I have an older computer running Windows 98 second edition, I use Verizon DSL service to access the internet. I can surf fine until I get to Yahoo or eBay. When I log on, I get a pop up window from Norton stating that there is a script error. I have options to stop script (recommended), allow script once, allow script always. If I choose to stop, my browser closes. If I choose to allow once, my hard drive makes a humming sound and everything running on computer slows to a near stop. I used to run spysweeper and it would find and remove: Alexa toolbar, Coolwww, and CC(something), I cant remember what the last part was. I now cannot run Spysweeper, it states there is an error and will not run. When I open my browser it opens with about:blank, I have but a few seconds to go somewhere else otherwise I get redirected to cc.count, somekind of search engine. If it gets to that I have to shut my browser down and restart it. also when I try to open "My Computer" I get a window stating that window explorer is trying to access the internet. I have zoneAlarm installed and running. Why would my window explorer try to access the internet? Why is it only Yahoo and eBay that I get a script error?

It is http://count.cc, that is the website I get redirected to when I am not fast enough to find somewhere else to go, after the about:blank page comes up first.

You've picked up some adware/malware.

First try running a "real-Time" on_line A_V scan. Here's a couple of links;

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

http://housecall.antivirus.com/housecall/start_pcc.asp

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

It wouldn't hurt to run all three.


Once finished, follow the instructions here>>HiJackThis prerequisites,

and then post your log in a new thread in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs Forum.

Once things are cleaned, you may want to set your Home Page, then lock it. Here's a lock reg file (along with an unlock reg file);

Well, I ran the bitdefender online, It scanned and deleted:
BitDefender Online Scanner - Real Time Virus Report
Generated at: Mon, Nov 26, 2007 - 13:25:50
-------------------------------------------
Scan Info: Scanned Files; 299212
Infected Files; 296
Virus Detected
Generic.Malware.dld!!.B47EDCEC 3
Trojan.Mezzia.CY 103
Trojan.Agent.QT 3
DeepScan:Generic.Zlob.CDAAE811 1
Trojan.Downloader.Dyfuca.EY 3
Generic.Malware.dld!!.87BE852E 3
Trojan.Downloader.Delf.OG 3
Dropped:Trojan.Fakealert.AW 6
Trojan.Downloader.Small.UN 3
Trojan.StartPage.DU 6
Trojan.Downloader.Femad.XA 1
Trojan.Generic.27004 1
Trojan.Startpage.XB 3
Generic.Malware.dld!!.C0B474AA 3
Trojan.Peed.Gen 60
Trojan.Click.526 3
Trojan.Downloader.Agent.BKL 1
Trojan.Clicker.Agent.DB 3
Trojan.Clicker.Vb.NK 3
Trojan.Js.Startpage.U 7
Trojan.Dropper.Agent.NJ 72
Generic.Malware.Ssp!.05D01926 3
Trojan.Downloader.FunWeb.A 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------This summary of the scan process will be used by the BitDefender Antivirus Lab to create agregate statistics about virus activity around the world.
It stated there was one file that could not be deleted or disinfected.
The Housecall link, came up as 404.
When I went to trendmicro and click on "scan now, its free" I got redirected to the http://count.cc page. I have not tried to log onto yahoo yet. I will do that and post the results. First I will reboot my computer.

Well, nothing changed. I still get the about:blank page when I start IE, And when I log on to Yahoo, I can get to where I click on my "inbox" then everything slows to a crawl. I guess I did get rid of some adware/malware. What is malware anyway? Is it short for malicious?

Got a few on the first pass.

My second link was indeed outdated. (I forgot to delete it when I grabbed the newest (working) link, (the third link in my post). Apologies.

This count.cc has locked itself in.

No Home Page control, and everything slowing down on the net verifies (to me anyway) that there's adware etc still going on.

"What is malware anyway? Is it short for malicious?"

Yes. There's destructive malicious, and just annoying/infringement malicious. (MalWare) In short, it invades, consumes resources, and taxes bandwidth counting where you go and what you're seeking, and reporting it back to some internet location.



You should now follow the links in the second half of my #3 post. Perform the HiJackThis prerequisites and post in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs Forum.
The Tech's there specialize in this realm.