ID:182631
 
Is there a way to disable internet explorer so it absolutely won't start up without my input? Recently it's been starting up and bringing up pop-ups without my action whenever I'm usually browsing on firefox, and I shut down EVERY instance in my Task manager, and in like 10-30 minutes they start up again.

Can someone please tell me how to "Disable" IE so I don't got to put up with it except when I desire.
Sounds like your computer is infected. You would be better off cleaning it instead of hiding the symptoms. Scan with anti-spyware and anti-virus. Also, since they pop-up without your action, you could try looking for the process that is spawning them in task manager. Easiest thing to do is go through and type all your processes into Google and see what comes up (Neuber.com gives pretty good info and should be near the top of the list).

A second place to check is startup programs in msconfig, but I wouldn't muck about in there unless you know what you're doing.

Since IE is integrated into Windows (hurrah Microsoft!), it cannot be fully disabled. You can *remove* it to some extent, though. Goto add/remove programs, add/remove Windows components, and uncheck Internet Explorer.

Also, did you update to IE7? It might be able to figure out what's going on and stop it.
In response to DarkCampainger
DarkCampainger wrote:
Sounds like your computer is infected. You would be better off cleaning it instead of hiding the symptoms. Scan with anti-spyware and anti-virus. Also, since they pop-up without your action, you could try looking for the process that is spawning them in task manager. Easiest thing to do is go through and type all your processes into Google and see what comes up (Neuber.com gives pretty good info and should be near the top of the list).

A second place to check is startup programs in msconfig, but I wouldn't muck about in there unless you know what you're doing.

Since IE is integrated into Windows (hurrah Microsoft!), it cannot be fully disabled. You can *remove* it to some extent, though. Goto add/remove programs, add/remove Windows components, and uncheck Internet Explorer.

Also, did you update to IE7? It might be able to figure out what's going on and stop it.

Considering the endless times I've simply restarted my comp from scratch, I think I'm still on the version that comes with XP.

Thing is, this all started immediately after I cleaned out my computer of all viruses.

Edit: While it's scanning, I decided to check my Task menu, these are the suspicious files I found active, haven't checked location yet.

DISCUpdMgr.exe
cmd.exe
lsass.exe
services.exe << c:\windows\lsass directory
In response to Latoma
Latoma wrote:
DISCUpdMgr.exe

?

cmd.exe

MS-DOS Prompt. If you have none open you should double-check where this file is coming from. It should be in your system32 directory. If it's not, this may be your target.

lsass.exe

One of Windows' important files. Should be located in system32.

services.exe << c:\windows\lsass directory

This file is NOT present in %WINDIR%\lsass but instead in %WINDIR%\system32. You should check this file out immidiately. Try to close it; if Windows does an auto-shutdown it's legit, otherwise you've got your target. Ditto for lsass.exe

-- Data
In response to Android Data
Android Data wrote:
Latoma wrote:
DISCUpdMgr.exe

?

cmd.exe

MS-DOS Prompt. If you have none open you should double-check where this file is coming from. It should be in your system32 directory. If it's not, this may be your target.

lsass.exe

One of Windows' important files. Should be located in system32.

services.exe << c:\windows\lsass directory

This file is NOT present in %WINDIR%\lsass but instead in %WINDIR%\system32. You should check this file out immidiately. Try to close it; if Windows does an auto-shutdown it's legit, otherwise you've got your target. Ditto for lsass.exe

-- Data

Yeah I know that, hence why I am going to check it out to see if it's in the right spot.

However after completing my virus scan overnight, I found... nothing. There was no viruses.
Okay, on Top of this, now it seems I've confirmed my whole iexplorer is bugged or virused or something. Can someone please tell me based off this screenshot:

Photobucket
In response to Latoma
The simple and safe solution is to reinstall Windows.

Also, I noticed you were using Norton. I recommend not using it. If you just want to try for a second opinion there are lots of online scanners, but I recommend AVG for a good free download scanner. Also, try running Spybot S&D, it's also free and pretty good at catching spyware. It also has a auto-startup list editor that can flag processes as bad, unknown, or good, so it is much easier to tell them apart.
In response to Danial.Beta
Danial.Beta wrote:
The simple and safe solution is to reinstall Windows.

Also, I noticed you were using Norton. I recommend not using it. If you just want to try for a second opinion there are lots of online scanners, but I recommend AVG for a good free download scanner. Also, try running Spybot S&D, it's also free and pretty good at catching spyware. It also has a auto-startup list editor that can flag processes as bad, unknown, or good, so it is much easier to tell them apart.

Great, reinstall windows again. That would be the like 30th time in the last year :S (No joking).
In response to Latoma
Make sure you update it. You said you might still be using IE6 which means you aren't running the updates, which would make your computer VERY VERY insecure. I recommend reinstalling Windows, installing AVG(free) or NOD32(not free), SpyBot Search & Destroy, running all Windows update you can find, and then turning on Automatic updates(at least to tell you they are there, you don't have to have it download them).

This is the way I run my system and I have never had a virus or malware on it. I haven't had to fight a virus or malware on my machines in years. I practice safer surfing practices such as "Don't open attachments in emails from unknown sources. Avoid dark places. Pay attention. Use Firefox." As long as Windows is update, safer surfing practices are all you really need to protect you.
In response to Latoma
Latoma wrote:
Great, reinstall windows again. That would be the like 30th time in the last year :S (No joking).

This is one of those cases where you have to stop and ask, "I've already tried this 30 times and things always go badly: can I expect that trying again will work?"

Perhaps it's time to try something other than Windows?
In response to Latoma
Latoma wrote:
Great, reinstall windows again. That would be the like 30th time in the last year :S (No joking).

Just like with any operating system (whether it be Ubuntu that PirateHead suggested, Mac OS X or Windows XP or Windows Vista), it is paramount that you keep it updated with the newest updates. This means installing Windows Updates, when and if they appear.
In response to Danial.Beta
Danial.Beta wrote:
Make sure you update it. You said you might still be using IE6 which means you aren't running the updates, which would make your computer VERY VERY insecure. I recommend reinstalling Windows, installing AVG(free) or NOD32(not free), SpyBot Search & Destroy, running all Windows update you can find, and then turning on Automatic updates(at least to tell you they are there, you don't have to have it download them).

This is the way I run my system and I have never had a virus or malware on it. I haven't had to fight a virus or malware on my machines in years. I practice safer surfing practices such as "Don't open attachments in emails from unknown sources. Avoid dark places. Pay attention. Use Firefox." As long as Windows is update, safer surfing practices are all you really need to protect you.

When I went to 'uninstall' (which I didn't finish) it was IE7. So yeah. I downloaded ACG, and will go for Spybot soon.

I however for the life of me could never find the Windows Updates functions.
In response to Latoma