icon changing worm/virus/spyware/glitch? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Sion · 05-15-2004, 02:47 PM

lately something has been messing with the icons on my machine. not all of them, mind you, just those that are text or document related (.txt, .doc, .chm, etc.). when it happens, they get changed to other icons that are on the system. for example, the .txt icon might become a Kazaa icon, while .doc might become an mIRC icon. each time it happens, the icons to which they get switched are different. now, a reboot restores them to normal, but sooner or later, they seem to get mixed up again. I've updated and run my spyware apps (AdAware, Spybot S&D, Spysweeper) and come up empty. Ditto with my a/v program (AVG).

The only clue I have is that it SEEMS to occur when Im browsing or d/ling from Usenet groups. However, since I am a bit of a Usenet junkie and have my newsreader in use almost constantly, I can not say for sure if there is any real correlation there or if its just coincidence.

Also, I havent ever managed to catch the change immediately upon its occurence. I will discover the problem only after minimizing the reader app and notice that the 1/2 dozen or so text icons on my desktop have been changed.

any of you ever run into anything like this? Ive search this forum as well as Google and havent found anything that might help me figure it out.

pertinent info:

os: win98se
newsreader: Xnews

MahlerIsGod · 05-15-2004, 03:11 PM

I don't know if this helps or not, but since I have been using Pest Patrol it has been finding things Adaware and Spybot never find. Its not free but it does a vastly better job in blocking, finding and deleting spyware. Something to consider especially with so much Usenet activity (are you running with a firewall? You didn't mention it but if you are not, you really, really, really, really should be.) Sorry, I couldn't be more help.

spectre · 05-15-2004, 05:37 PM

I'm not sure if this will work, but just for the hell of it, try Tweak UI. I'm using XP, but it should be similar in the 98 version. Go to Repair, select Rebuild Icons, and click Repair Now.

heyal256 · 05-15-2004, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by spectre
I'm not sure if this will work, but just for the hell of it, try Tweak UI. I'm using XP, but it should be similar in the 98 version. Go to Repair, select Rebuild Icons, and click Repair Now.

I'll second this advice.

I have seen the system icons get confused for no real reason and rebuilding the icons, solved this problem.

Sion · 05-15-2004, 08:48 PM

yes, I am behind a firewall (I may be dumb, but I aint stupid!). anyway, as I said, a reboot always fixes the problem, so I cant see the need (yet, anyway) for the Tweak repair. and its not really a problem, just an annoyance. mostly though, I want to be sure what is causing it, as I am VERY protective of my system security/privacy. if this is the result of some malicious script or code, I want to know about it.

thanks

spectre · 05-16-2004, 01:41 PM

The "tweak repair" is nothing really serious. The program Tweak UI is from the Microsoft website (although they don't officially support it). It won't do any harm to run it and do the repair. Worst case scenario, you'll have wasted 10 - 20 minutes downloading, installing, and running the program. Here's a link to download it from Microsoft's website: http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstati.../NTTweakUI.asp

Sion · 05-30-2004, 09:40 AM

update: I did finally download, install and run Tweak UI and it seems to have done the trick. Havent had any trouble with icons in over a week.

thanks for the suggestion.

05-15-2004, 02:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	icon changing worm/virus/spyware/glitch? lately something has been messing with the icons on my machine. not all of them, mind you, just those that are text or document related (.txt, .doc, .chm, etc.). when it happens, they get changed to other icons that are on the system. for example, the .txt icon might become a Kazaa icon, while .doc might become an mIRC icon. each time it happens, the icons to which they get switched are different. now, a reboot restores them to normal, but sooner or later, they seem to get mixed up again. I've updated and run my spyware apps (AdAware, Spybot S&D, Spysweeper) and come up empty. Ditto with my a/v program (AVG). The only clue I have is that it SEEMS to occur when Im browsing or d/ling from Usenet groups. However, since I am a bit of a Usenet junkie and have my newsreader in use almost constantly, I can not say for sure if there is any real correlation there or if its just coincidence. Also, I havent ever managed to catch the change immediately upon its occurence. I will discover the problem only after minimizing the reader app and notice that the 1/2 dozen or so text icons on my desktop have been changed. any of you ever run into anything like this? Ive search this forum as well as Google and havent found anything that might help me figure it out. pertinent info: os: win98se newsreader: Xnews __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

05-15-2004, 03:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
MahlerIsGod At The Globe Showing Will How Its Done Location: London/Elysium	I don't know if this helps or not, but since I have been using Pest Patrol it has been finding things Adaware and Spybot never find. Its not free but it does a vastly better job in blocking, finding and deleting spyware. Something to consider especially with so much Usenet activity (are you running with a firewall? You didn't mention it but if you are not, you really, really, really, really should be.) Sorry, I couldn't be more help. __________________ "But a work of art is a conscious human effort that has to do with communication. It is that or its nothing. When an accident is applauded as a work of art, when a cult grows up around the deliciousness of inadvertent beauty, we are in the presence of the greatest decadence the West has known in its history."

05-15-2004, 05:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
spectre Junkie	I'm not sure if this will work, but just for the hell of it, try Tweak UI. I'm using XP, but it should be similar in the 98 version. Go to Repair, select Rebuild Icons, and click Repair Now. __________________ "Fuck these chains No goddamn slave I will be different" ~ Machine Head

05-15-2004, 08:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	yes, I am behind a firewall (I may be dumb, but I aint stupid!). anyway, as I said, a reboot always fixes the problem, so I cant see the need (yet, anyway) for the Tweak repair. and its not really a problem, just an annoyance. mostly though, I want to be sure what is causing it, as I am VERY protective of my system security/privacy. if this is the result of some malicious script or code, I want to know about it. thanks __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...

05-16-2004, 01:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
spectre Junkie	The "tweak repair" is nothing really serious. The program Tweak UI is from the Microsoft website (although they don't officially support it). It won't do any harm to run it and do the repair. Worst case scenario, you'll have wasted 10 - 20 minutes downloading, installing, and running the program. Here's a link to download it from Microsoft's website: http://www.microsoft.com/ntworkstati.../NTTweakUI.asp __________________ "Fuck these chains No goddamn slave I will be different" ~ Machine Head

05-30-2004, 09:40 AM	#7 (permalink)
Sion Dumb all over...a little ugly on the side Location: In the room where the giant fire puffer works, and the torture never stops.	update: I did finally download, install and run Tweak UI and it seems to have done the trick. Havent had any trouble with icons in over a week. thanks for the suggestion. __________________ He's the best, of course, of all the worst. Some wrong been done, he done it first. -fz I jus' want ta thank you...falettinme...be mice elf...agin...