Strange happenings with Microsoft

desdawg · August 19, 2008, 01:22:30 AM

This morning when I go up,perked my coffee and I turned on my computer as usual. I could get logged on to the internet but I couldn't open my browser. This evening when I turned it on I opened the browser and it went right to Internet Explorer version 7.0. Suddenly by default I had chosen a MSN home page and Microsoft search engine. This stuff was part of the latest automatic update for windows I think. I spent nearly an hour on the phone with a tech support guy from the ISP and we couldn't figure out how to get the browser to load this morning. He finally gave up and blamed it on Symantec (Norton Anti virus). It would appear that Microsoft couldn't buy Yahoo so they decided to create their own rather I the end user liked it or not. After a little perserverance I got things back to the familiar. I have Windows XP and a dial up connection here. I wonder what will happen tomorrow when I get to the office with Verizon Wireless and Windows Vista. It seemed a lot like an attack on my computer as it was being manipulated without my consent.

desdawg · August 19, 2008, 01:39:46 AM

I just closed my browser and re-opened it. Went right to a Microsoft Download site instead of my Yahoo home page. I use a lot of Microsoft programs but I like to pick them.

August 19, 2008, 02:23:25 AM

Sounds like a browser hijacker, maybe.

I'd try Spybot Search and Destroy on it.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

There are many more good free ones.

desdawg · August 19, 2008, 08:52:58 AM

I never ran into anything like this before. The search and destroy is downloading now. Slow going on dial-up. Where does crap like this come from and how? Yesterday was certainly a strange experience.

peternap · August 19, 2008, 09:21:37 AM

Quote from: glenn kangiser on August 19, 2008, 02:23:25 AM
Sounds like a browser hijacker, maybe.

I'd try Spybot Search and Destroy on it.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

There are many more good free ones.

I agree....Hijacker, Spybot is good and free

August 19, 2008, 09:57:50 AM

Seems like we leave ourselves open when we allow automatic updates. Microsoft does it, HP does it, Symantec does it. It seems like the Windows Vista operating system caters to that stuff. The download finished and vanished into thin air. So I am trying it again. Sucker takes an hour or more.

glenn kangiser · August 19, 2008, 10:20:17 AM

The Microsoft XP (Xtra Problems) SP3 is a no-no - I didn't allow it - I hope. It caused many problems. Also - if you see a program called wuauclt (windows update automatic update client) it will nearly shut your computer down for weeks on end. Best to not allow automatic updates of your computer - can be turned off in control panel as I recall.

glenn kangiser · August 19, 2008, 10:22:10 AM

Also for a pay program that really helps --- TUT The Ultimate Troubleshooter can stop a lot of stuff like this and keep things running good. Unfortunately DSL is a lot easier than dial up to do this stuff.

desdawg · August 19, 2008, 12:05:16 PM

Did the download a second time and got the program installed. That programs updates had an hour and twenty minutes to go when I left home. So I left the thing running. Dial up sucks but the alternative is satellite in my area and that is fairly expensive. Verizon is one tower short of working where I live. I much prefer using the wireless device. It works well every where I have used it except at home. We get addicted to internet service and life would certainly be different without it. But when stuff like this happens it makes me wonder. I trust my Anti Virus Software to prevent things like this from happening. But apparently it doesn't work. I was just looking in the control panel and I didn't see where to turn off any updates. So if you have any additional information I would appreciate it.

August 19, 2008, 12:17:54 PM

It would appear this is where it came from:
Internet Explorer 7 or IE7 will be released, distributed and installed automatically as a High Priority Update by Automatic Updates, and Windows Update and Microsoft Update sites.
So it did come right from Microsoft. If they can do that they could control every windows users computer which would be most of them. Another control mechanism in place. If you watch the stock market it becomes apparent that anyone who could control the press could severely influence or control the flow of money. I think the sheeple have effectively given away any control they may have ever had. That is without getting into politics at any level. We gobble it up don't we?

MountainDon · August 19, 2008, 12:22:19 PM

You should have an "automatic updates" icon in XP control panel. That is where you can turn off or adjust settings to allow the downloading, but not auto install. I've not had any problems with having the updater download, but hold them until I'm ready. EXCEPT for it sometimes tying up or hogging the CPU at times. I've not experienced that as bad as Glenn says, but at times it can be maddening. When that happens all you can do is wait or reboot.

