Why can't I change the wallpaper on my computer?

My computer has been hit with antivirus gold wallpaper and icons. It has affected by internet browser and will not let me change the wallpaper. When I go the the site that has a removal tool they want to sell it to me. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Bob Swanson

This question was answered on July 13, 2005. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

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The data miner files will invariably be cookies that have been set when you have visited a website There are many legitimate reasons for a website to set a cookie in your browser, the most common of these is to save you from logging on each time you visit a page on a website that you are a member of

However sometimes cookies can be set to track browsing habits and gather information about general browsing habits and even your habits Generally speaking this type of cookie is one you don't need and can do without, but they can also be useful For example, you might be a member of book buying website and when you arrive at the site you logon with your user name and a cookie is set; now this cookie could be used to track what type of books you are looking at (or buying) and then the next time you visit the site it may show you books in the categories you have bought or browsed

I regularly delete all cookies my computer, except for a few that I know I want - automatic login cookies to sites that I trust.

Trojans are however a completely different kettle of fish Trojans are normally software that has been installed on your computer with the sole purpose of allowing other people to access your computer or for the computer to send your personal information to the trojan author They can be highly dangerous and hard to detect The simplest way to avoid them is never to install software whose origin you cannot completely trust.

Back to the crux of your question, the data miners are not tracking the visitors to your website, but are tracking your visits to other websites

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Posted by Johnny of Katharine Gibbs School - New York on July 13, 2005

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