Can You Help

mycomputer | 0522/05 | mcenedo

[mcenedo]

Can anyone help?

When I click on a link I often get the message:

Error

Not Found

The requested URL was not found on this server

and the URL that pops up is:

http://www.adsourcecorp.com/404_not_found.htm

Any help would be appreciated.

mcenedo

[martin_fierro]

[wolfpat]

Is this just FR links, or any links on any pages?

[al baby]

Are you loggeg on?

[backhoe]

When is the last time you cleaned the registry, defragged the drive, and scanned for malware?

What OS and browser are you using, and on what Iron ( the hardware )?

[JamminJAY]

www.adsourcecorp.com

It appears the company that hijacked your browser server is down.

Jammer

[wolfpat]

He's not getting back to us. He might have a really bad trojan. I got one earlier today (Norton caught it).

[backhoe]

He's not getting back to us. He might have a really bad trojan. I got one earlier today (Norton caught it).

That's what I suspected. Forgot to ask if he has a hardware firewall- they are virtually a necessity nowadays.

[FairOpinion]

So how do you reclaim your browser from a hijacker like this?

Somehow they set something in your computer, so you have to go through to their server to get to the internet, and if you block their site, you just can't even get to the internet.

I had something like that happen to me a while back and anti-spyware and viruscheck software couldn't find anything wrong, and I ended up reinstalling my entire operating system, because I didn't know what else to do. I either had the choice to go to the hijacker's server, THEN to the internet, or not get to the internet at all.

Could you please let us know first of all, how do you check to see that something like this isn't happening and how do you get rid of it, when it does?

Thanks.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Firewalls and anti-viral and anti-malware programs are your friends...all updated regularly....

[reformed_democrat]

Download and install Ad-Aware here. Another useful site is PC Pitstop here.

I've used both of these sites for years with a number of computers and have had no problems with them. Be careful of pop-ups asking if you want to "scan for spyware." Many times these are the same hijackers looking to install yet more spyware on your machine.

[OldFriend]

About Ad-Aware....you need to be on the internet to get the updates. It's been doing a great job so far, and it's FREE.

[ElkGroveDan]

Sounds like you have nefarious spyware or adware that went bad.

Download the latest Spytbot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft's Adaware cleaners and run them both.

[reformed_democrat]

So how do you reclaim your browser from a hijacker like this?

See my post #11 -- Ad-Aware is the best free software out there to get rid of browser hijacks and spyware. However, even they can't get rid of everything. I had a particularly difficult piece of spyware that attached itself to my browser and could not be deleted. I went to PC Pitstop and purchased Spyware Doctor for $30.00. After installing and running it, I was finally able to rid myself of the IBID (WebSearch, WebTools) toolbar.

Whoever is writing these programs needs to be staked out in the desert directly over a fire ant hill. Hangin's too good for 'em.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Good programs to have: Spybot search and destroy, Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster, A good quality anti-viral like AVG, and there are some extra goodies like ewido security suit which can work without messing up your anti-viral and will search for and block trojans that your anti-virus program misses (run scan once in awhile too, because some stuff still can sneak in in the real-time blocking mode.), Prevx Intrusion prevention which works with your firewall to help protect against sneaky stuff coming in.

Don't use IE to go to sites that are heavy in advertisements. Get software that block ads. Be careful about using Java.

[reformed_democrat]

I couldn't function without Ad-Aware. I wanted to purchase their professional version, but they didn't take the only credit card I have, so I ended up at PC Pitstop. I've purchased several of their products and have had very good luck with them.

If I ever win the lottery, I'm going to send Lavasoft (Ad-Aware's developers) a million bucks. They deserve it.

[Knitting A Conundrum]

PC Pitstop is a good place. I like it too...

[faq]

Start with Lavasoft Ad-Aware and Spybot Search and Destroy. Then here are some more ideas:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

Report back in three days and let us know if you have made any progress.

[OldFriend]

I am a complete tech dummie and don't know much about anything.....but I do know that Ad Aware is awesome!

I have Norton and check for updates every single day....run the one button scan and the full computer scan every couple of days.

[JamminJAY]

Try TDS-3. It is a very good trojan detector.
TDS-3

Jammer

[easonc52]

If 'adsourcecorp' is spelled correctly, it seems new because there are no people complaining about it on the internet.

The suggestions of Ad-Aware and others are good.

ZoneAlarm (free at Click Here) is a decent software firewall, but the ad and trojan software products need to be run also (some are free and good as noted above).

[reformed_democrat]

I found them by accident, when I was running WinME and (surprise, surprise) experienced a number of "spontaneous reboots." Nothing like a compter that sheds its information every 1/2 hour . . .

They are the kind of guys I'd like to have working for me.

