Topic: Looking for some PC tech help

[Bob Wessner]

Here's my story. All of a sudden and add-on to Explorer 10 called "startnow" has shown up. I'm pretty careful about what gets installed, etc. so I'm not sure how it got there. I did a couple of searches and this seems to be a pervasive piece of malware. I've uninstalled the executable, closed the browser and even rebooted. Still the bugger persists. When I check the settings in the browser it is still listed as and add-on, but it grayed out and can't be removed or disabled. Anyone have a suggestion as to how to get rid of this !@#$ thing?!

[Johnie]

Bob...did you go to your "add or delete programs" area and try to remove it from there?

[madScientist]

Johnnie's right. That's one of those annoying ones that inserts itself as an "addon" but also has the application component as well.

1) Remove it using the control panel --> add/remove programs
2) Load up IE and remove it from the add ons list
3) Set your default web page to google or bing

That should get you out of the woods.

Adding --

If you still have problems with it you might have to edit your registry keys. Running 'regedit' will pull it up but then you have to find the little aholes.

[Bob Wessner]

I had already uninstalled it via the Control Panel. As for getting rid of it via "Settings" and "Add-ons" in the browser was a no-go. It was grayed out and inaccessible. I did just try resetting the homepage and it seems to have worked.... so far. Just have the feeling the little bugger is lurking about in there someplace.  I might see what regedit shows, but I don't care much for fooling around in there.  Thanks for the tip.

[333]

Okay, somewhat of a long process, but it's worth a try. Download a tool called CCleaner form Piroform. It's a great tool for many things. Run the cleaner and registry tools on a regular basis. But to try to get rid of this nasty one, under the tools button on the left, hit the startup button and under each tab look for the offending program and disable any. The real confusing part is that the names can be misleading. If you need more help, PM me, and we can do a phone call.

[70CB750]

I run two free programs on regular bases, Malwarebytes and Spybot, they work very well to keep the pesky "helpful add ons" off your computer.

And I would strongly suggest to ditch IE, there are better browsers out there, with better and faster patching policy than Micro$oft.

[mono]

Not sure if it's still a free download, but I use a utility called Hijack This for most of my registry deleting.  Really helpful after virus removal or to kill browser toolbar add-ons.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

[jtb]

Good Morning, Bob.  Start your computer in Safe mode with networking, by pressing the F8 key during bootup.  (start continually pressing and releasing as soon as the manufacturer's splash screen appears, and before the windows logo appears).  Once it is up, go to http://www.malwarebytes.org on the internet and download the free trial of malwarebytes.  Install and update, then run a full computer scan.  This will MOST likely remove it.  I'll pm you my cell, call me if you need to.

John