SpywareBlaster 37 unprotected items in IE can't enable protection (activx)

Lena · February 10, 2006, 02:08:36 PM

Using the latest ver. of SypwareBlaster (3.5.01), updated, in my laptop, WinXP SP2, also use Ad-Aware SE, Spybot S&D, Avast!, Zone Alarm.

SpywareBlaster indicates 37 items in IE have protection disabled. Even after going to block list and checking all disabled items and clicking on enable all checked items, items show up unchecked. Nothing in the ignore list. These items are all activx stuff.

Scans with Ad-Aware and Spybot S&D come up clean. Avast! finds no virus infection.

What do I do now?

(We only use IE for Windows updates, and use FF and Opera for browsing. Not concerned, but would like to get the problem fixed.)

Thanks for any help.

Lena

Ripley · February 10, 2006, 02:30:37 PM

Hi Lena :)

Don't know if this helps, but did you see this thread from not too long ago?

http://www.landzdown.com/index.php?topic=4875.0

ripley

Lena · February 10, 2006, 02:45:31 PM

Fixed. :D

Frustrated. :x

Any software programmers out there :Win73:

One of my pet peeves rears its ugly head again :gah:

WHY COULDN'T SPYWAREBLASTER WRITE IN THEIR PROGRAM AN ALERT THAT ONE HAS TO BE A COMPUTER ADMINISTRATOR TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE PROTECTED ITEMS LIST?*Spammer*?

Changed the better half's account from limited to admin, restarted computer, and could enable all protections in SypwareBlaster.

Sorry for the false alarm. Learned something new today.

Lena

winchester73 · February 10, 2006, 03:14:48 PM

XP changed the way people can share computers.

There are two types of Windows XP user accounts. Administrators can change all computer settings (eg: install software, create new user accounts, etc). Limited users can only modify the passwords for their own user accounts.

This may help explain the different user accounts:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/share/intro.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/usercpl_overview.mspx

Ripley · February 11, 2006, 12:44:12 AM

Lena :)

Glad to hear you've solved your mystery.

Quote from: Lena on February 10, 2006, 02:45:31 PM
Fixed. :D

Frustrated. :x

WHY COULDN'T SPYWAREBLASTER WRITE IN THEIR PROGRAM AN ALERT THAT ONE HAS TO BE A COMPUTER ADMINISTRATOR TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE PROTECTED ITEMS LIST?*Spammer*?

Changed the better half's account from limited to admin, restarted computer, and could enable all protections in SypwareBlaster.
Sorry for the false alarm. Learned something new today.
Lena

We've been having some discussion here on how security programs work differently between accounts that have adminstrator vs. limited rights in the thread right under yours. Now we can add this piece of the puzzle to those who've been exploring this issue and have SpywareBlaster.
This pet peeve, sounds like you've encountered this issue before...? :tease:

I like the idea of software programers adding a note about having Admin rights to perform certain of their program functions. If security programs need to remove files (baddies) and make changes to keep us safe, it would stand to reason that they would need Admin rights to do this. And yet who would have thunk you wouldn't be able to enable all protections from the profile that you are currently in?

On the other side, when I read some software manuals or program documentation and I see "You need to have admin rights to..." I say...well, duh! So I guess you are darned if you do and darned if you don't. :twisted:

mitch · February 11, 2006, 02:25:42 AM

you can easly run and update spywareblaster from user account !
that is how i do it
i just right click the shortcut icon and select "run as " and use a admin account

and that will work with most programs ! the key word is MOST ( not all)

so if i have a problem on a new program i will just right click and they work

jsky · February 11, 2006, 04:58:09 AM

Don't know how many people have tried Netscape. But their newest build 8.1 has a new Security Center that has an extensive scan built into the Adware part of the center.

The other day I was playing around with IE7 Beta, and came across a questionable site. As soon as I hit the site, something started to install itself. Tried 3 times to stop it before I thought I got it.

Since I was testing IE7 Beta out. I then tried the same site with Firefox. Same thing started to happen. All of a sudden something started to download itself to my PC. Well since I have been playing with the newer browsers. I brought up Netscape 8.1 and once more hit said site. This time Netscape's new Security Center caught and stopped the download and asked what I wanted to do. So I am highly impressed with Netscape 8.1 new Security.

So now to find the downloaded culprit. I used all my favorites. Adaware, Spybot, Ewendo, a2 (or a squared), Bazooka, M$ Antispyware and Avast. Everything came up clean.
I figured it should. I ran scans the night before and everything came up clean. I also used the Spyware-adware scan from Netscape earlier.

So I thought why not try it for this scan. Lo and behold, this time it found an installed keylogger.

So as I said. I am highly impressed with Netscape 8.1. Now I'm not telling everyone to get and use it. But I now do recommend at least the use of it's Ad-Spyware scanner. And when I go snooping around the "other side of the tracks". I will use Netscape because it security. I figured IE would have problems, but Firefox kinda let me down for security.

BUT don't get me wrong.......I'm using Firefox right now. It's still my favorite browser. But for snooping around "The Dark Side", I'll use Netscape.

JOSEPH · February 11, 2006, 03:00:42 PM

Hello Lena

Glad also you got that figured out, many these type software programs do indeed bring to a user's attention a special note that you must have ADMIN"S privilege for them to work as expected, some i suppose don't.
XP user (guest) accounts are limited by design to prevent changing or adding new settings. You might say it was designed strictly to help with networking in mind, like library, schools, businesses etc.

Quotejsky
I used all my favorites. Adaware, Spybot, Ewendo, a2 (or a squared), Bazooka, M$ Antispyware and Avast. Everything came up clean.

I use those same programs with the exception of MS Anti-Spy (always seemed lame to me, ignore 98/Me? (not good))

Haven't tried NetScape but from what you mention looks like it deserves some attention, thanks.