OT - Strange IE6 problem

TomG wrote on 4/27/2006, 5:49 PM
Hope somebody can help me with this really strange problem.

I went to download and save the SoundForge 8.0d upgrade. Well, it just appeared to download the file but does not save it. I watched the folder where I was saving it and the file appeared for a second and then it disappeared!!! Also, when I tried to "run" the file it downloaded but the executable file did not run. I tried this with some other downloads and the same thing is happening. I disabled my firewall and virus checker and spyware blockers and the same thing happens. Is there a setting in IE which blocks downloads?

Now I also have noticed that there is some strange categories in the Advanced Internet Explorer settings. The first category is "Chinese keywords" and there are about 7-8 option boxes. I've never seen this before. Also there is an option under IE tools called "repair brower". When I click on this I get redirected to a screen which has all chinese on it.

I can still get back to my normal home page and the browser appears to be working normally except for not being able to download an executable program.

Has anyone experienced something like this before and tell me how to fix this thing. Maybe I need to reinstall IE6 but I'm not sure how to do this. I am afraid of a virus or worm in IE but I always run AVG and a scan turned up nothing.

I really would appreciate any help.....

TomG

Comments

rs170a wrote on 4/27/2006, 5:58 PM
The only suggestion I can offer is to switch to Firefox. It's much better than IE, a lot smaller and (currently) less susceptible to hackers. There's a lot of features that IE doesn't even have yet (tabbed browsing is great!!) and there are numerous free plugins for it as well.

Mike
Bob Greaves wrote on 4/27/2006, 6:07 PM
Try Hijack this.
riredale wrote on 4/27/2006, 6:12 PM
I use Firefox all the time, but IE6 is not so bad.

Try this to repair your system.

I would also suggest that you get into a backup routine so that if you ever notice something strange going on, you can go back to a known good system. I've trashed my system so many times I've lost count. Thank goodness for DriveImage.
TomG wrote on 4/27/2006, 6:43 PM
Thanks, guys

I was able to restore my system to last Monday and everything seems to be OK now. I've NEVER been hijacked before but I'm afraid when I went to a webpage for the Kelon Air Conditioner Corp (they service Admiral air conditioners), that is where my IE got modified.

Somehow they got through my firewall, virus protection and spyware scanning. Is there any full protection out there?!?!

TomG
Chienworks wrote on 4/27/2006, 8:19 PM
About the closest you can get to full protection is to never connect to a network. Even then, i wouldn't be completely sure.
jrazz wrote on 4/27/2006, 8:23 PM
Is there any full protection out there?
No- and no one will ever make full protection. If they did, they would put themselves out of business and the hackers would no longer be able to have a hay day. Neither of these things can happen- hackers and virus/spyware/adware writers will always come up with something new and the companies who fight them will always be a step behind on the defense.

As for me- I use firefox at home- mainly b/c I am use to it and I use IE 7 Beta 2 at work b/c I have to use IE there. Beta 2 came out on tuesday and I have used the first beta for a while now. Tabbed browsing, page magnification up to 400 percent. Multi page preview of all your tabs, anti-phishing filters, etc. I like it and don't mind using it at all- actually, I kind of like it better than firefox. I am thinking about trying the new opera- especially since it is now free for all.

j razz
TheHappyFriar wrote on 4/27/2006, 9:19 PM
Sure there's full protection... use an XT to connect to the net via dialup & text based only. It can't support anything modern so even modern viri couldn't bother you. They need current systems to work.

;)

but I always suggest kepping at least 1 mozilla based browser installed at all times. Then you can see if it's general net problem or IE specific (nobody I give Pc help to uses IE or Outlook anymore).