projecteq website down?

[Angelox]

Originally Posted by Teppen

spybot always updated and norton av always updated, ran both including clamav from my linux box to check out my windows machine and everything came back with nothing found..

I dont know what my problem actually was, but I have fixed this by using the Acronis True Image backup I made when bought my windows pc. I can logon and post on peq forums now. Sorry about my previous posts inwhich I thought I was ip banned. Ive reposted under my last post there, stating I will remain as active on the peq quest team, after reading a post by Cavedude, which sounded promising.

I had a malware problem like this with a friend , Spybot, Ad-Aware didn't work, don't know about Norton, but Bitdefender and Fprot didn't see it either.
Spy Sweeper would spot it, delete it , but it kept coming back. The other two cleaned it out for good, with other crap that was in there too. If you use programs like "Bearshare" they screw you good with malware , although they say they don't. There's a lot of real nasty stuff out there, very well cloaked, and very hard to flush out one you have it.

[John Adams]

Teppen, glad to see your issues are worked out. Your problem is a very scarey one, though. Sounds like you had all the technical savvy to attempt to troubleshoot, yet something still was clinging in there. Welcome back!

[GeorgeS]

Acronis True Image backup is very valuable. I bought my copy a few months ago, and is leagues better than norton ghost.

GeorgeS

[Teppen]

after i used the Acronis True Image backup and reverted to factory install, patched to current windows updates, patched up to current norton av version, ran full norton av check which came back nothing wrong, I installed and ran the three programs listed by Angelox, all came back nothing wrong. also ran latest spybot s&d, nothing returned.

if i type in 66.28.184.13 page loads. but if i try to login takes to same error page i was getting and doesnt log me in. also if i try googling projecteq and clicking or www.projecteq.net in address bar returns with same error.

also if i try 66.28.184.13/quests
or 66.28.184.13/edit
or 66.28.184.13/quests/submit
or 66.28.184.13/quick_recipe.php

all redirect to www.projecteq.net and then loads same error page i was getting. so im still stuck.

only sites i visited was:

updates for windows
updates for norton av
those 3 sites listed by Angelox
google search for projecteq

so i didnt wander far but still got hit by this nasty thing again. any ideas?

[cavedude]

You may have an infection. More than likely spyware, and the thing you need to know about spyware is one program is NEVER enough. Spybot, like all other anti-spyware programs on its on SUCKS. But, if you use spybot, ad-aware, ewido, M$ defender, etc all together than you have quite the defense. Also, you'll need to make use of tools such as hijackthis, autoruns, and Winsock XP Fix to fully get rid of most infections. The other thing you need to know is there isn't a single anti-virus program on the market that effectively fights spyware. Sure, they can detect a couple of variants here and there but they can't completely remove them.

So, I recommend grabbing as many anti-spyware tools as you can (starting with the ones I mentioned above) install them, boot into safe mode, and do full scans with all of them (let your machine scan over night) When they are finished cleaning, run hijackthis and autoruns, remove any suspicious entries either finds. Hell, if you don't mind reinstalling a couple of programs, remove everything both find EXCEPT Microsoft entries and your device drivers (though keep an eye out for any odd ones). Run Winsock XP Fix to repair your winsock, and reboot into safe mode again. Run hijack and autoruns again. If any of the entries are back (and they aren't obvious ones that aren't malicious) track down the file, remove it if you can, remove the entry and reboot again.

In most cases that should clean your machine. Many exceptions apply, but the scanners will tell you everything you need to know. If something lingers, do a search on the web for manual removal directions.

If it still doesn't work, then I would recommend backing up any user data, formatting and starting fresh. A backup image is useless if it too, is infected or has the problem.

[eq4me]

I was just browsing through this thread so dont beat me if I am way of.

I recon you have an Internet Router/Firewall. Maybe with an dhcp server.
If you have it might be a good idea to boot from some Linux Life CD like Knoppix and try if you can reproduce the behavior. If yes you most probably have an wonky/hacked Router/Firewall Setup.

[rojadruid]

Originally Posted by eq4me

I was just browsing through this thread so dont beat me if I am way of.

I recon you have an Internet Router/Firewall. Maybe with an dhcp server.
If you have it might be a good idea to boot from some Linux Life CD like Knoppix and try if you can reproduce the behavior. If yes you most probably have an wonky/hacked Router/Firewall Setup.

Or bypass the router and connect directly to the modem and then try the website.