Hi Crunchie & everyone there;)

I did a Spybot s&d scan, and got 'SpywareStormer', so I clicked on the 'Fixed Selected problems' button after scan was done. But then after some time it showed again, then I decided to do a pestscan at http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=freePestPatrolScan&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715 and it showed 'WebSearch Toolbar-Hijacker' with the registry link: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\internet explorer\activex compatibility\{8952a998-1e7e-4716-b23d-3dbe0391072}. Next I went on 'Registry Editor' to delete that thing, but same thing again, immediately after deleting it, I did a pestscan scan again but it was there again. They keep reappearing though I keep deleting them. I want to fix the problems soon. Please reply as soon as possible. Thanks for your fast reply and help.

Here's the Hijackthis log:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 12:07:34 AM, on 4/26/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\NMSSvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Promon.exe
C:\Program Files\Alcatel\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Sktempdm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Skdaemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ymsgr_tray.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Nooranee\hjt\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/su/ymsgr6/*http://www.yahoo.com
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\ycomp5_5_7_1.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\DOCUME~1\Nooranee\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - C:\DOCUME~1\Nooranee\SPYWAR~2\tools\iesdsg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\ycomp5_5_7_1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Smapp] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Promon.exe] Promon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Detect Kbd Daemon] SK2000DM.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ConfigSafe] C:\CFGSAFE\NTFSCLUP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CSScheduleCheck] C:\CFGSAFE\SCHWIZEX.EXE -CHECK
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpeedTouch USB Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Alcatel\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe" /icon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorksFUD] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Maps - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {2359626E-7524-4F87-B04E-22CD38A0C88C} (ICSScannerLight Class) - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/cm/ICSCM.cab
O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) - http://ppupdates.ca.com/downloads/scanner/axscanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {33564944-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
O16 - DPF: {4E010EB6-E1D4-4CD6-A506-E5DC564586DB} - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
O16 - DPF: {556DDE35-E955-11D0-A707-000000521957} - http://www.xblock.com/download/xclean_micro.exe
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5consumer/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1109354406187
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsClient.cab31267.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} (Yahoo! Companion) - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
O16 - DPF: {F6BF0D00-0B2A-4A75-BF7B-F385591623AF} (Solitaire Showdown Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/SolitaireShowdown.cab31267.cab
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: Fax - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) NMS - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\NMSSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: SNMP Service - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SNMP Trap Service - Unknown - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor - Zone Labs LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

You're running a slightly older (1.99.0) version of HijackThis.

Before we start to dig in, please download the latest (1.99.1) version and post a log from that version.

You're running a slightly older (1.99.0) version of HijackThis.

Before we start to dig in, please download the latest (1.99.1) version and post a log from that version.

Hi DMR:)

Thanks for replying...

Here's the new HijackThis log:


Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 2:34:28 AM, on 4/26/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

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:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\NMSSvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Promon.exe
C:\Program Files\Alcatel\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Sktempdm.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Skdaemon.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\msiexec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\MsiExec.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\Driver\7\INTEL3~1\IDriver.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Nooranee\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ie/defaults/su/ymsgr6/*http://www.yahoo.com
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\ycomp5_5_7_1.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\DOCUME~1\Nooranee\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - C:\DOCUME~1\Nooranee\SPYWAR~2\tools\iesdsg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\ycomp5_5_7_1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Smapp] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\Smtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Promon.exe] Promon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Detect Kbd Daemon] SK2000DM.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ConfigSafe] C:\CFGSAFE\NTFSCLUP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CSScheduleCheck] C:\CFGSAFE\SCHWIZEX.EXE -CHECK
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpeedTouch USB Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Alcatel\SpeedTouch USB\Dragdiag.exe" /icon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WorksFUD] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Portfolio] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe /AllUsers
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Maps - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {2359626E-7524-4F87-B04E-22CD38A0C88C} (ICSScannerLight Class) - http://download.zonelabs.com/bin/free/cm/ICSCM.cab
O16 - DPF: {2FC9A21E-2069-4E47-8235-36318989DB13} (PPSDKActiveXScanner.MainScreen) - http://ppupdates.ca.com/downloads/scanner/axscanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {33564944-0000-0010-8000-00AA00389B71} - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
O16 - DPF: {4E010EB6-E1D4-4CD6-A506-E5DC564586DB} - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
O16 - DPF: {556DDE35-E955-11D0-A707-000000521957} - http://www.xblock.com/download/xclean_micro.exe
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/v5consumer/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1109354406187
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsClient.cab31267.cab
O16 - DPF: {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} (Yahoo! Companion) - http://activex.microsoft.com/objects/ocget.dll
O16 - DPF: {F6BF0D00-0B2A-4A75-BF7B-F385591623AF} (Solitaire Showdown Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/SolitaireShowdown.cab31267.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\System32\NavLogon.dll
O23 - Service: DefWatch - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\DefWatch.exe
O23 - Service: Fax - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Intel(R) NMS (NMSSvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\NMSSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus Client (Norton AntiVirus Server) - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\Rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Driver Helper Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: SNMP Service (SNMP) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: SNMP Trap Service (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

