Can't go anywhere with Internet Explorer 6.0

[HomeAppraiser]

So my wife has IE 6.0, Win XP home SP2 on her AMD 3000XP PC and some adeware hijacked her IE. Netscape and Firefox work fine. Today I bought her Norton Internet Security 2006, which needs IE to run live update. Problem is IE keeps saying page can't be found to everything. Help!

 

[MrChad]

Have you followed the steps in the stickied security thread?

 

[Looney]

Um, as soon as you installed NIS, IE says it can't find pages now. Obviously NIS is blocking IE.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Originally posted by: Looney
Um, as soon as you installed NIS, IE says it can't find pages now. Obviously NIS is blocking IE.

No, first we had a hijacked search page on IE so we installed NIS 2006 which did nothing. Then we started following the 14 steps on the stickied security thread which removed close to 50 adware programs. We didn't remove two things labeled Windows Reg or Res because that looked important. Next we tried NIS Live Update but IE just gate the blank page with the page cannot be found error. I checked all the NIS settings and don't see how NIS could be blocking IE and not Netscape or FireFox. I'm pissed cause I just bought NIS 2006 for $59.97 and now can't use it because it won't download the latest virus defs. Their tech line wants a CC number before even talking with us. Next step is to run a HiJackThis scan and post the log.

 

[Andres3605]

Just download the updates manually from symantec.com.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: Andres3605
Just download the updates manually from symantec.com.

Here's the link to the Intelligent Updater: http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/download/pages/US-N95.html

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Originally posted by: Andres3605
Just download the updates manually from symantec.com.

Tried that, but it opens our IE 6.0 which goes nowhere and keeps saying we need IE5.5 or higher to run the up date. Trying the above link now. Thanks.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Ran the update program and it says it works, but IE still won't go anywhere.

 

[Looney]

Get MS Antispyware.

 

[mechBgon]

If you removed "close to 50 adware" programs, then really I think you ought to Drop The Bomb On It? with a full-blown nuke of the hard drive, followed by a fresh installation of Windows, and then set up Limited accounts for daily-driver usage of the computer. But if you'd like to try a couple more things...

1) follow the instructions I typed up in this text file: http://www.omnicast.net/~tmcfadden/scan.txt PM me the output that'll be found in C:\report.html when it's done.

2) download WinsockFix to have on hand in case the next steps makes all your browsers fail to browse: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4372.html

3) download and install Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta (if you didn't already), update it, reboot into Safe Mode, and run a full scan with it. Remove everything it finds.

4) do likewise with Webroot Spysweeper, they've got a 14-day trialware: http://www.webroot.com/consumer

 

[EagleKeeper]

Get a clean second system.

Download the updates using it.

Copy the updates the infected system and clean it.

Install all the tools that most people should be using to keep a system protected. Most are also free and work well.

Instruct your wife and whoever also use the system on safe surfing.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Ran NIS 2006, MS Antispyware, SpyBot, Adaware and HijackThis. I have a 6 page Hijack log. Is it ok to post here?

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, the HJT log would be interesting, go for it

