believe it's part of the OS.
Have you ran an online scan from Trendmicro?

Make sure you have selected the correct site for spybot

[macstinator]

sounds like the about:blank problem.

Run trend micros free online virus check. That will sort you out.