Neither Internet Explorer or Firefox will let me access Google, some search sites, and a private forum. I get a "cannot display webpage" in IE and "the connection to the server was reset while loading" in Firefox. Other sites run fine, but then other sites run extremely slow. All of my emails are gmail and I can't access them through Outlook Express anymore either. Tonight I learned I can access these sites through a proxy but I have no idea how safe that is.
I've done a search on the web (yahoo's search is the only one that works for me now) and it looks like people have reported similar problems over the past few years but it is a rare occurrence with no resolution except using a proxy. Is this malware? What is this?
I have a Hijack This log posted in the malware section but it's obsolete at this point because I've been tinkering all night. Things I have done in the past few days:
Avast viruscan
AVG viruscan
Trendmicro Housecall
Spybot
Adaware
System Restore
Combofix
Installed Windows Service Pack 3 for XP
Completed all updates for Windows XP
Installed Silverlight for Windows/IE
Installed Firefox 3
I deleted some unnecessary IE-related files with Hijack This
My host file does not contain the names of the sites I can't access
None of these actions resulted in a change in effectiveness, good or bad. Any advice would be appreciated. While I know this isn't a serious issue I am pulling my hair out because 1) I try hard to keep a clean computer and 2) this problem affects my email. Plus, on the surface it's starting to look less like malware and more of a systems thing, and that seems like it should have a simple fix.
Full Version: Browsers Won't Access Certain Sites
Hello Avianarama and welcome to BC 
I see that you have an HJT log posted here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic153256.html Because you have this log posted, you should NOT make further changes to your computer (install/uninstall programs, use special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc) unless advised by a HJT Team member, nor should you continue to ask for help elsewhere. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show in the log you already posted. Further, any modifications you make on your own may cause confusion for the helper assisting you and could complicate the malware removal process which would extend the time it takes to clean your computer.
From this point on the HJT Team should be the only members that you take advice from, until they have verified your log as clean.
Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are EXTREMELY busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.
If after 5 days you still have received no response, then post a link to your HJT log in the thread titled "Haven't Had A Reply In Five Days?".
To avoid confusion, I am closing this topic. Good luck with your log.
Orange Blossom
I see that you have an HJT log posted here: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic153256.html Because you have this log posted, you should NOT make further changes to your computer (install/uninstall programs, use special fix tools, delete files, edit the registry, etc) unless advised by a HJT Team member, nor should you continue to ask for help elsewhere. Doing so can result in system changes which may not show in the log you already posted. Further, any modifications you make on your own may cause confusion for the helper assisting you and could complicate the malware removal process which would extend the time it takes to clean your computer.
From this point on the HJT Team should be the only members that you take advice from, until they have verified your log as clean.
Please be patient. It may take a while to get a response because the HJT Team members are EXTREMELY busy working logs posted before yours. They are volunteers who will help you out as soon as possible. Once you have made your post and are waiting, please DO NOT make another reply until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. Generally the staff checks the forum for postings that have 0 replies as this makes it easier for them to identify those who have not been helped. If you post another response there will be 1 reply. A team member, looking for a new log to work may assume another HJT Team member is already assisting you and not open the thread to respond.
If after 5 days you still have received no response, then post a link to your HJT log in the thread titled "Haven't Had A Reply In Five Days?".
To avoid confusion, I am closing this topic. Good luck with your log.
Orange Blossom
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