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 3:03:02 PM, on 12/23/2005
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\LTMSG.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\G-VGA.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ALCXMNTR.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Tablet.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Nikon\NkView6\NkvMon.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqgalry.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Wtablet\TabUserW.exe
C:\Program Files\interMute\SpamSubtract\SpamSub.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Console\NSCSRVCE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/fix_homepage/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://srch-qus10.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://qus10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = 127.0.0.1:81
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = local
N3 - Netscape 7: user_pref("browser.startup.homepage", "http://home.netscape.com/bookmark/7_2/home.html"); (C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\grg9khqe.slt\prefs.js)
N3 - Netscape 7: user_pref("browser.search.defaultengine", "engine://C%3A%5CProgram%20Files%5CNetscape%5CNetscape%5Csearchplugins%5CSBWeb_
2.src"); (C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\grg9khqe.slt\prefs.js)
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\COMPAN~1\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_12_0.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {549B5CA7-4A86-11D7-A4DF-000874180BB3} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Norton Internet Security 2006 - {9ECB9560-04F9-4bbc-943D-298DDF1699E1} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {A8F38D8D-E480-4D52-B7A2-731BB6995FDD} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O2 - BHO: PhishingNet BHO - {DE3A0297-5EFF-4FF2-A48D-ABBC67D4D774} - C:\Program Files\Desktop Armor\GeekSuperheroX.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {FDD3B846-8D59-4ffb-8758-209B6AD74ACC} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\COMPAN~1\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_3_12_0.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton Internet Security 2006 - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AdBlocking\NISShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {C4069E3A-68F1-403E-B40E-20066696354B} - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Reminder] "C:\Windows\Creator\Remind_XP.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LTMSG] LTMSG.exe 7
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\HP\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon05] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CamMonitor] c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Unload\hpqcmon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NVRTCLK] C:\WINDOWS\system32\NVRTCLK\NVRTClk.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VGAUtil] C:\WINDOWS\system32\G-VGA.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlcxMonitor] ALCXMNTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Corel Painter Essentials 21a] C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel Painter Essentials 2\registration.exe /title="Corel Painter Essentials 2" /date=122905 serial=PE02CBX-0000003-NMD lang=EN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QBCD Autorun] E:\autorun.exe restart QB_SEQUENCE first
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [gcasServ] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft AntiSpyware\gcasServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpySweeper] "C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe" /startintray
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Acme.PCHButton] C:\PROGRA~1\COMPAQ~2\Presario\XPHNARP4EN\plugin\bin\PCHButton.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MoneyAgent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyexpr.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ProxyWay] C:\Program Files\ProxyWay\proxyway.exe
O4 - Startup: spamsubtract.lnk = C:\Program Files\interMute\SpamSubtract\SpamSub.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Image Zone Fast Start.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqthb08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: NkvMon.exe.lnk = C:\Program Files\Nikon\NkView6\NkvMon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Quicken Scheduled Updates.lnk = C:\Program Files\Quicken\bagent.exe
O4 - Global Startup: TabUserW.exe.lnk = C:\WINDOWS\system32\Wtablet\TabUserW.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Yahoo! Search - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycsrch.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Dictionary - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycdict.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Yahoo! &Maps - file:///C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common/ycmap.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {4528BBE0-4E08-11D5-AD55-00010333D0AD} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\yhexbmes0521.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Bug Swatter Options - {99FEA1A2-7881-11D1-A9E2-00403320FCF2} - C:\Program Files\Desktop Armor\GeekSuperheroX.dll
O9 - Extra button: Popup Slapdown Options - {A1100DDB-B277-4CAA-A640-B299D79FE25E} - C:\Program Files\Desktop Armor\GeekSuperheroX.dll
O9 - Extra button: Phishing Net Options - {B1100DDB-B277-4CAA-A640-B299D79FE25E} - C:\Program Files\Desktop Armor\GeekSuperheroX.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {352797A0-EFD0-4FA6-B229-145120EA4B8A} (Walt Disney Internet Group Hardware Control) - https://disneyblast.go.com/v3/setup/activex...wareControl.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdat...b?1131795433781
O16 - DPF: {B9191F79-5613-4C76-AA2A-398534BB8999} (YAddBook Class) - http://us.dl1.yimg.com/download.yahoo.com/...utocomplete.cab
O16 - DPF: {C02226EB-A5D7-4B1F-BD7E-635E46C2288D} (Toontown Installer ActiveX Control) - http://download.toontown.com/sv1.0.11.7/ttinst.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://download.games.yahoo.com/games/web_...aploader_v6.cab
O16 - DPF: {F992FDC0-DAA7-4774-B01C-E9DFF19FE0FE} (Invoke Solutions MILive Participant Control(MR)) - http://online.invokesolutions.com/events/b...7206/MILive.cab
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxsrvc.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WRNotifier - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WRLogonNTF.dll
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Internet Security Password Validation (ccISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Proxy (ccProxy) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccProxy.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: COM Host (comHost) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\comHost.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service (navapsvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton Protection Center Service (NSCService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Console\NSCSRVCE.EXE
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AVScan (SAVScan) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\Norton AntiVirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Drivers Service (SNDSrvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SNDSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec SPBBCSvc (SPBBCSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\SPBBC\SPBBCSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (svcWRSSSDK) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: TabletService - Wacom Technology, Corp. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Tablet.exe
O23 - Service: SecuROM User Access Service (V7) (UserAccess7) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UAService7.exe

 

[mechBgon]

From some of those entries, it appears that you had SmileyCentral installed. Is that correct? I'm going to suggest first that you follow the four-step routine I mentioned above, then post another HJT log.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

The instructions for the four-step routine are scarring the sh!t out of her. "Back up important information, everything is important." Any words of reassurance? This could take awhile.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: HomeAppraiser
The instructions for the four-step routine are scarring the sh!t out of her. "Back up important information, everything is important." Any words of reassurance? This could take awhile.

That's so that no one freaks out and blames me if their computer won't run after McAfee peels all the viruses off of it. I haven't had it actually do that, but it could happen. Don't install SmileyCentral next time is the moral of the story :evil:

If you PM me the output from the McAfee scan, and also any info on what Norton Antivirus has detected/quarantined (see the Reports section), then that gives me more insight into what might be holding up the show with IE. But I know that McAfee recognizes SmileyCentral et al, so if you run the McAfee scan first, it may reduce the amount of guesswork that remains with your subsequent HJT log. It also might find viruses that NIS2006 is not picking up in its present, semi-updated condition.

Also, nuke everything that MS Antispyware and Webroot are finding. Don't let a Windows-ish name intimidate you into leaving the junk installed.

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Ok, going to get back to it after dinner. Thank you so much for your help.

 

[xgsound]

May I suggest "BHO Demon" to try to identify the browser thief and allow you to disable it? It is one of the many programs mentioned at http://www.theflyingpenguin.com/penguin_blog.shtml#spyware-removal . I've also found Spysweeper from Webroot to be a suprisingly effective and efficient malware remover in my computer adventures with the relatives. Use every weapon you can find.

It sounds as though NAV knows something is wrong with IE, but doesn't know what to do about it. If it was me, I would download one of the free A/Vs (AVG, Avast, Antivir ... take your pick) , then disconnect from the internet, and disable or remove NAV and run the freebee A/V at least temporarily.

I'm pretty surprised that Mechbgons' steps 2, 3, and 4 didn't fix it. Please post results.

Edit on I take so long to type I see the conversation continued ... yes do steps 2, 3, and 4 and get rid of it all. Edit off

Jim

 

[mechBgon]

He hasn't tried them yet, I don't think

I plunked the HJT output into http://hijackthis.de/en to try to spot some likely stuff to start on, and this entry could be the main sticking point:


O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ProxyWay] C:\Program Files\ProxyWay\proxyway.exe

According to this info, this is an anonymous browsing proxy. See if it can be uninstalled using Add/Remove Programs.

On a side note, it's beyond strange that Symantec would make their update system use Internet Explorer. I haven't used their 2006 stuff, but...

<Spock> it is not logical, Captain. </Spock> *eyebrow*

Sure there isn't a LiveUpdate feature you haven't tried?