Hi Lowell,
I would suggest you start by doing a virus scan with up to date virus
software, then scan for and removing any installed spyware.
If you are in need of virus software, here are a couple to choose from, for
free.
Download the software, and in Update Manager run Update
then do a complete virus scan.
Free Offer: eTrust EZ Armor Security Suite from Computer Associates
http://www.my-etrust.com/microsoft/index.cfm
Search and destroy any installed Parasites:
Ad-aware is a free multi spyware removal utility that scans
your memory, registry and hard drives for known spyware
components and lets you remove them safely. After installing
Ad-Aware make sure to run the update feature before scanning.
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/ For large amounts of installed
spyware and such, it may be necessary to run Ad-Aware several
times to clear them all.
Here are a couple more removal tools.
CWShredder:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html
Download Link:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe
Spybot:
http://www.safer-networking.org/
HijackThis - use with respect and caution!:
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php#hjt
SpywareBlaster:
http://www.wilderssecurity.net/spywareblaster.html
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it
prevents it from ever being installed. SpywareBlaster is
a non memory resident utility. It works by setting a "kill bit"
for the CLSIDs of spyware ActiveX controls, it prevents the
installation of any of them from a webpage.
For more information:
The Parasite Fight:
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
Darnit:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm#tshoot
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites:
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
--
Regards,
Bert Kinney [MS-MVP DTS]
http://dts-l.org/
How to Configure Outlook Express for Internet News:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=171164
"Lowell Copeland" wrote
I recently have found that I have a background screen
filled with small swastikas. I don't know how they got
there, and I don't know how to get rid of them.
Control Panel - Display - Background - (none) but what
shows up is a black background with tiny swastikas.
Any body got any ideas. For example, what is the name of
the file that is used to create "None" on the desktop
background.
Thanks
Lowell