Member Avatar for akhlaq768

Got a new machine from my mate,

just got the Internet set up and it seems that the home page is set to "about:blank" and it keeps on changing back to this site, even if I set another page to default.

Please help anyone

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Dani AI

Generated

This looks like a classic browser-hijack or an enforced setting rather than a simple preference problem. As described, Internet Explorer keeps reverting to about:blank even after a manual change — that pattern is commonly caused by either unwanted software that resets IE or a policy/registry entry forcing the page. and are right to suspect "nasties," but a short, safe troubleshooting routine will narrow it down.

Start with basic, low-risk triage: temporarily stop using the machine for sensitive tasks and disconnect from the network if practical. Boot into Safe Mode (to reduce active malware) and run a current anti-malware scan with reputable tools such as Malwarebytes and the standalone cleanup utility AdwCleaner. Reboot and test whether the home page stays changed.

If the problem remains, look at IE itself before touching the registry: check Internet Options -> General (is the Home page box greyed or does IE say the page is set by an administrator?), remove unknown add-ons (Manage Add-ons), and use Internet Options -> Advanced -> Reset Internet Explorer settings. Inspect startup/auto-run entries with Autoruns (Sysinternals) and capture a diagnostics log (the old tool HijackThis still produces readable logs many helpers can parse). Those logs are what forum helpers use to spot persistent registry keys, scheduled tasks, or startup entries that reapply the change.

After successful cleanup, update Windows/IE, change important passwords, and watch for reappearance. If the homepage is explicitly locked by policy or the machine came pre-configured by someone else, check Group Policy (gpedit) or ask the donor before editing system keys. If unsure, post the Autoruns/HijackThis output so experienced members can point to the exact entries to remove.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for Bear

I recommend you post a Hijack This Log on the Viruses, Spyware, and other Nasties board HTH

Member Avatar for DMR

I recommend you post a Hijack This Log on the Viruses, Spyware, and other Nasties board HTH

Yes, please do the above; it sounds as though you inherited some "nasties" with the computer. :(

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