Accidentally downloaded a probably malicious active x control called outlook.exe. How do I remove it?

[nooday]

I was tricked into going to a site with just an IP address and was
told in order to view a card from a long lost friend, I had to
download active x control outlook.exe. I was then prompted to
download
something possibly like Microsoft Active Database Access, and then I
realized it was probably giving someone access to my computer or
somethng malicious so I did not.
I am concerned this active x control (outlook.exe) is doing something
malicious on my outlook express program like maybe sending tons of
spam or maybe giving a hacker access to my computer.
Before I did this, I was on a friend's computer checking my web email
when I got this card telling me to go to this site. I think, but am
not sure, he started having some strange sending problems with his
Outlook (he has Outlook, not OE) around this time.
Did I download a problem on my machine or his?
Any way to fix this other than re-install Windows XP - ugh!
Looked in MSIE at the active x controls and outlook.exe not listed.
Had hoped to disable it if it was there.

I am not positive this is when my friend started having trouble with
his Outlook, but it might be around the same time I downloaded that
active x control called outlook.exe. Hard to remember. I only thought
of it again because he mentioned some of the difficulties he has had
sending (but not receiving) the other day to me in that these
problems
have gone on periodically for possibly up to 6 weeks.

[Beauregard T. Shagnasty]

nooday wrote:

> I was tricked into going to a site with just an IP address

Uh... it's called 'social engineering' and it works.

> Before I did this, I was on a friend's computer checking my web email
> when I got this card telling me to go to this site. I think, but am
> not sure, he started having some strange sending problems with his
> Outlook (he has Outlook, not OE) around this time.

You did this to your *friend* ??? Oh. My.

> Did I download a problem on my machine or his?

Where were you sitting when you clicked on the "greeting card" link?

> Any way to fix this other than re-install Windows XP - ugh! Looked in
> MSIE at the active x controls and outlook.exe not listed. Had hoped
> to disable it if it was there.

Since your friend's computer is now owned by hackers, and you don't know
what else has been done to it, flattening the drive might be best, since
neither of you seem very astute in these matters.

You could try anti- software such as SuperAntiSpyware and a rootkit
revealer first, if you think you/he would understand them.

> I am not positive this is when my friend started having trouble with
> his Outlook, but it might be around the same time I downloaded that
> active x control called outlook.exe. Hard to remember.

...but not hard to see now, right?

> I only thought of it again because he mentioned some of the
> difficulties he has had sending (but not receiving) the other day to
> me in that these problems have gone on periodically for possibly up
> to 6 weeks.

Quite likely his computer has been spewing spam for 6 weeks...

--
-bts
-Motorcycles defy gravity; cars just suck

[nooday]

On Oct 9, 8:28 am, "Beauregard T. Shagnasty"
<a.nony.m...@example.invalid> wrote:
> nooday wrote:
> > I was tricked into going to a site with just an IP address
>
> Uh... it's called 'social engineering' and it works.
>
> > Before I did this, I was on a friend's computer checking my web email
> > when I got this card telling me to go to this site. I think, but am
> > not sure, he started having some strange sending problems with his
> >Outlook(he hasOutlook, not OE) around this time.
>
> You did this to your *friend* ??? Oh. My.
>
> > Did I download a problem on my machine or his?
>
> Where were you sitting when you clicked on the "greeting card" link?
>
> > Any way to fix this other than re-install Windows XP - ugh! Looked in
> > MSIE at theactivexcontrols andoutlook.exe not listed. Had hoped
> > to disable it if it was there.
>
> Since your friend's computer is now owned by hackers, and you don't know
> what else has been done to it, flattening the drive might be best, since
> neither of you seem very astute in these matters.
>
> You could try anti- software such as SuperAntiSpyware and a rootkit
> revealer first, if you think you/he would understand them.
>
> > I am not positive this is when my friend started having trouble with
> > hisOutlook, but it might be around the same time I downloaded that
> >activexcontrol calledoutlook.exe. Hard to remember.
>
> ..but not hard to see now, right?
>
> > I only thought of it again because he mentioned some of the
> > difficulties he has had sending (but not receiving) the other day to
> > me in that these problems have gone on periodically for possibly up
> > to 6 weeks.
>
> Quite likely his computer has been spewing spam for 6 weeks...
>
> --
> -bts
> -Motorcycles defy gravity; cars just suck


You could be less sarcastic. Yes it was VERY stupid of me.
I was looking for help, not castigation. But your point is taken.

I will download the recommended program if you really think it might
help:
www.superantispyware.com

Also, do you have a suggestion as to what rootkit revealer to use?

I am not a novice on the computer and can handle some advanced things,
but was sadly fooled by this social chicanery. Yes, I was moronic.

[Beauregard T. Shagnasty]

nooday wrote:

> "Beauregard T. Shagnasty" wrote:
>> nooday wrote:
>>> I was tricked into going to a site with just an IP address
>>
>> Uh... it's called 'social engineering' and it works.
>> <schnipp>
>
> You could be less sarcastic. Yes it was VERY stupid of me. I was
> looking for help, not castigation. But your point is taken.

I feel my post was more 'succinct' than 'sarcastic', don't you?

> I will download the recommended program if you really think it might
> help: www.superantispyware.com

It certainly can't hurt. It is a well-recommended application. There are
others.
A-Squared: http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
Spybot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

> Also, do you have a suggestion as to what rootkit revealer to use?

http://filehippo.com/download_rootkit_revealer/

Even the Mighty Gates has information on it:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...tRevealer.mspx

> I am not a novice on the computer and can handle some advanced
> things, but was sadly fooled by this social chicanery. Yes, I was
> moronic.

These links may help as well:
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/uiuc/main-nf.htm
http://outside.arc.ab.ca/staff/erkamp/security.jpg
and stay away from these:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

--
-bts
-Motorcycles defy gravity; cars just suck