It should be noted that even turning off the auto update allows Microsoft to still make updates happen if they see fit. This I learned on a website newsletter I've subscribed to for years. http://windowssecrets.com/ The current home page on WS has the poop on that update.

One of my reasons for having the download auto but the install under my control is to prevent the installation of those sometimes buggy fixes. The Windows secrets newsletter reports on happenings with the different updates and you can then decide what to do.

desdawg · August 19, 2008, 03:05:44 PM

Thanks Don
According to that article the updates will install even if you have told it not to. The only way to stop it is to check Never check for updates. I am on a Vista machine at the moment. I will check it out on the XP machine when I get home. I have to say I don't like the way this is shaping up.

TheWire · August 19, 2008, 05:54:06 PM

Ad Aware by Lavasoft is another good & free spyware program.

glenn kangiser · August 19, 2008, 06:46:11 PM

Watch for impostors trying to horn in and make you pay or get it from their site to send you spam.

August 20, 2008, 05:19:37 AM

Downloaded SpyBot and all it's updates. Seems free isn't free. Before it will run it wants a $30.00 payment. License for three machines. $40 if you want anti-virus with it. I already have Norton which is supposed to do the same thing and it is licensed for three machines and already loaded. Add another $10.00 if you want it on CD. I guess I better send an e-mail. All of this because Microsoft is force feeding Explorer 7.0 to everyone who gets an automatic update of their Windows OS without warning. I have turned off Automatic Update completely on both the office computer and the home computer. I guess I should send them an e-mail too. I'm pretty tired of getting pushed around. I may have to leave the Microsoft fold.

desdawg · August 20, 2008, 05:59:27 AM

Not sure how to get an e-mail to Microsoft. You can call them on their 800 number for only $59.00/hour

glenn kangiser · August 20, 2008, 10:21:03 AM

Spybot has never charged before - they ask for donation but never charged. Wonder what happened - one of the hijackers?

I'll reload it and see if it tries it with me.

glenn kangiser · August 20, 2008, 10:39:47 AM

I think you may have a hijacker des, Here is a download link that should be safe. It is free. Do not pay.

http://downloads.grailit.com/1/details-spybot-search-amp-destroy.html

I know this is a real PITA on dial up.

I would suggest removing the previous installation either with it's own remover or control panel/add and remove programs then do the new install. Turn off the Tea Timer option on Spybot as it causes other problems - - uncheck the option box.

I am currently running the new installation from the link in this message with no request for money. I will update here if one comes up.

Do a virus scan also. Norton should find it if it is up to date - use the Norton Malware checker if you have it also.

desdawg · August 20, 2008, 07:55:08 PM

I sent them an e-mail and received an answer. It said they would call in a couple of days. My first attempt to download disappeared and this was my second try.

desdawg · August 20, 2008, 08:02:01 PM

When I started to remove it I got sent here:
http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor/uninstall/?uid=E209-CC35

August 20, 2008, 08:08:05 PM

Ah-ha!! I remember now!

I had a paid for full version once. They tried to do an automatic renewal when a year was up. The CC# was then invalid as I use a onetime use only CC number (available thru Citibank CC and BofA CC) and then they kept pestering me via email. It took an email to them telling them I was no longer interested before they ceased and desisted.

desdawg · August 20, 2008, 11:12:17 PM

I am pretty spooked. If my browser was hi-jacked (by Microsoft I think) and the repair software was hi-jacked what does that leave. Doesn't speak very highly for spy-bot. I think I better move on to something else. Norton detects nothing except the always present tracking cookie that probably comes from Yahoo. Never had a full system scan without one.

MountainDon · August 20, 2008, 11:32:07 PM

Ditto here on one cookie.

glenn kangiser · August 21, 2008, 12:29:26 AM

Quote from: desdawg on August 20, 2008, 08:02:01 PM
When I started to remove it I got sent here:
http://www.pctools.com/en/spyware-doctor/uninstall/?uid=E209-CC35

As I recall Spyware Doctor is a hijacker itself or at least has problems and obviously it looks like you didn't order it.

glenn kangiser · August 21, 2008, 12:39:56 AM

The one hijacking and switching you to something else is not spybot -- it is likely some program that you unknowingly had downloaded onto your system and is switching you to something they want to sell you. Jerk ripoff artists.