about:blank

f3lix

I've recently noticed when I open my browser (Firefox) before it goes to my homepage (Google) about:blank appears in the address bar.
Also when I click on links about:blank appears.

I've done a quick search and found that about:blank is some sort of adware and it is definitely slowing my PC down.

Any advice on the best way to remove it.

I'm using windows XP Home edition and have
Zone Alarm firewall
AVG anti-virus
and regularly run spyware blaster, CCleaner, Ad-Aware and spybot.

ormus

hijackthis may find it.

also try windows cleanup 4.0

mar<

Funny - that's the default 'Blank' page that IE sets - did you import your favourites from IE recently by any chance?

f3lix

ormus wrote:

hijackthis may find it.

also try windows cleanup 4.0

Will give them a go.

mar< wrote:

Funny - that's the default 'Blank' page that IE sets - did you import your favourites from IE recently by any chance?

I do use IE as well, but have not imported favourites.

sean_rudenko

f3lix


Had this problem start of last year, tried various anti virus/adware programs, which said they could get rid of it but none of them worked. I then found the following instructions on the net. It means editing the registry. Followed the instructions myself and it worked.


Download a program called Adware Away(should come with 5day free trial).
When you run it, click the X on the registration screen and the program will start. Click on specialized removers, choose the second option and click next. Click on details. This will give you the location in the registry and where the file is located.

Look for a file that has the word process in front of it (an example is windows/system/32/dc.exe and then the file name). Bring up the task manager and go to processes, then find dc.exe and click end process (dc.exe is an example, the file name can be anything). After you end it, delete the file listed in the registrey. As soon as you do this, reset your homepage.


You may find that there is more than 1 file to get rid of.


Sean

Reluctant_spender

Follow the first 4 posts of this post - http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

If this does not sort it out you will have given your computer a good healthcheck.

Blackjack_Davy

About:blank is a spyware hijacker. It pops up on here every now and then. Run a search on this forum for previous threads and solutions. It can be a pain to remove. I've never heard of it infecting Firefox before.

LewisC_2

about:blank is definitely not always malware. It's more often than not a legitimate naming protocol for a blank page in a browser window. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/About:#Common_about:_addresses for more info.

ormus

true, but it nearly always is, if it appears by itself from nowhere.

mar<

Here's a page that might help: http://www.pchell.com/support/aboutblank.shtml

saying the same as Sean above