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Can't access websites by name, OK by IP address.

  • 02-09-2010 9:21pm
    #1
    MOH
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭


    PC popped up this morning with one of those fake malware warnings (Antimalware Doctor). Also Microsoft Security Essentials started reporting some suspicious files.

    Let MSSE clear the suspicious stuff, ran a full scan, cleared a few bits and pieces, rebooted. Antimalware Doctor popped up again. Tried to download MBAM, but discovered I couldn't access any websites.

    Downloaded MBAM on the laptop, copied it across, ran it, but it couldn't update, so it's still using definitions from a few months ago. Still, ran a full scan with that, removed Antimalware Doctor and some more junk, and rebooted when prompted. Antimalware Doctor popped up again, and running a new MBAM scan failed to find it.

    I've since discovered that I can browse websites by ip address, but can't resolve hostnames. It's not a browser specific issue, it happens with command line pings too. Nslookup reports 'no response from server' for everything.

    At the moment I've got SpybotS&D running to see if that picks anything up, but it's an 18-month old version, cos again it can't update itself - I presume it's trying by website name, and thus failing.

    If I can work out what's preventing the website names from resolving, should be able to sort out the rest of it. But it's late, I'm tired, and can't remember what I should be lookng at. Any suggestions?


Comments

  • #2
    bhickey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,340 ✭✭✭bhickey


    Can you check your DNS server settings in your network properties to make sure they're not manually set as opposed to receiving them via DHCP? Once DNS has been hijacked then it can be very difficult to get any sort of updates. Once you've checked the DNS settings then you might try updating Malwarebytes in safe mode.


  • #3
    MOH
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,465 ✭✭✭MOH


    bhickey wrote: »
    Can you check your DNS server settings in your network properties to make sure they're not manually set as opposed to receiving them via DHCP? Once DNS has been hijacked then it can be very difficult to get any sort of updates. Once you've checked the DNS settings then you might try updating Malwarebytes in safe mode.

    Hmm, no it's set to manual, and the entries are blank. And the automatic option is disabled.

    (Sorry, possibly relevant info: I'm on Windows XP SP2)

    edit: Brilliant! Pulled the name server info off the router and stuck that in, and it's resolving names now. Thanks a million!
    Hopefully I can get rid of the rest of the junk now.


  • #4
    bhickey
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,340 ✭✭✭bhickey


    MOH wrote: »
    Hmm, no it's set to manual, and the entries are blank. And the automatic option is disabled.

    (Sorry, possibly relevant info: I'm on Windows XP SP2)

    Odd that the auto DNS server settings are disabled - is your IP address set statically?

    Be sure to check all your Windows updates too 'cause I'd have thought you should be on SP3 by now.


  • #5
    hearny
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 953 ✭✭✭hearny


    Here is a handy little program for clearing registry settings etc. left over by malware for Windows XP.
    Make sure you know your network connections before running this as you may have to set them up again.
    If you are using wireless you will need your security key on hand.

    http://www.snapfiles.com/get/winsockxpfix.html


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