Help! Spyware destroyed my network connection!

Question

Please help me.   I downloaded a file that wreaked havoc on my computer.  Not only did it disable my security software (McAfee) and implant tons of malicious adware and spyware (which I can deal with), it totally destroyed both my WiFi and LAN connections.   Prior to this spyware 'shock and awe' campaign, both my WiFi and LAN connections functioned perfectly.  Now, they both register as having 'limited or no connectivity', and do not work at all.  Instead of having an IP address in the 250 range, they both now have IP addresses beginning with 169.xxx.xxx.  I know that that signals some sort of a problem.   I've tried system restore, I've tried repairing the network connections, I've tried troubleshooting - all to no avail.   Someone, help me, please!

jwatt · Answer

dydst,

Spyware removal can sometimes leave the Winsock 2 "layered service provider" links in an unusable state. Try downloading and running WinsockXPFix. If that doesn't fix the problem, try lspfix.

If the problem still isn't resolved, download HijackThis, a malware analysis and removal tool, and submit the log it produces for analysis.

Here's an illustrated guide to installing and running HijackThis that you may find helpful.

Copy and paste the contents of the log you saved in a new message in the Virus/Spyware Information and Removal board. Be sure to describe the problem you're experiencing.

(edit) All the files referenced are small enough to fit on floppies.

Jim

Message Edited by jimw on 02-10-2005 01:59 PM

dydst · Answer

Thank you so much!    I've still got spyware in deep crevices of my computer (it's amazing how deep they can get in there), but you fixed my internet connectivity problem (which was the big annoyance).   Apparently the spyware corrupted my winsock settings!  I NEVER, in a million years, would have been able to figure that out.  I downloaded the winsock fix programs, but first I tried this command prompt, which fixed everything!    I opened up the command prompt, then typed:   netsh int ip reset 1.txt  (then hit 'ok')   netsh winsock reset (hit 'ok' again, then reset the computer)   Thanks Jim W!

jwatt · Answer

dydst,

You're welcome! And thanks for the information that the extensions to "netsh" made with XP Service Pack 2 actually fixes this all-too-common problem. That's much better than having to download a fix and carry the file to the machine with the damaged Winsock 2 stack.

Jim

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Help! Spyware destroyed my network connection!

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