I've got heavy duty trouble with spyware and trojans here on my 98SE machine. No matter what I do I can't get rid of everything (and I'm not even convinced Im getting rid of anything). I have run Ad-Aware, Spybot Search and Destroy, Trend Micro's Online Antispyware removal thing, and HijackThis. Spybot and Ad-Aware SEEM to get rid of some things but HijackThis and Trend Micro's online thing keep reporting the same results after many scans and after I get rid of the things that I need to. This is particularly strange for HijackThis. As well, I can't do any Windows Updates or Trend Micro's Online Virus scanner because I get and error message stating that I have not enabled ActiveX Controls. With the Windows Update thing as well, it states that I need to be logged on as Administrator to get the updates but I AM logged on as administrator. I am suspisious that this activity is caused by a trojan but I don't know. Can anyone help me dig out of this mess? Thanks Danny

Can you post the names of the virus or spyware that has been detected. If you dont remember, check the log of AdAware or SpyBot. I dont think you will be able to retrieve a log of the online virus scan, but the names of the problems would greatly increase the liklyhood that a tech-pert could help you.

Well....the only one that I know is there for sure is startpage.J or something like that (I am currently using a different computer) (according to AVG)). My home page has been changed to about.blank. Thanks Danny

You may have this one on your pc, but I doubt it is the one causing the headaches. Here is some info about the virus you mentioned and manual removal instructions. I would suggest posting the other virus/spyware names when you get time, because I dont think this is the only problem on your pc. http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.startpage.j.html

Well...one other thing that I can remember off hand is that I get an error message lots talking about "se.dll" if that gives you any clues. Danny

File Name: se.dll -------------------------- Description: Se.dll is a IE Browser Helper Object of adware SCBar/SearchExe variant. It adds a toolbar to Internet Explorer and generates popup ads while online. Security Issues: Hijacks browser searches. Can download and execute arbitrary code from its controlling server (search-exe.com). -------------------------- What Is It? IEPlugin Removal - se.dll What Does it Do? IEPlugin is an IE BHO that monitors web site addresses you visit, form contents and even your local file browsing! It also automatically updates and adds a few items to your favorites list. On top of this it will display ads when it finds certain keywords in your browser. Still, I don't think this is the heart of your problems. When you get time, post all the names of the viruses/spyware. I have some standard advice I offer to everyone in your shoes. First off, I highly reccommend downloading Startup Control Panel from the following link. Install this, once installed, you can locate it by going to start button-->settings-->control panel-->then double click the "Startup" icon. Once here, disable all programs you dont recognize or trust. By disabling them here, you will prevent them from loading when your pc starts, thus preventing them from regenerating themselves after a virus or spyware scan. Make sure to take time to go through each tab and disable everything you dont trust. (dont worry, if you disable something important you can always come back and recheck the box, you wont damage anything) You will have to reboot for this to take affect. After doing this, run your scanners again, and report back all the names you uncover. With the names, I can offer much more information.

What is your take on using Safe Mode to disable unwanted programs at startup? Is it really useful? Or is using third party software like what you mentioned better?