How much is too much?? I NEED SOME HELP OR ADVICE HERE .

[james sluder]

wiz im back again with more problems.Need your help/advice.

I have wireless laptop Vista running windows 8 .I have Windows defender > Active .Norton 360 out of date,,not really doing anything.These came with the PC.

I have avg [ free ] ,Melwarebytes preminum paid for.Mcafee secure search that i downloaded & installed .As of right now this forum is the only site i can get on.I am using IE.Do i need to delete some of this stuff >>Go with Google Chrome ??.

Thanks for any help .

Jim

[Dave Potter]

As of right now this forum is the only site i can get on.

Not "Wiz", but in my non-Wiz opinion, that's a really unlikely condition. If your web browser opens, and you can only log on to the steel guitar forum, you could probably patent that situation.

[Wiz Feinberg]

James;
Are you suggesting that there are other websites out there? Surely you jest!


Seriously, Houston, we have a problem! Internet Explorer should be able to explore the Internet, not just the SGF. It should be like your Gopher for information.

Troubleshooting by BBS is not the easiest task. Still, here is a basic starting checklist you can try to follow. It may possibly help restore your ability to browse the alleged other websites you alluded to.

1. With IE open, click on Tools > Internet Options (or gear like symbol) > "Security" tab and make sure there is a check mark in Enable Protected Mode. If not, check it, then click Apply.
2. Now click on the "Advanced" tab > scroll down to its Security section and check the option to Empty Temporary Internet Files when browser is closed. If already checked, uncheck it, click Apply, then re-check the option and click Apply again. Click OK to close the Internet Options.
3. Go to www.piriform.com and download the free version of CCleaner from the website. Install CCleaner, inputting your administrator password into the UAC prompt box when it appears. Just click on the box and then press Enter if you are already in an Administrator level account.
4. Close Internet Explorer now!
5. Find the new CCleaner icon on your Windows Desktop, or Start Menu, and use it to launch the program. For now, leave all default options as is. Click on Cleaner on the left, then click on either the "Analyze" button (to see how much it can remove) or the "Run Cleaner" button on the lower right pane. This button goes to work instantly.
6. Close CCleaner when it completes the cleaning and reports how much it deleted.
7. Close all open programs.
8. Open Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (v2.02 or newer). Update it, then run a complete "Threat Scan." Have it remove all known threats and quarantine all suspected PUPS. Close MBAM when it finishes scanning and removing malware. Reboot if so-instructed.
9. Either pay for a new license, or uninstall Norton 360. Reboot.
10. Run Windows Update. Updates go out every second Tuesday of the month. October's updates were released on the afternoon of Oct 14. Take note of anything bad reported by the Malicious Software Removal Tool. Restart as instructed.
11. Update AVG to the latest version and database. With free a/v, you usually only get what you paid for, which in this case is pretty close to no major protection beyond the basics. It's better than nothing, but nowhere near as useful as say Trend Micro Internet Security (learn more)
12. You can disable any, or all "add-ons" to Internet Explorer, to see if one of them was blocking your access. Click on the Tools icon, then on "Manage Add-ons." Right click and button options appear as you left click on each add-on, to disable, or sometimes to remove them. I would disable before removing an Add-on, unless you absolutely know you don't want it.
13. Now, see if you can browse to other websites using IE. If so, we're done for now. If not, post back here and we'll move on the phase two.

[james sluder]

[quote="Wiz Feinberg"]James;
Are you suggesting that there are other websites out there? Surely you jest!


Seriously, Houston, we have a problem! Internet Explorer should be able to explore the Internet, not just the SGF. It should be like your Gopher for information.

Troubleshooting by BBS is not the easiest task. Still, here is a basic starting checklist you can try to follow. It may possibly help restore your ability to browse the alleged other websites you alluded to.

