Browser hijack

[JayK]

By making your browser hijacked I refer to either one or some of the following

1) Homepage changed
2) search assistant changed - when you type a url that does not exist, it serves results instead from a "evil" search engine instead of the normal default (MSN or something else if you changed it)

3) I suppose installing unwanted toolbars is part of it too if you like.

Here's how spybot S&D puts it

"A browser hijacker is a small program or registry setting that is responsible for changed IE start and search pages. If your browser starts with a different start page (one you haven't changed yourself), you most probably got hijacked. Intelligent hijackers do not only change these pages, but also add a small file that will restore the hijacked settings upon each system start. Hijackers often use ActiveX installation programs and/or security holes"

Such hijackers can do more then changing your homepage, many create popups etc.

It does not include, running software which is adware (eg ICQ) or "tracking cookies". Neither does it include porn dialers that dialup and log up high phone bills.

[Pieter_Arntz]

Not counting when I did it on purpose, never.

Regards,

Pieter

[Pilli]

Never personally but most PC's I look at nowadays have been got at, mainly by LOP Via file sharing programmes. Javacool's tools, Spybot & AA are then installed and if they have to have it Kaza lite, though I would rather they used WinMX.
BTW my record for spyware on one PC is 212 offenders!

[mjc]

I'm with Pieter....never, except when I do it on purpose. Even when I was still wet behind the ears....the one attempt failed.

[JayK]

-{ Quote: " quoting: mjc link=board=19;threadid=10867;start=0#msg70930 date=1057045724]
I'm with Pieter....never, except when I do it on purpose. Even when I was still wet behind the ears....the one attempt failed.
" }-

One? You don't get out much do you? :)

Admittedly, driveby hijacks can be handled by tight IE settings (the older IEs had quite loose defaults) - mostly relating to activex, and uptodate patches since some of them take advantage of IE exploits to install regardless of your security settings.

Oh yes and grow a brain, don't click yes/no on every "windows system looking window" or flashing popups

[tepi]

Although I've never been hijacked, as a precaution I recently installed the following program:

* HijackThis v1.97 *

Written by Merijn - merijn@spywareinfoforum.com

Some details from:

http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/

HijackThis examines certain key areas of the Registry and Hard Drive and lists their contents. These are areas which are used by both legitimate programmers and hijackers. It's up to you to decide what should be removed. Some items are perfectly fine. You should not remove them. Never remove everything. Doing that could leave you with missing items needed to run legitimate programs and add-ins. This Page will help you work with the Experts to clean up your system.
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Cheers