HELP!
 

So I'm checking bot reports and click a link to verify a "page not found." I get a 403 error and IE locks up for a second (I'm currently posting this in Firefox). From that point on IE and Outlook are freezing, and I can't even check with MS for updates because windows update only works with IE, which won't open.

Have run CW Shredder (just in case), ad aware, spybot and none of them came up with anything relevant, plus a full system scan from Norton Antivirus. Nada. HJT log doesn't show anything that seems out of the ordinary, and I'm getting no help from the mainstream tech support forums.

Anyone got any ideas? Anything at all?

Try the new beta version of Microsoft's Spyware removal. I don't like MS as a company, but that's the single best anti spyware I ever used. So, try MS Spyware removal: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...e/default.mspx

Unfortunately, because of the issue I'm already having I can't update my definitions for MS Antispyware, so it hasn't been any help at all. :(

If you are running XP, you might want to do a "system restore".
Start - Programs - Accessories - System Tools - System Restore.
Pick the last date when your system was still running and cross your fingers! |pcwins|

Go to House call and do an on line scan. May be more reliable.
Did you get any weird error messages? anything at all?? Do you have a trojan scanner? Go here to scan on line for trojans
Go here for on line spyware scan
Download hijack this, run it and post to Tom Cyote's hijack this forum here

That's the best I can do

If you have a nasty bug, using system restore will not help as it is already living in it and may reinfect. system restore is good in cases when a system is not infected.

Have you tried running those apps (spyware, etc) from safe mode? If not, start in safe and run those applications.

~crosses fingers and other pertinent body parts for you~