Probems with cookies/security settings

[Ragnar]

Grr, the other day my friend was using my computer while no one was around. For some reason when he was done he cleared my history and deleted all my cookies In his lame attempt to cover his tracks he obviously screwed up something :\ My cookies no longer last properly, I can log in and surf the forum for 5 minutes, but then I'm no longer logged in for no reason. I'm also having problems logging into other sites (like Suprnova) at all. I have my privacy setting set at the minimum to accept all cookies, and I can't seem to find any other options that influence cookies. Also, whenever I hit a somewhat secure site like Hotmail I get a lovely security alert, which I've attached a picture of. To boot, my Norton AV subscription just ran out yesterday, so I can't see if he downloaded some fresh pornsite virus...

Anyone have any ideas?
I'm running Windows XP Pro, and using IE 6.

[Articwolf]

looks like your friend screwed you...bad boy!

[Malign Alumnus]

well if you cant find the problem the one way you KNOW you are gonna fix is to backup ALL your files and write zeros to your drive and reinstall EVERYTHING. Helps clean out any unwanted junk too

[Nightfall Z]

Originally posted by ragnar14
Grr, the other day my friend was using my computer while no one was around. For some reason when he was done he cleared my history and deleted all my cookies In his lame attempt to cover his tracks he obviously screwed up something :\ My cookies no longer last properly, I can log in and surf the forum for 5 minutes, but then I'm no longer logged in for no reason. I'm also having problems logging into other sites (like Suprnova) at all. I have my privacy setting set at the minimum to accept all cookies, and I can't seem to find any other options that influence cookies. Also, whenever I hit a somewhat secure site like Hotmail I get a lovely security alert, which I've attached a picture of. To boot, my Norton AV subscription just ran out yesterday, so I can't see if he downloaded some fresh pornsite virus...

Anyone have any ideas?
I'm running Windows XP Pro, and using IE 6.

Well since its XP why dont u just use your system resore tool. Then all you have to do is just restore everything a day before your friend used it. I dont know if it will fix the problem but its worth a shot.

[Dark Neighbour]

That'd work, if he made a restore point just before his friend got on to his computer. I'd say to go through every single option in IE, chances are ur friend changed something in there, that is hindering ur ability to cruise properly...

[Ragnar]

I've already tried fiddeling around with all the options in IE. I can't seem to find anything he changed :\
I've never had to use it, but I'll try out system restore. If that doesn't work I'll try out AdAware/Spybot, see if he picked up anything.

Geh, if only there was a easy way to ask somebody what they fucked up while downloading porn.

[SkylaDoragono]

Just ask him nicely and calmly what he did wrong. That way, he'll trust you, and you'll be able to fix your problem... then when his back is turned, whack him over the head with a steel pipe and tell him not to do it again.

[Ragnar]

Mmmm pipe

System restore didn't help. Gotta try out spyware checkers in the morning I guess.... Failing that I'll go with a good old reformat. My drive needed a crazy 1-2 day defragment anyway, so burning for a couple days couldn't hurt And hey, maybe my Norton would work again after that too

[Ragnar]

Hmm, security certificate dates messed up + Norton expiring + cookies stopping... *Glances at system clock* :\ 2 years off...

Fixing the clock and running Spybot & Adaware (which both found stuff) seems to of cleared up most everything. I still can't log onto Suprnova, but Norton is valid again, so I'll wait for new virus definations (there were no new ones since my last update) and see if it can find anything.

[grantu2]

there are so manything he/she could have done to your computer. Just a tip for you next time.

:editing your I.E. so noone can screw with stuff:

Start->Run->type "gpedit.msc"

Goto User Configuration->Administrative Template -> Windows Components ->Internet Explorer ->

enable these options:
Disable changing history settings
Disable changing temporary internet files settings

Next go to the "Internet Control Panel" tab on top
and enable "Disable the general page" exit

Now noone will mess with your internet explorer settings, you can modify the gpedit to do alot of network admin stuff so users can only do certain things on your computer.