Viruses

[Angel41]

When I turn my pc on the internet opens unrequested to a page called scootch...which I believe could be a premium rate hijack virus. I would be grateful if anybody knows how I can get rid of this.  Thanks

[Kerplunk]

Run spyware removal such as adaware or spybot - search and destroy.  Then check your dialup settings within internet explorer to ensure they are what they should be (i.e. not a premium rate number)

[romko]

that is good advice from kerplunk. download and update then run those 2 freeware programs.

Also, spyware guard is what i use which gives me an alert if the browser start page is being altered by others.

[Angel41]

Kerplunk and romko  thanks for your answers but ive already run both of these programmes and its made no difference so if anybody else has any other ideas I'd be grateful

[Dagman]

Try a prog called SpySweeper from Webroot. They used to have a free download on their site.I use it and it got rid of a hijacker for me and it protects your homepage afterwards from others.

[Bernardw]

Run System restore to create a system restore point before you begin.

Then try to run a search on "scootch" and delete all files (leave in your recycle bin for a while to see if everything else runs ok afterwards).

Then go to start, run, type "regedit" then do another search for scootch.

Remove all registry entries that it finds. Close the registry.

Go to control panel, internet options, general tab, reset your homepage to about blank.

Close everything down then reboot.

Good luck.

[Bernardw]

As you have already tried spyware and antivirus programmes try the following.

Run System restore to create a system restore point before you begin.

Then try to run a search on "scootch" and delete all files (leave in your recycle bin for a while to see if everything else runs ok afterwards).

Then go to start, run, type "regedit" then do another search for scootch.

Remove all registry entries that it finds. Close the registry.

Go to control panel, internet options, general tab, reset your homepage to about blank.

Close everything down then reboot.

Good luck.