Member Avatar for HappyGecko

Hi there I’m very computer illiterate and need help please. I keep getting Spyware pop up ads to buy Spyware protection. I also noticed my homepage has been changed to about:blank and I can not change it back and that I now have search assistant and I can’t uninstall. I tried scanning with Spyware Doctor and got these two messages.

An exception in Check Tasks: External exception C0000006

An exception in Check Tasks: List index out of bounds (7)

:sad: This Gecko is not happy for the moment

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Dani AI

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For : the combo of fake "buy this spyware protection" popups, a homepage locked to about:blank, and an unremovable Search Assistant points to two things working together — rogue "scareware" that tries to trick you into buying software, and a browser hijack/helper that prevents normal changes. Do not follow or pay any popup links; they are the problem, not the solution.

Immediate, safe triage: disconnect the PC from the network (unplug Ethernet or disable Wi‑Fi) so nothing new can be downloaded. Back up important personal files to external media before doing anything else. Boot into Safe Mode and run up‑to‑date on‑demand scanners (for example Malwarebytes and Spybot or another reputable scanner) so they can remove active components. If Spyware Doctor is throwing exceptions, try running it from Safe Mode or reinstalling it so it can finish a clean scan — those errors often mean a malicious hook or conflict is blocking the scanner.

Follow 's suggestion to create and post a HijackThis log — that is the single most useful thing helpers here will need. When you post the log, also say which Windows version and browser you have, list any recently installed programs, and copy any Spyware Doctor error text. Do not click HijackThis "fix" buttons unless someone experienced directs you; incorrect fixes can break the browser or system.

Other useful actions: try System Restore to a point before the symptoms appeared, check the hosts file for unexpected entries, and inspect running services (message‑style popups sometimes come from an unwanted service; mentioned this). If the infection is deep or data is critical, back up and consider a clean reinstall. Post the HijackThis log and a short description of what you've already tried and helpers here will walk through targeted removal steps.

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Member Avatar for OurNation

Get Hijack This there is a download link in my sig and once it is downloaded close all other running apps and scan and save a log and post that log here.

Member Avatar for ceomoses

For the About:Blank Search Assistant thing, follow this link to the tutorial:

http://www.besttechie.net/forums/index.php?showtopic=1488

It worked for me, hopefully, it will for you too.

As for the popups advertising spyware removers for those popups, that sounds like Messenger service spam. To disable Messenger Service Spam, click Start -> Run. In the box, type in "services.msc". A window will come up with a bunch of stuff listed in it. Go down to where it says "Messenger" and double-click on it. Click on the "STOP" button, then where it says "Startup type:" click the dropdown box and choose either Manual or Disabled. Then X out of all that and you should be done.

You should also do what OurNation says, he's pretty good at doing the HijackThis stuff.

I hope I've helped!

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