I could certainly be missing something, but I don't see anything in your log that would be responsible for the infection warnings you're getting. HijackThis isn't designed to detect everything though, so let's start with this:


A) Reboot into safe mode (you get to the safe mode boot option by hitting the F8 key as your computer is starting up)

- Open Windows Explorer, and in the Folder Options->View settings under the Tools menu, select "show hidden files and folders", and uncheck "Hide protected operating system files" and "Hide extentions for known file types".

- For every user account listed under C:\Documents and Settings, delete the entire contents of these folders (but not the folders themselves):

Important: One of the normal steps in eliminating malicious programs is to entirely delete the contents of all Temp folders. Given that, if any data that you care about is living in those Temp folders, you need to move it to a safe location now, or it will be erased along with everything else!

1. Local Settings\Temp
2. Cookies
3. History
4. Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5

- Delete the entire content of your C:\Windows\Temp folder.

- Delete the entire contents of your C:\Windows\Prefetch folder.

Note- If you get any messages concerning the deletion of system files such as desktop.ini or index.dat, just choose to delete those files; they'll be automatically regenerated by Windows if needed. Windows will allow you to delete the versions of those files which exist in sub-folders within the main Temp/Temorary folders, but might not let you delete the versions of those files that exist in the main Temp folders themselves; this is normal and OK.

- Turn off XP's System Restore feature

- Empty your Recycle Bin.

- Reboot normally.


B) Download and Ad Aware from the link in my sig below. Configure and run as follows:

Close ALL windows except Ad-Aware SE

Click on the‘world’ icon at the top right of the Ad-Aware SE window and let AdAware SE update the reference list for the adware and malware. Once the update is finished click on the ‘Gear’ icon (second from the left at the top of the window) to access the preferences/settings window

1) In the ‘General’ window make sure the following are selected in green:
*Automatically save log-file
*Automatically quarantine objects prior to removal
*Safe Mode (always request confirmation)

Under Definitions:
*Prompt to udate outdated definitions - set the number of days


2) Click on the ‘Scanning’ button on the left and select in green :

Under Driver, Folders & Files:
*Scan Within Archives

Under Select drives & folders to scan -
*choose all hard drives

Under Memory & Registry: all green
*Scan Active Processes
*Scan Registry
*Deep Scan Registry
*Scan my IE favorites for banned URL’s
*Scan my Hosts file


3) Click on the ‘Advanced’ button on the left and select in green:

Under Shell Integration:
*Move deleted files to recycle bin

Under Logfile Detail Level: (all green)
*include addtional object information
*DESELECT - include negligible objects information
*include environment information

Under Alternate Data Streams:
*Don't log streams smaller than 0 bytes
*Don't log ADS with the following names: CA_INOCULATEIT


4) Click the ‘Tweak’ button and select in green:

Under the ‘Scanning Engine’:
*Unload recognized processes during scanning
*Scan registry for all users instead of current user only


Under the ‘Cleaning Engine’:
*Let Windows remove files in use at next reboot


Under the Log Files:
*Include basic Ad-aware SE settings in logfile
*Include additional Ad-aware SE settings in logfile
*Please do not check or make green: Include Module list in logfile


5. Click on ‘Proceed’ to save the settings.

6. Click ‘Start’

*Choose:'Perform Full System Scan'
*DESELECT "Search for negligible risk entries", as negligible risk entries (MRU's) are not considered to be a threat.