[Billthedrill]

Jammin' Jay's got it. You've been hijacked.

I use both Spybot S&D - DOWNLOAD here - and Ad-Aware - DOWNLOAD here - on a weekly basis, more if I've been lured to a site that I didn't intend to visit. They tend to complement one another - some stuff that one skips the other picks up.

If it gets harder than that (like some of the new Cool Websearch variants) shoot me a FReepmail and we'll go through it.

[FairOpinion]

Thanks.

Yes, I have all the usual ones, and something still got through.

[FairOpinion]

Thanks. I hadn't heard of TDS-3. I'll try it.

[reformed_democrat]

I am a complete tech dummie and don't know much about anything

I know what you mean. I'm completely self-trained, and have found most of my solutions by stumbling over them while looking for something else. I found Ad-Aware on a Sims download site (of all places) when I went looking for the reason why my game kept crashing.

[JamminJAY]

If 'adsourcecorp' is spelled correctly, it seems new

Yes it is very new.

Domain Name: ADSOURCECORP.COM
Registrar: TUCOWS INC.
Whois Server: whois.opensrs.net
Referral URL: http://domainhelp.tucows.com
Name Server: NS1.MERMAIDCONSULTING.DK
Name Server: NS2.MERMAIDCONSULTING.DK
Name Server: NS3.MERMAIDCONSULTING.DK
Status: ACTIVE
Updated Date: 09-may-2005
Creation Date: 09-may-2005
Expiration Date: 09-may-2006

I wonder if they are using the Flash Media exploit.

Jammer

[faq]

Free online virus and trojan scan here: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
If you are using Windows XP boot in "safe mode with networking support" and remain in there first.

[SquirrelKing]

Too much porn on your hard drive?

*ducking*

[Knitting A Conundrum]

Some of the worst places to go besides those are music lyrics places...tons of stuff. I use an ad blocker and Mozilla...but once in a while I still get stuff. Nothing really troublesome as a rule, mostly tracking cookies, but still.

When in doubt, scan.

[SquirrelKing]

True. I've got all the McAfee stuff on mine. As far as i know it works well enough. Any opinion?

[Knitting A Conundrum]

I use McAfee on one computer and AVG on the other...I like AVG a lot, and the company's not the irritation McAfee is when it comes to advertising, and works well with my security products.

[FairOpinion]

" I had a particularly difficult piece of spyware that attached itself to my browser and could not be deleted. I went to PC Pitstop and purchased Spyware Doctor for $30.00. "

Thanks. I'll try it. I already have multiple anti-spyware and firewall programs on my computer, but as you say, none catch everything. I didn't know Spyware Doctor catches stuff others don't.

"Whoever is writing these programs needs to be staked out in the desert directly over a fire ant hill. Hangin's too good for 'em."

I couldn't agree with you more.

[martin_fierro]

I like AVG, too, and have been installing the free version on my machines after the Norton Antivirus subscription runs out.

AVG updates itself frequently and scans your computer aggressively. Good stuff.

[OldFriend]

game??? You mean you can play a game on your computer???

[reformed_democrat]

The Sims isn't so much a game as an addiction.

So technically, no. I don't play a game on my computer. I use my powers only for taxes, banking, FReeping, and, occasionally, a study of cyberperson interaction methods and outcomes.

I knew that vocabulary course would pay off someday.

[OldFriend]

I purchased PC-Cilln from Trend Micro and it let every virus known to man in to my computer.

[lodwick]

Avast also has a fine set of tools, free, for home use, and there's VCatch and BitDefender for even more protection, with both free and premium versions.

Stay safe, guys.

[S.O.S121.500]

LINKbump

[AlBondigas]

Microsoft's FREE antispyware will fix it.
1.download it
2. install it
3. launch it & search the net for updates.
4. scan yer 'puter

[Rebelbase]

Hijack This is great tool for cleaning out those pesky spyware that hide in the registry.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html

[AlBondigas]

Forgot: U need Win2000 or Win XP to run the anitspyware

[nw_arizona_granny]

Bookmark......

[Smartaleck]

Domain name: ADSOURCECORP.COM

Administrative Contact:
Simpson, Gerald
809 Cedar Canyon Rd
Billings, Montana 59101-6446
US
+1.4062452857
ISP 206.113.207.53

Yet another tracker indicates
Registrant:
Adsource Inc ADSOURCE6-DOM
16241 Meadview
Chesterfield MO 63005
US
Domain Name: ADSOURCE.COM
Administrative Contact Technical Contact:
Adsource Inc opadmin@ATHENIX.COM
206.113.207.53
Record expires on 22-Jun-2006.
Record created on 26-Jul-1995.
Database last updated on 23-May-2005 07: 39: 15 EDT.