NationStates Jolt Archive

In another thread many people recommended I get the Firefox browser. I had heard good things about it in the past, and had an inkling to try it out for a while, so I got it. Then the troubles started.
When I first installed Firefox, I saw an old enemy of mine, WebSearch. After a brief struggle I finally removed it and rebooted as normal. Upon logging on again, my desktop had reverted back to what it was like when I first started i.e all my shortcuts gone, items which I had saved to it weren't there et cetera. The "My Documents" folder lost gigabytes of information. I managed to fix this, so I tried Firefox for the first time on my P.C. I didn't like it.*
Because of this, I tried to run IE again. Now, it seems, IE has lost my internet connection and started up the Internet Connection Wizard. Because I'm on broadband, the Wizard can't detect a dial tone, so now it seems I'm tuck with a browser I hate. Unless someone knows how to fix this.

*I know that paragraph isn't exactly necessary, but it reenforces why I don't like Firefox.

It sounds like you have managed to destroy your windows registry somehow... do you have a backup and/or a system restore point ?

The problem is most likely caused by incorrectly deinstalling websearch, and not by firefox btw.

Yeah, whatever you did has nothing to do with Firefox. The only registry entry Firefox would touch is its own, unless you downloaded some sort of bootlegged version anybody could've tinkered with from a file share program or what-not. If you downloaded it directly from mozilla.org, it shouldn't have done a single thing other than install itself on your system.

It's possible websearch was already on your system, embedded in IE, and when you installed Firefox tried to make the hop to the new browser, too. This, being the nature of spyware/adware, might have borked your registry.

In order to fix your connection, you should be able to go to Network Properties in your Start menu to set-up the proper connection for your PC. To fix your IE shortcut, simply go into the IE folder and delete the current shortcut, then, create a new one from the program .exe file.

It sounds like you have managed to destroy your windows registry somehow... do you have a backup and/or a system restore point ?

The problem is most likely caused by incorrectly deinstalling websearch, and not by firefox btw.

I don't think so. I've never been able to work the registry, and System Restore is a XP/ME thing, and I don't think it comes with Windows 98 SE.

I don't think I've uninstalled Websearch wrong, I've done it that many times I put a shortcut to the Add/Remove programs box on my Quick Launch Bar it's appeared that often.

Hmmm, millions of people install the same program fine and it causes you problems. Well, must be a bad program ;)

It's obviously something else, if so many people use it fine.

Yeah, whatever you did has nothing to do with Firefox. The only registry entry Firefox would touch is its own, unless you downloaded some sort of bootlegged version anybody could've tinkered with from a file share program or what-not. If you downloaded it directly from mozilla.org, it shouldn't have done a single thing other than install itself on your system.

It's possible websearch was already on your system, embedded in IE, and when you installed Firefox tried to make the hop to the new browser, too. This, being the nature of spyware/adware, might have borked your registry.

In order to fix your connection, you should be able to go to Network Properties in your Start menu to set-up the proper connection for your PC. To fix your IE shortcut, simply go into the IE folder and delete the current shortcut, then, create a new one from the program .exe file.

1. Perhaps you're right. BTW, I got it straight from mozilla.org, why have a bootlegged version of something that's free?

2. Websearch always appears on the systray when installed, but maybe I missed it.

3. I'll try that, what could go wrong?

Hmmm, millions of people install the same program fine and it causes you problems. Well, must be a bad program ;)

It's obviously something else, if so many people use it fine.

Then again I don't have a brilliant P.C.

In order to fix your connection, you should be able to go to Network Properties in your Start menu to set-up the proper connection for your PC. To fix your IE shortcut, simply go into the IE folder and delete the current shortcut, then, create a new one from the program .exe file.

Erm...where is Network Properties, never seen it before.

Erm...where is Network Properties, never seen it before.

Hmm... I couldn't tell you, because I've never used Windows 98. I'm using XP; however, you should be able to find somewhere on that blasted thing relating to have your internet is configured.