7. Click ‘Next’ and Ad-Aware SE will scan your hard drive(s) with the options you have selected and clean automatically.

8. If Ad-Aware SE finds bad entries, you will receive a list of what it found in the window; select all entries for fixing.

9. Save the log file when it asks and then click ‘finish’

10. REBOOT to complete the removal of what Ad-Aware SE found


C) Do at least two of the following free online virus/malware scans:

http://www.kaspersky.com/scanforvirus.html
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?cid=9914


D) Reboot, try the SpyBot and CA pestscans again, and see if they still find problems.

Hi :-(

Thanks for your reply...

I did everything, I don't get the 'SpywareStormer' again but the pestscan scan ....still shows the 'WebSearch Toolbar-Hijacker' with the link: hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\internet explorer\activex compatibility\{8952a998-1e7e-4716-b23d-3dbe0391072}

I noticed 1 thing though, when I delete the registry value and click on 'Immunize' at the left of Spybot s&d it says '1 protection still possible please immunize', if I do a pestscan scan it doesn't show it, but if I immunize it, it shows again on pestscan scan.

Please reply as soon as possible about how to fix this problem. Thanks for your fast reply.

That sounds like it may be bug. I'll look in to it ang get back later today.

That sounds like it may be bug. I'll look in to it ang get back later today.

Hi, thanks for helping:)

I just did some tests and found the message from pestscan to be erroneous. Here's what's going on:

Pestscan is misinterpreting a protective setting made by SpyBot.

- SpyBot's "immunize" feature sets the "Kill Bit" on dangerous ActiveX controls.

- Setting the Kill Bit involves changing the DWORD value of the ActiveX control's "Compatibilty Flags" entry in the controls CLSID key to a value of 00000400. hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\internet explorer\activex compatibility is where those CLSID keys live.

- If the CLSID {8952a998-1e7e-4716-b23d-3dbe0391072} does not already exist in your Registry, SpyBot will create the CLSID and set the Kill Bit when it immunizes as a measure of future protection.

The only conclusion I can come to is that Pestscan knows enough to identify the CLSID in question as refering to a possibly dangerous ActiveX control, but doesn't see that SpyBot has set the Kill Bit on it; hence the warning.

I just did some tests and found the message from pestscan to be erroneous. Here's what's going on:

Pestscan is misinterpreting a protective setting made by SpyBot.

- SpyBot's "immunize" feature sets the "Kill Bit" on dangerous ActiveX controls.

- Setting the Kill Bit involves changing the DWORD value of the ActiveX control's "Compatibilty Flags" entry in the controls CLSID key to a value of 00000400. hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\internet explorer\activex compatibility is where those CLSID keys live.

- If the CLSID {8952a998-1e7e-4716-b23d-3dbe0391072} does not already exist in your Registry, SpyBot will create the CLSID and set the Kill Bit when it immunizes as a measure of future protection.

The only conclusion I can come to is that Pestscan knows enough to identify the CLSID in question as refering to a possibly malicious ActiveX control, but doesn't see that SpyBot has set the Kill Bit on it; hence the warning.

Hi:)

Thanks again for helping. I'm happy:) to know that I don't have that malicious ActiveX thing.

I'm 99% sure you're fine.

I finally had time to look up the name of the program associated with the CLSID {8952a998-1e7e-4716-b23d-3dbe0391072}. It is an ActiveX control installed and used by the "HuntBar" family of search-hijacker parasites, which SpyBot is capable of detecting and removing.

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