I keep having this message appear when i restart my computer. *Malcious Script Detected* odbc.hta cannot be repaired*. I am running Windows XP Professional with Norton Antivirus as my security. I would like to know how to repair the virus?

I had the same problem on my machine (Windows 98), it looks like some spammer has created a worm that re-sets your Internet Explorer home page. The first instance I noticed I was in trouble was when I kept getting a message that C:\windows\system\explorer.exe was infected with a virus called downloader-hz. I couldn't find any info on this, but since this isn't the REAL explorer.exe I went ahead, booted into safe mode and removed it. (I also removed the line from msconfig that was re-running it every time I re-booted.) But I noticed my home page was still re-starting and I'd get a title bar on reboot down in the lower-left hand corner of the screen that said "odbc.hta", then my home page would re-set to c:\windows\homepage.htm So I went to the command prompt and edited both files (both were located in c:\windows), they both contained, what looked to me, like encrypted javascript. They were also flagged as system, hidden or read-only. attrib odbc.hta showed what flags I needed to turn off so I could delete the file. Ditto for attrib homepage.htm. Attrib is pretty easy to use, even if you've never used it. Let's say odbc.hta is flagged as hidden or system, attrib -h -s odbc.hta will remove the hidden and system tags. Now you just erase the file. Ditto for homepage.htm Re-booted the PC and all is well.

Jordan, Thank you for your easy to follow explanation. I'm a non-technical user, and had reached these messages having followed some Google search threads on odbc.hta. I am a new user of McAfee AV s/w and am receiving similar type warnings about this file, and was not sure whether it is even one I should prohibit - I now take it that I should! Many thanks - its the most helpful info I've found on this subject.