Seeing as how WebSearch is a completely different package... maybe the Firefox installer "triggered" it somehow... did you make sure a former version of Websearch was removed from your system before you installed Firefox? To determine what parts of the startup and registry could be considered as Websearch (or other spyware), install and run HijackThis (google it, you'll find it), then have it scan and save a logfile, then copy that logfile in the frame on this site: http://www.help2go.com/modules.php?name=HJTDetective
and have it detect your, um, stuff. Then see what the results are, then fix the stuff using HijackThis.

I don't think so. I've never been able to work the registry, and System Restore is a XP/ME thing, and I don't think it comes with Windows 98 SE.

Correct - however, websearch likes to spread its tentacles rather deep in the windows registry... I do hope you have a decent firewall ? Windows 98 SE is no longer supported by microsoft - which means that security holes are no longer fixed.

In any case, the problem you have is either a registryflaw, or windows has managed to delete your useraccount and replaced it with the default. Do you remember the names of some of the files gone from your my documents ? If so, use the explorer to search for them to see if they are really gone, or if microsoft is looking in the wrong place.

I don't think I've uninstalled Websearch wrong, I've done it that many times I put a shortcut to the Add/Remove programs box on my Quick Launch Bar it's appeared that often.

You cannot remove websearch that way I fear. Oh, it claims you can - but that method conveniently "forgets" to remove most of it. Which is why it "keeps coming back" - it was never really removed in the first place.
There are several programs available online that can aid you in shredding websearch. Blocking websearch through your hosts file will also help.

Link: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.websearch.html
Direct link to the shredder: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FxWebsch.exe

Correct - however, websearch likes to spread its tentacles rather deep in the windows registry... I do hope you have a decent firewall ? Windows 98 SE is no longer supported by microsoft - which means that security holes are no longer fixed.

In any case, the problem you have is either a registryflaw, or windows has managed to delete your useraccount and replaced it with the default. Do you remember the names of some of the files gone from your my documents ? If so, use the explorer to search for them to see if they are really gone, or if microsoft is looking in the wrong place.



You cannot remove websearch that way I fear. Oh, it claims you can - but that method conveniently "forgets" to remove most of it. Which is why it "keeps coming back" - it was never really removed in the first place.
There are several programs available online that can aid you in shredding websearch. Blocking websearch through your hosts file will also help.

Yes, I have firewalls. I managed to find the files (the my documents floder on the desktop was looking in the wrong place). My user account is still intact (in fact one annoying flaw has been fixed). Thanks for the tip about Websearch, I'll remember that. Whilst we're talking, do you know of any other spyware that does this. I think Zango does but I'm not sure.

N.B just had a look at the links it solves another problem I had. Ta.

Seems I've still got a lot to learn about Spyware. And Firefox. It seems like I'm stuck with it for a while, best get used to it.

To the motherfucker who wrote Websearch:

:upyours:

Spin on it.

*assuming you downloaded it directly from mozilla.org
I don't think I've uninstalled Websearch wrong....
Actually...I think you did.

you need an spy/adaware killer...

and you need a good spy/adawre scanner + a reliable firewall...

I don't think so. I've never been able to work the registry.(considering your general wares knowledge)

Do not touch the Registry...just dont.

here is a good one "Spybot - Search & Destroy"
Spybot-Search & Destroy download site (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html)

and another good one "Ad-Aware SE Personal"
Ad-Aware SE Personal Download site (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button)

Hmm... I couldn't tell you, because I've never used Windows 98. I'm using XP; however, you should be able to find somewhere on that blasted thing relating to have your internet is configured.
Start: Settings: Control Panel.

It's in there, I believe.

here is a good one "Spybot - Search & Destroy"
Spybot-Search & Destroy download site (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html)

and another good one "Ad-Aware SE Personal"
Ad-Aware SE Personal Download site (http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button)
Another excelent one is the Microsoft Anti-spyware beta: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
It may surprise you, but the program actually wasn't made by Microsoft, they just amalgamated the company that did. It's VERY reliable, and I find better than either of these two programs. Also, you can try HijackThis to delete processes (i.e. open spyware) and then (not sure if this works in '98 though) Start: Run, then type "msconfig". Modify your startup (last tab) by unchecking the spyware. Then just delete the program files (this editor will give you the folder location. Delete it.)