1. With IE open, click on Tools > Internet Options (or gear like symbol) > "Security" tab and make sure there is a check mark in Enable Protected Mode. If not, check it, then click Apply.
2. Now click on the "Advanced" tab > scroll down to its Security section and check the option to Empty Temporary Internet Files when browser is closed. If already checked, uncheck it, click Apply, then re-check the option and click Apply again. Click OK to close the Internet Options.
3. Go to www.piriform.com and download the free version of CCleaner from the website. Install CCleaner, inputting your administrator password into the UAC prompt box when it appears. Just click on the box and then press Enter if you are already in an Administrator level account.
4. Close Internet Explorer now!
5. Find the new CCleaner icon on your Windows Desktop, or Start Menu, and use it to launch the program. For now, leave all default options as is. Click on Cleaner on the left, then click on either the "Analyze" button (to see how much it can remove) or the "Run Cleaner" button on the lower right pane. This button goes to work instantly.
6. Close CCleaner when it completes the cleaning and reports how much it deleted.
7. Close all open programs.
8. Open Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware (v2.02 or newer). Update it, then run a complete "Threat Scan." Have it remove all known threats and quarantine all suspected PUPS. Close MBAM when it finishes scanning and removing malware. Reboot if so-instructed.
9. Either pay for a new license, or uninstall Norton 360. Reboot.
10. Run Windows Update. Updates go out every second Tuesday of the month. October's updates were released on the afternoon of Oct 14. Take note of anything bad reported by the Malicious Software Removal Tool. Restart as instructed.
11. Update AVG to the latest version and database. With free a/v, you usually only get what you paid for, which in this case is pretty close to no major protection beyond the basics. It's better than nothing, but nowhere near as useful as say Trend Micro Internet Security (learn more)
12. You can disable any, or all "add-ons" to Internet Explorer, to see if one of them was blocking your access. Click on the Tools icon, then on "Manage Add-ons." Right click and button options appear as you left click on each add-on, to disable, or sometimes to remove them. I would disable before removing an Add-on, unless you absolutely know you don't want it.
13. Now, see if you can browse to other websites using IE. If so, we're done for now. If not, post back here and we'll move on the phase two.

[/quote.

HAHAHA> Verry funny Wiz ,i guess they just wanted me to stay here and pester you.I have Cclener too & use it everytime i log off. I tryed all the things you told me,now i can get on mail & and some others i use,i just cannot get connected to facebook.

This all started a few days ago when melwarebytes poped up that they had a newer verson so i downloaded & installed it > it's the Pro, paid verson. But i'll keep working to get it fixed .I though about switching to Chrome or firefox instead of IE > Any though's on this ?.thanks for your help !

Jim

[Wiz Feinberg]

James;
Yes, you can technically download other browsers ... but only if you can browse to the web pages with the download links! You implied that this was not possible for you. Am I misreading your problem?

[james sluder]

Wiz i went through all the thing's you told me to do. then ran melwarebites full scan >nothing found.Ran full scan with avg [free] verson and nothing there .. I still could only connect to the forum no problem 1 click on the icon & it jumps up & works fine..Then i ran windows updates found 13 & downloaded & installed them,,rebooted & that helped,,i can get on games.com.and google search and type in other site's on google & they come up now. Just facebook it will not connect to ,i might have deleted some app,on there a few days ago when i was cleaning some junk out.

[Wiz Feinberg]

James, I apologize for my delay in getting back to you. I have a daytime business to attend to.

Onward...

In order to connect to the "Internet," certain hardware and software systems need to be in place, and properly configured. The fact that you were able to connect to microsoft.com and download windows updates indicates that your TCP/IP stack and your network adapter both function within normal operating parameters. It also proves that your modem (and router, if exists) is properly connected to your ISP.

What is not obvious is why you cannot connect to some websites you normally can reach. Something is without a doubt blocking access to those sites. Let's try to get some things updated, just in case they are the culprit.

Please open MBAM and download the most current definitions, as well as any program updates for it. Then go to the Settings tab > Detection and Protection (in the left sidebar), then disable Malicious Website Protection (temporarily). The change will take place immediately, or at worse, upon the next log off/log on event.

Try accessing the previously blocked websites. If they are now accessible, MBAM's website protection had a previous bad update. The new update should fix that. Restart, then try reaching those same websites. If they are accessible now, open MBAM and go to the same place, then re-enable website protection. Go back to your browser and refresh each page (F5 key on browser). If they remain re-loadable, the glitch is over.

If MBAM makes no change and the websites are still unloadable, open AVG and locate any similar control, then disable it. Reboot and try again. If that fixes the problem, AVG was the problem, with its bad update.

There are yet other things that can block access to some websites while allowing it for others. That is a matter for further discussion, but only if the above steps fail.

[james sluder]

wIZ it's ok on late reply's. i know your very buisy. im just thankfull for all your help.

I did all the thing's you told me to try but no luck.
facebook still has no connection i just get a [ diagnose connection problem ] . a few day's ago i could not get to my mail & sometimes now i have to try 2 times. but the forum i click it jumps right up. i can search for a web page on google and get where i want to go. e-bay works fine,,u-tube works fine it;s just facebook now that don't connect.but it's ok i don't really need it anyway.

[Wiz Feinberg]

James;
Please download HostsMan and install it. Once installed, use the green desktop or start menu icon to open the program. It opens as a very small window that defaults to the upper left corner of your monitor. There are three icons inside the HostMan window. Click on the right icon of a folder. This opens your Hosts file for viewing.

