Tech Support Pits:

From jjs===
Dear Webby
My system is Microsoft Windows XP home edition, Version 2002,
Service Pack 2. I do not use AOL.  My problem is , every
time I open Internet Explorer some type of search bar opens
across the bottom of the screen and stays there even if I
close IE and open another program. There is an X in the
right hand corner of this bar, but clicking on it has no effect.
The only way I can get rid of it is to restart my computer
but whenever I open IE again, it comes back.  I right clicked
on an empty spot on this bar and then went to properties
and the only thing I can get from properties is this address-
http://lop.com/passthrough/newpass2.html .
If  YOU open this address you will see the same bar that
is on the bottom of my computer screen. How did it get
there but most important is , how do I get rid of it ??
I also use Mozilla Firefox as a browser but don't have
this problem when using it .
Can you Help ????
Thank You
JJS


Dear JJS
That's just a page hijacker and spyware..
They make money by pretending that they referred you to
sites that pay for referrals, and by selling your address
and data to spammers.

Lop.com software is classified as a trojan by antivirus
vendors and as a browser hijacker by antispyware
vendors. You can find plenty of information about it by
doing a Google search for lop.com. Just be warned -
some of the language used by lop victims may melt down
your monitor.

You probably installed Messenger Plus and bought them a
stick to hit you with, and a means to sell all your info to
spammers.

The only amazing thing about Messenger Plus is that
nobody has gone and beat the crap out of Patchou for
sleazing Lop.com onto their machine.

Depending on the version of this Trojan that you have,
you may be able to get rid of some of the annoying parts
of it by UN-installing messenger Plus.
You can also try Spybot-Search&Destroy

If that does not help, then you'll have to get "HijackThis!"
That program is extremely powerful, but definitely NOT a
"click here and go for a beer while the program fixes your
mess".
It makes you work, and you might consider inviting your
neighborhood hacker or script kiddie over for pizza and
beer to help you.

It would definitely be a good idea to read up on Lop.Com
and how to get rid of it. A good article is at
http://www.spywareinfo.com/articles/hijacked/

You can find tons more about it on google.com

Have FUN!
Dear Webby