Error message at first log-on

i have recently been instally new software, games etc,
after scanning with anti virus software. i had one
programme (supposedly a game) whioch didnt work, yet
proceeded to plant lipstick kisses over my screen. now
whenever i log onto the internet for the first time, i
get an error message, often "connection closed
gracefully" but sometimes other messges "...could not
connect to ". i dont kno if this
is connected to the game issue, or if it just occured at
the same time. Either way, i am unable to system restore
(for reasons unknown) and am wondering how to stop the
messages? Any ideas?

On Sun, 10 Oct 2004 08:27:00 -0700,
wrote:

i have recently been instally new software, games etc,
after scanning with anti virus software. i had one
programme (supposedly a game) whioch didnt work, yet
proceeded to plant lipstick kisses over my screen. now
whenever i log onto the internet for the first time, i
get an error message, often "connection closed
gracefully" but sometimes other messges "...could not
connect to ". i dont kno if this
is connected to the game issue, or if it just occured at
the same time. Either way, i am unable to system restore
(for reasons unknown) and am wondering how to stop the
messages? Any ideas?

Scan for adware and spyware. You can use SpyBot.

Hans-Georg

--
No mail, please.

On Sun, 10 Oct 2004 08:27:00 -0700, wrote:

i have recently been instally new software, games etc,
after scanning with anti virus software. i had one
programme (supposedly a game) whioch didnt work, yet
proceeded to plant lipstick kisses over my screen. now
whenever i log onto the internet for the first time, i
get an error message, often "connection closed
gracefully" but sometimes other messges "...could not
connect to ". i dont kno if this
is connected to the game issue, or if it just occured at
the same time. Either way, i am unable to system restore
(for reasons unknown) and am wondering how to stop the
messages? Any ideas?

As Hans-Georg suggests, the problem is probably a spyware or virus infection.
However, IMHO you should be a little more thorough than just AdAware or Spybot
S&D. Current spyware is very deceptive when it installs itself on your
computer.

For an effective scan, you would do well to use HijackThis, and expert advice at
one or more spyware removal forums (and please post a link to your forum posts
here). All tools are free, so you have nothing to lose but some time. And all
tools should be used periodically in the future.

How current is your virus protection? Try one or more of these free online
virus scans, which should complement your current protection:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

Now check for, and learn to defend against, additional problems - adware,
crapware, spyware.

Start by downloading each of the following additional free tools:
AdAware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
CWShredder http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearch (v1/v2) MiniRemoval
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4113.html
HijackThis http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155
LSP-Fix and WinsockXPFix http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm
Spybot S&D http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download
Stinger http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger

Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. AdAware and Spybot S&D have install routines - run them.
The other downloaded programs can be copied into, and run from, any convenient
folder.

First, run Stinger. Have it remove any problems found.

Next, close all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, and run
CoolWWWSearch.SmartSearchMiniRemoval, then CWShredder. Have the latter fix all
problems found.

Next, run AdAware. First update it ("Check for updates now"), configure for
full scan (http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=5877), then scan. When
scanning finishes, remove all Critical Objects found.

Next, run Spybot S&D. First update it ("Search for updates"), then run a scan
("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and delete everything ("Fix Problems")
that is displayed in Red.

Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227
http://www1.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/prevent.php

Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following security forums (and please post a link to your forum posts, here):
Aumha: http://forum.aumha.org/index.php
Net-Integration: http://forums.net-integration.net/
Spyware Info: http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
Spyware Warrior: http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php
Tom Coyote: http://forums.tomcoyote.org/

If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage your
network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.

Finally, improve your chances for the future.

Harden your browser. There are various websites which will check for
vulnerabilities, here are three which I use.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/
https://testzone.secunia.com/browser_checker/

Block Internet Explorer ActiveX scripting from hostile websites (Restricted
Zone).
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/main.htm (IE-SpyAd)

Block known dangerous scripts from installing.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Block known spyware from installing.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html

Make sure that the spyware detection / protection products that you use are
reliable:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

Harden your operating system. Check at least monthly for security updates.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. Three Hosts file sources I
use:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(The third is included, and updated, with Spybot (see above)).

Maintain your Hosts file (merge / eliminate duplicate entries) with:
eDexter http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html
Hostess http://accs-net.com/hostess/

Secure your operating system, and applications. Don't use, or leave activated,
any accounts with names or passwords with trivial (guessable) values. Don't use
an account with administrative authority, except when you're intentionally doing
administrative tasks.

Use common sense. Yours. Don't install software based upon advice from unknown
sources. Don't install free software, without researching it carefully. Don't
open email unless you know who it's from, and how and why it was sent.

Educate yourself. Know what the risks are. Stay informed. Read Usenet, and
various web pages that discuss security problems. Check the logs from the
security products that you use regularly, look for things that don't belong, and
take action when necessary.

Cheers,
Chuck
Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.