Unable to download anything

[rc]

also, is there anything else I should do?  Should I delete Junk Removal?  Security Check?  ADW Cleaner?  I'm assuming I can get rid of the logs?
Thanks!

[Corrine]

Hi, Rita. 

No, you do not need the AdwAware Web Companion.  We'll take care of the logs and other files shortly.  First, however, let's address the other issues.  There is a lot of information, so please go step-by-step.

1.  Is Internet Explorer working properly now?

2.  Oracle Java:  SecurityCheck shows "Java 64-bit 8 Update 31" on the computer.  According to the other logs, it is a 32-bit computer.  Since I do not see any games or other programs installed on the computer that appear to require Java, it probably isn't even needed.  I haven't used Java on my computer in years.  My recommendation:

-- Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features and uninstall Java.
-- Have your husband use the computer without Java installed.  If a program or website he uses regularly prompts for Java, it can be reinstalled.  However, please refer to the information I have provided in Java, The Never-Ending Saga for instructions on how to suppress the offers for the pre-checked unwanted extras as well as disabling Java in browsers when it isn't needed.

3.  Adobe Reader 10.1.12:  Adobe Reader is out of date and has had critical security updates.  Personally, I replaced Adobe Reader with Sumatra PDF.  It does not have the vulnerabilities that seem to hit Adobe Reader.  If you wish to uninstall Adobe Reader and replace it with Sumatra PDF, it is available at http://blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf/download-free-pdf-viewer.html.  Otherwise, it is necessary to update Adobe Reader.  Adobe Reader XI (11.0.10) for Windows is available here: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=10&platform=Windows.

Note: UNcheck any pre-checked additional options presented with the update. They are not part of the software update and are completely optional. 

4.  Mozilla Firefox 18.0:  Firefox is critically out of date.  Mozilla switched to a "rapid release" schedule some time ago, with updates scheduled every six weeks and bug fixes and additional security updates often released within that schedule.  The current version of Firefox is 35.0.1.  To get the update now, select "Help" from the Firefox menu at the upper left of the browser window, then pick "About Firefox."

In the event your husband does not like the new format of Firefox, there is an alternative, Pale Moon.  Pale Moon is not Firefox under another name, it is different.  The developer of Pale Moon does not incorporate changes merely for the sake of change.  In addition, not every feature included in Firefox applies to Pale Moon and is not included.  There are also Pale Moon specific tweaks.  Pale Moon is available from here (direct download link:  http://relmirror.palemoon.org/release/palemoon-25.2.1.win32.installer.exe).

5.  More:  Regardless of whether Java is uninstalled, Adobe Reader is replaced with Sumatra PDF or Firefox with Pale Moon, based on the magnitude of adware that was on the computer, I strongly suggest some additional changes. 

• Going back to the issue of locating the Microsoft download link for Microsoft Security Essentials, it is apparent that whatever search engine is being used, advertisements are being disguised as legitimate download locations.  For that reason, I recommend installing Adblock Plus on each browser.  (You may want to install it on your computer as well.).  There are different versions for each browser.
  
  • Internet Explorer:  https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer
    
  • Firefox:  https://adblockplus.org/en/firefox
    
  • Google Chrome:  https://adblockplus.org/en/chrome
    
  • Pale Moon:  https://addons.palemoon.org/extensions/privacy-and-security/adblock-latitude/
• Although I recommend only installing software from the vendor website, considering the volume of "unwanted extras", I suggest installing Unchecky.  It may not catch each and every pre-checked addition, but would be helpful.  Although How to Avoid Junkware Offers with Unchecky is from last year, it has good information about Unchecky.

6.  If, and only if, the computer is now working properly: Please do the following to take care of removing the tools used:

Please download Delfix from here.

Ensure the following boxes are checked:

• Remove disinfection tools
  
• Create registry backup
  
• Purge system restore
  
  
• Click Run
  

The program will run for a few moments and then notepad will open with a log.   Please paste the log in your next reply.

[rc]

wow - lots of information!!!  thank you!
I believe the only issue with Internet Explorer was that is wouldn't download - do I tell if it's working properly by using it when it comes time to download something?

[Corrine]

Let's find out if Internet Explorer is working.  Launch IE and go to https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer to install Adblock Plus.  Let me know if you are successful.

When you report all is well, I'm going to move this thread to the Analysis and Malware Removal forum.

[rc]

I got the message that adbockplusie-1.3.exe couldn't be downloaded.

