dpinning

Thank K.

Hey K, A few other OT questions when you have the chance. 1) What is your backup routine and what if any software do you use? 2) Do you download the updates through the Hippo update checker or simply use it to make you aware and then go directly to the manufacturers website? TIA, David

Okay dude, then you are now officially off the hook! Everything seems to be humming along fine on this end. Thanks again Kevin and best wishes.

Got it. Do you then cut and paste from memory stick into fields or does it somehow grab off the stick? Plus, is your stick encrypted?

You're very welcome. Well deserved. Actually, this whole experience was a blessing. You bolstered my faith in people. And I am much more knowledgeable about computer security, which I plan to pass on to friends who are less enlightened. Running Chrome now on both computers with WOT and Adblock so far. Software is all up to date and installed Malewarebytes Pro on both machines. In a related but off topic question. What do you do regarding passwords. I have been using my brain and a word document stored in TrueCrypt containers, but in doing the research this event started, I came across Keepass and Lastpass. Do you have any thoughts in this area? TIA

Cheers back to you Kevin! Thank you so much for your invaluable help. Donation sent. Get yourself a well deserved ice cream cone...or a new Ferrari! : ) P.S. Will I always be able to reference this thread by cutting and pasting the address or does it go dead?

Have done all you suggested. mysearchdial no longer shows up in Chrome as the default search engine or even an option. Thank you! Any need to run combofix or do you think we are good?

I never synced chrome with my google account. When I sign into my google account and go to dashboard, google chrome does not exist as an item.

BTW, I have been copying and pasting select parts of our dialog to save for reference and I noticed this on entry # 27. I had forgotten that when I was reporting that my new install of Chrome had mysearchdial as the default. With your experience, why do you think that would have shown up in the new install. Do you think there is still an issue somwhere? The two items are as follows (seems I can't get to log until I do something with these...should I remove or ignore?): PUP. Optional. MySeardchDial.A Registry Key HKCU\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions...... PUP. Optional. MySeardchDial.A Registry Key HKLM\Software\Google\Chrome\Extensions......

After clicking the donation link, it seems like I don't even have to have an active paypal account to donate right? It can just be a one time thing.

I know. You had recommended Firefox and I read a bit on both yesterday. Chose to try Chrome after what I read. We'll see. Most of the same extensions your recommended are also available on Chrome. Thank you again for those tips. Any remaining concerns about having not been able to run Combo Fix? We you able to get the same level of comfort going another route? I haven't use PayPal in over 5 years, so I am coming up to speed on that again, so I can send a donation your way for all of the hand holding and excellent advice.

Hey Kevin, That is exactly what I did. Since I didn't see mysearchdial (msd) in the add/remove programs list or as a Chrome extension, I went into Chrome settings and chose Google as my search default. This placed an x by msd which has stayed gone through Chrome open and close as well as reboot.

Hey Kevin. Thank you for showing me how to take ownership. It worked! I was able to delete the two google folders. One in Program files and the other in program data. Removed all Google programs from add/remove. I then downloaded Chrome from the google website, but once it opened there was mysearchdial as the default to be used when searching from omnibox.

Hey Kevin, Computer tells me I can't delete the google folders in either program files or program data..."access denied you need permission to perform this action." Huh? A quick search reveals various answers, but wanted your take on how to delete. Were almost there. Thank you!

Yes I have had chrome installed before.