Scroll down the Hosts file and look for any entries that start with 127.0.0.1 on the left and have anything to do with Facebook.com, or any other inaccessible website on the right. Those items are blocked from opening on that computer, due to be rerouted to your own local machine (127.0.0.1). Placing a # before a line comments it out. The changes need to be saved, then the computer rebooted for the change to take affect.

If this is too complicated, simply look for said blocked website entries (in HostMan) and list them in your reply.

[james sluder]

Sorry im late getting back to you Wiz,been working all day.I tryed downloading the program but it kept redirecting me to another site & wanted $.99.00to repair my computer. So i know thats not right.They downloaded a bunch of melware but i ran a scan & got it out.But i'll keep trying .

[james sluder]

Well Wiz reply # 2 .I decided to download google chrome & make google my default web browser & now im getting on all site's .Im not sure why google made a connection when IE refused to ,but im happy with it .

Thanks a bunch my friend for your help

JIM

[Wiz Feinberg]

Sorry im late getting back to you Wiz,been working all day.I tryed downloading the program but it kept redirecting me to another site & wanted $.99.00to repair my computer. So i know thats not right.They downloaded a bunch of melware but i ran a scan & got it out.But i'll keep trying .

One of two things is possibly happening to your computer: 1: your Hosts file may have been loaded with malicious redirection codes; or 2: your router could have had its DNS servers hijacked by a remote administration or UPnP exploit, or via a downloaded malicious router configuration file.

In the first case, you may be able to manually edit your Hosts file, with professional assistance. In the second case, you should contact your ISP and get the exact numbers of the DNS servers that handle Internet requests at your location. A computer troubleshooter can then determine if your router has been reconfigured without your permission.

In order to learn about any modifications to your Hosts file, you'll need to learn to unhide normally hidden system folders and operating system files. Then, you'll need to unhide known file type extensions.

With these hidden files visible, navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\Hosts

Right click on "Hosts" and select Open. Windows will ask what program to use to open this file, which lacks any file extension. Choose Notepad.exe from the list. When Hosts opens in notepad, look at all entries for any hint of websites being redirected to either 127.0.0.1, or to another website. A default installation does not have any redirects in Hosts, just a bunch of instructions and examples, all beginning with a # (comment code). Anything not beginning with a # sign in Hosts is an actual command. All else are just comments and not interpreted.

Report back here after you have a look inside Hosts. Don't edit the file without trained assistance.

Checking your router may be more difficult. You'll need to learn the login name and password from either a sticker on the router, or in its documentation, or from the manufacturer's website (if you can reach it). If you or somebody else has changed the admin password, it needs to be discovered to log into the router. Otherwise, you'll need to do a hard reset using a tiny push button on the back of the unit. Once you are able to log into the router, I can tell you where to navigate to and what to check. I'll need the make and model.

[james sluder]

Wiz im still looking,i don't really know what im doing.
i found hidden file's & folders but i have not found HOST file's yet.

I found a box that says [ remote connection ] with a check mark in the box,,does this allow anyone to get into my computer ?? just wondered if it should have that checked.

I have to be out of town tonight music night .but i'll get back on this problem sunday.

Jim

[Wiz Feinberg]

Wiz im still looking,i don't really know what im doing.
i found hidden file's & folders but i have not found HOST file's yet.

I found a box that says [ remote connection ] with a check mark in the box,,does this allow anyone to get into my computer ?? just wondered if it should have that checked.

I have to be out of town tonight music night .but i'll get back on this problem sunday.

Jim

You can use the Windows Start Menu "Search" box to find the file named "Hosts" - after fully unhinding operating system files and folders.

Remote "assistance," or "desktop connection" is used if you request online assistance with direct control handed over to the technician. The remote computer can send and receive files, change settings, install programs, etc. It is a useful tool if you know and trust the person connecting to your computer. Using it requires an exchange of credentials. There have been a couple of remote desktop connection exploits, but they have been patched via Windows Updates a long time ago.

[james sluder]

Wiz i typed in host files i the search box & came up with a whole page of file's 'Only 1 looked like whatyou told me to look for .

Host <127> <updater> <logger>
FATAL.
Port 72648.

[Wiz Feinberg]

Wiz i typed in host files i the search box & came up with a whole page of file's 'Only 1 looked like whatyou told me to look for .

Host <127> <updater> <logger>
FATAL.
Port 72648.

The file named "Hosts" - that controls these matters - is located in the following directory, only:
C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\Etc\