Uggghhh, I HATE SpySheriff and their malicious ways! I get their program auto-installed, it starts running, and now my desktop is stuck in a modified theme. I can't change my wallpaper, I keep selecting XP theme, Apply, then OK, then I right-click to open prefrences, and it's back on Modified Theme! Also, when I select XP Theme, Modified Theme disappears from the drop-down, and I can't delete it either. Anyone know how I can fix this act of, I guess I'll call it, e-vandalism, since they've locked up my desktop theme. I can use icons just fine, and everything opens with no problem, I'm just stuck with a white cover over a plain blue theme for my desktop.

Is there a way out?

Personally I'd delete SpySheriff off the computer... Then I would install the following programs and run them: AVG, Spybot S&D, and Ad-Aware. If there's anything bad on your computer they'll find it and get rid of it for you... So that may unlock your desktop. It does seem like its a spyware problem, I've never heard of any program other than spyware hijacking your desktop.

AVG: http://free.grisoft.com
Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org
Ad-Aware: http://www.lavasoft.com

All programs are free...

Okay, I ran AdAware, and it found one critical file, which looked like it was in the cookies or a temporary internet folder, I removed the folder, and I deleted the SpySheriff file, which was called Live Anti-Spy. I also ran a PC Tools Virus Scan and Windows Defender, which did not find anything. I have a program called RegScrub XP, but I'm not sure if it's a registry problem, and how I'd fix it. I ran a scan, and I can't tell head or tail of which one would deal with display properties. Is there a program that can help me out in that department?

Post a hijackthis log and I will take a look.

Hijackthis - http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-Hija...4-10227353.html

Just a quick note::: it's pointless installing antivirus AFTER your machine has become infected.

Originally posted by pspluvr:

---

Okay, I ran AdAware, and it found one critical file, which looked like it was in the cookies or a temporary internet folder, I removed the folder, and I deleted the SpySheriff file, which was called Live Anti-Spy. I also ran a PC Tools Virus Scan and Windows Defender, which did not find anything. I have a program called RegScrub XP, but I'm not sure if it's a registry problem, and how I'd fix it. I ran a scan, and I can't tell head or tail of which one would deal with display properties. Is there a program that can help me out in that department?

---

If you ran AdAware & not Ad-Aware(note spelling) you just re-infected yourself

For a realtime spyware scanner & anti-malicous software install notifier http://www.spywareterminator it also has antivirus if you want it as well as a websafe toolbar,installing spyterminator means you won't need ad-aware or spybot it's also far superior to windows defender

I also use spyware terminator, very good free utility. Although it does a good job, I would still keep spybot S & D around for routine scans.

@scorpNZ, we all know windows defender is a joke... and i gave pspluvr a direct link to the ad-aware site, so i think they just forgot to put in the dash... i've always ran that set of three programs as one would pick up something the other missed...