I have the dreaded about:blank virus on IE.

Couple of questions

1. If I download Mozilla instead and never use IE again, is this ok (I find the whole process I've seen here to get rid of about:blank too difficult to understand for my lack of IT knowledge)

2. How did this get on my explorer in the first place?

Thats not a virus its just your homepage set to that, keep it like it, its better that way

Originally Posted by patriotcow

Thats not a virus its just your homepage set to that, keep it like it, its better that way

Are you taking the piss? It is a trojan virus that is causing massive problems to loads of people, I would expect a better answer than that here. Thanks for nothing!

wow so ungrateful glad I never provided free help anyway!

patriotcow, I think whats hes reffering to is the very widespread hijacker called about:blank or possibly HSA, not the default Windows homepage.

Grant D, patriotcow is not a professional in security and was offering some advice. patriotcow mistaked the hijacker for the Windows Homepage "about:blank" which is basically a blank page that some users use. Perfectly legitimate. There is a reason for everything in life, just make sure you know that reason before taking offence .

Could you please read my signature. Run the appropriate program and post a Hijack This log.

In answer to your question how did it get in?, it was either: a lack of Windows Updates, a lack of protection, bundled with an application you downloaded or downloaded by another infection which could be present on your PC. Of course I can't tell you which one for definite, because I don't know what you have visited, etc, etc.

Thanks Owen, sorry Patriotcow, unaware that that was a serious answer

Hijach this log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 08:58:19, on 29/01/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark X74-X75\lxbbbmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-gb\msnappau.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark X74-X75\lxbbbmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\dpclt1.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\ypager.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\GRANT DUGUID\DESKTOP\hijackthis.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\tbps.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WSup.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\PIB.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\radio.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.euro.dell.com/countries/u...en/default.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.websearch.com/ie.aspx?tb_id=50213
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.euro.dell.com/countries/u...en/default.htm
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchAssistant = http://www.websearch.com/ie.aspx?tb_id=50213
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,CustomizeSearch = res://C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll/sa
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = res://C:\DOCUME~1\JADEDU~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\sp.dll/sp.html
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = about:blank
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.websearch.com/ie.aspx?tb_id=50213
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = res://C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll/sa
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {00000010-6F7D-442C-93E3-4A4827C2E4C8} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: 3721CMail - {6231D512-E4A4-4DF2-BE62-5B8F0EE348EF} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {8642DA5B-1C56-453F-82C1-81612E380DA0} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\phkjac.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {87766247-311C-43B4-8499-3D5FEC94A183} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsB.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {8952A998-1E7E-4716-B23D-3DBE03910972} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: ST - {9394EDE7-C8B5-483E-8773-474BF36AF6E4} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\ST\01.02.3000.1002\en-xu\stmain.dll
O2 - BHO: MSNToolBandBHO - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.3000.1001\en-gb\msntb.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: MSN - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\MSN Toolbar\01.02.3000.1001\en-gb\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Search Toolbar - {339BB23F-A864-48C0-A59F-29EA915965EC} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdaptecDirectCD] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 5\DirectCD\DirectCD.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X74-X75] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark X74-X75\lxbbbmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [helper.dll] C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe C:\PROGRA~1\3721\helper.dll,Rundll32
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [msnappau] "C:\Program Files\MSN Apps\Updater\01.02.3000.1001\en-gb\msnappau.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSC_UserPrompt] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\UsrPrmpt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDMon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ZPg] C:\documents and settings\jade duguid\local settings\temp\ZPg.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ps3j3mX] dpclt1.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinTools] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsA.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TBPS] C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [TBPS] C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\TBPS.exe /boot
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [WinTools] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\WinTools\WToolsA.exe /boot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\System32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - Startup: DLHelperEXE.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Short Message - {00000000-0000-0001-0001-596BAEDD1289} - http://sms.3721.com/ie/index.htm (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Instant Messenger - {0F7DE07D-BD74-4991-9D5F-ECBB8391875D} - http://cn.rd.yahoo.com/home/messenge...ger.yahoo.com/ (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Your Poker Room Poker - {4DDD8E99-7835-4692-A4F5-11B7BFA021B8} - C:\Program Files\citypokerMPP\MPPoker.exe
O9 - Extra button: 3721CMail - {5D73EE86-05F1-49ed-B850-E423120EC329} - http://cmail.3721.com?fb=client (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: The Gaming Club Poker - {A18AC347-2CA3-4e5d-AB86-33BFC7EEB931} - C:\Program Files\gamingclubMPP\MPPoker.exe
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - c:\program files\partypoker\IEExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - c:\program files\partypoker\IEExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\MSMSGS.EXE
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Blackjack - http://download.games.yahoo.com/game...ts/y/jt0_x.cab
O16 - DPF: Yahoo! Chess - http://download.games.yahoo.com/game...ts/y/ct1_x.cab
O16 - DPF: {1D4DB7D2-6EC9-47A3-BD87-1E41684E07BB} - http://ak.imgfarm.com/images/nocache...tup1.0.0.6.cab
O16 - DPF: {AED98630-0251-4E83-917D-43A23D66D507} (WebHandler Class) - http://activex.microgaming.com/DLhel...7/dlhelper.cab
O16 - DPF: {B38870E4-7ECB-40DA-8C6A-595F0A5519FF} (MsnMessengerSetupDownloadControl Class) - http://messenger.msn.com/download/Ms...Downloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - https://download.macromedia.com/pub/...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {D8089245-3211-40F6-819B-9E5E92CD61A2} (FlashXControl Object) - https://register3.valueactive.com/mp...CX/FlashAX.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.comp...bio5_2_3_0.cab
O18 - Protocol: tpro - {FF76A5DA-6158-4439-99FF-EDC1B3FE100C} - C:\PROGRA~1\Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Firewall Monitor Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\IWP\NPFMntor.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe

Hi Owen, having any luck with this one?

HI GUYS: I'm new this evening from Canada, attracted to the forum, thru MSN search on this very subject I call it b & b, because it's eating up my time like crazy..oddly I brought the 'inconvenience' on myself... as I d/n/ l'd an little program offer for software to [huh huh] stabilize anyone from stealing my default ISP assoc. Ma Bell Home page, as in forever after...A week later l've change my mind as it conflicts with a good scanner picking up the discrepancies back and forth with ma bell, and now I want msn for home page..so it's a never ending little cycle....Mine I doubt it's a trojan but act's similar, unfortuneately I've 're-moved' a lot of small similar kind of software, and don't even know the name of the original.. This is odd - for I alway's [most] write down on pad of paper any major/mini changes that I apply to my computer, running xphome..so I'm watching this thread with great interest..It's easy to spot the referred to in post legit-'blank' item in the registry list.. But I couldn't discern the other critter/vagrant or not---but I know you guy's will.. This looks like a super forum..Will stick with it--quite professional help.. Presume it's England bound - as a security up to newer 1.99.1 offer is encourage'd, I'll look into that pronto.. Good evening from the wintry blast's of Canada, where few kannu's are operating.. + k

hi grant try reposting it here

owen is a very busy boy and looks for logs there rather than posted elsewhere.