[Corrine]

Seeing as how changes have been made since you told me about the download problem via PM, first try following these steps (with one addition) to enable download in Internet Explorer:

1. Under Internet explorer select Tools and then Internet options.
2. Under Security select Internet and click Custom Level.
3. Under Downloads look for File Download and select Enable and click OK.
4. Next, click the Advanced tab and scroll down to the Security section.  If there is a check mark next to "Do not save encrypted pages to disk", remove it and then click OK. 
5. Restart Internet Explorer and try Adblock Plus again:  https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer

If that doesn't work, let's clear temp files.  Download TFC to your desktop

• Open the file and close any other windows.
  
• It will close all programs itself when run, make sure to let it run uninterrupted.
  
• Click the Start button to begin the process. The program should not take long to finish its job
  
• Once its finished it should reboot your machine, if not, do this yourself to ensure a complete clean

Once again, restart Internet Explorer and try Adblock Plus again:  https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer

If you still cannot download the file, run Internet Explorer in No Add-on mode and check if the issue persists. To run in No Add-on mode follow the steps below:
a) Click Start, and then type Internet Explorer in the Start Search box.
b) Click Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons). Internet Explorer opens without add-ons, toolbars, or plug-ins.
c) Test Internet Explorer to verify that it works correctly.

If the issue is not present in No Add-ons mode, check which particular Add-on is interfering referring to the links provided.  Additional information is available here:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/internet-explorer-add-ons-frequently-asked-questions

Please me know the results.

[rc]

"Corrine,
I'm back on my other computer now - there were no checkmarks in those areas, but I went through the process.  Still wouldn't download, so I used Mozilla and downloaded TFC.  It's been going about ten minutes now, and the logo in the upper right hand corner is flashing, but other than that everything appears to be frozen.  cannot close or exit -

[rc]

it has some results listed, so it seems as though it was finished, but that logo box just keeps flashing and it seems frozen

[rc]

I know I'm not supposed to interrupt it, but the results aren't changing, and it's just flashing, and you said it wouldn't take long.  I'm wondering if I should alt cntrl del and end process.

[rc]

never mind - I'm sorry about all the posts - it was working after all.  my apology

[rc]

OK - back on track.  I ran Internet Explorer in no add on mode, and it still will not download.

[Corrine]

Since it took a while to run, I have the feeling there were a lot of temp files to be removed.  So, that was a good exercise anyway.

At this point, there are still a few things left that I can think of to try before resorting to uninstall/reinstall of IE11 (and all of the security updates). 

1.  Check the Pop-up Blocker settings. 

• Launch IE and click Tools > Pop-up Blocker > Pop-up Blocker Settings.
  
• If the Blocking level setting is set to "High", change it to "Medium".
  
• Click Close.
  
• See if you can download Adblock Plus from https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer.
  
• If unsuccessful, repeat the above but this time change the Blocking level to "Low".
  

2.  Please start Internet Explorer and do the following:

• Click on the Tools menu. 
  
• Select Internet Options.
  
• Click on the Connections tab.
  
• Click on the LAN Settings button so you are on the Local Area Network (LAN) settings screen.
  
• Under the Proxy Server section, make sure that the checkbox labeled "Use a proxy server for your LAN" is UNCHECKED.
  
• Press OK button to close this screen.
  
• Press the OK button to close the Internet Options screen.
  

3.  If that doesn't enable you to download Adblock Plus from https://adblockplus.org/en/internet-explorer, try resetting Internet Explorer settings.  Instructions are here:  Reset Internet Explorer settings.

4.  Last resort:  Uninstall and Reinstall Internet Explorer 11.

• Download IE 11 from here:  http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/internet-explorer/ie-11-worldwide-languages
  
• Scroll down to English and select Windows 7 SP1 32-Bit
  
• After the download is complete, go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Programs and Features and under Microsoft Windows
  
• Right-click Internet Explorer, and then click Uninstall.  Click Yes to uninstall.
  
• Click Restart now to finish uninstalling.
  
• After restarting, install the new copy of IE 11 you downloaded earlier.
  
• Go to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Windows Update and check for updates.
  

[rc]

did 1,2 and 3 and nothing worked.  so I started on 4, and I get the message that it can't be downloaded because a newer version of Internet Explorer is on the computer.  I clicked on About IE and it says 11.0.9600.17501IC   update version 11.0.15

[Corrine]

Hi, Rita.

I know this may sound strange, but, just to be sure, did you go to the IE11 download link with Firefox or IE?

[Corrine]

After consulting with Winchester73, who located references to the need to turn Windows Features On/Off before attempting to uninstall/reinstall.  Contrary to the information I found at the Microsoft website, in the example below, it is recommended to uninstall IE first before attempting to download the latest version.  Please refer to the following article which shows how to turn Windows Features On/Off:  https://askleo.com/how-do-i-reinstall-internet-explorer/

Information for the version of IE 11 you need is in my earlier reply.