Norton Internet Security / Norton AntiVirus

[ellemarkov]

I have followed the instructions laid out by Norton Internet security on deleting the lines listed on the hosts notepad but I am unable to save them after I have made the deletions.  I get a file name already exists message.  please help. thanks.

[SendOfJive Norton Fighter]

Hi ellemarkov,

Are you trying to delete all of the entries in the hosts file, other than the defaults?  If so, you can use the Microsoft Fix-it Tool to reset the hosts file to its default configuration:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972034

[SendOfJive Norton Fighter]

Another thing to look at, is that in order to manually edit and save the hosts file, you need to open Notepad using "Run as Administrator":

http://ask-leo.com/why_cant_i_make_changes_to_my_host_file_when_i_am_the_administrator_on_this_compu...

[ellemarkov]

thank you for your responses! I used 'fix it' and the non default lines are still listed.  I tried right clicking to then hit run as administrator as ask leo suggested and that was not an option.  what can else can i do to let the computer allow me to open it as administrator? Thank you!!

[SendOfJive Norton Fighter]

After using the Microsoft FIx-it Tool, how many entries were left in the hosts file, many or just one or two?  Why are you trying to edit the hosts file - are there entries placed there by malware? 

[ellemarkov]

there are ALOT of lines containing various websites that I have never heard of nor visisted listed on several of the hosts.  they all come listed under "entries inserted by spybot search & destroy".  i've uninstalled spybot.  

[SendOfJive Norton Fighter]

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ellemarkov wrote:

they all come listed under "entries inserted by spybot search & destroy".  i've uninstalled spybot.  

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Ah, now we may be getting somewhere.  I think the easiest way to fix this is to reinstall Spybot, at least temporarily.  When you use a program like Spybot or SpywareBlaster to make changes to your system - such as Spybot's immunizations - you need to remember to undo those changes before uninstalling the program.  The reason for this is that those are changes to system settings and registry keys that will remain in effect until they are undone, and removing the program you used does not automatically revert those changed settings.  There are three things you probably need to address once you have reinstalled Spybot.

First, there is an option to lock the Hosts file.  It sounds like you may have selected this, and it may be the cause of your trouble..  To undo this, select the Advanced Mode and open Tools.  Select IE tweaks in the left column and uncheck "Lock Hosts file read-only as protection against hijackers."  Uncheck the Lock IE options, as well, if they have been selected.

 

Second, while still in Advanced Mode, select Hosts File in the left column and click "Remove Spybot S&D Hosts list."

Finally, select Spybot S&D at the top of the left column, and then choose Immunize.  Make sure all of the boxes are checked next to each entry and then click Undo to revert all of these other changes that Spybot had made as part of its immunization process (cookie blocking, ActiveX killbits, etc.).

Check your Hosts file again to make sure the Spybot entries are gone.  If so, you may uninstall Spybot again if you wish.

[ellemarkov]

I reinstalled spybot.  the only option under IE tweaks was Lock Hosts file read-only as protection against hijackers.  It was unchecked and I was not given the option to check it (even if i wanted to).  Under the hosts file when i tried to delete the spybot hosts list i received an error message that the file could not be created and access was denied???

[SendOfJive Norton Fighter]

Make sure you are running in an administrator account.  Spybot will not allow limited users to change settings.

[ellemarkov]

how do you mean run in an administrator account?  i'm not certain i understand exactly what you mean?