Unable to download any files within a browser

[Mike Rector]

Everytime I try and download a file in IE 9, I get a message that "filename contained a virus and was deleted". This started about 3 weeks ago. The same thing happens in Firefox, except there's no message - the file just shows as downloading and then disappears at the end of the download. I'm running Vista Home Premium 64-bit, with all current updates (although I don't think the OS is the problem) and MSE as my AV software. These files are good downloads and do not have a virus (downloaded elsewhere and checked). Anyone have any idea why this is happening? Thanks.

[ruirib]

Hi,

Welcome to the Lounge.

Have you tried to disable MSE for a while, just to test it?

[Mike Rector]

Sorry, I should have said that yes, I disabled MSE and still get the message in IE9 and still can't download in Firefox. I suspect that I have somehow gotten a plug-in into my browsers, but it doesn't show up, and Malwarebytes doesn't find anything. I'm at a loss right now. Thanks for the reply, though.

[ruirib]

There are a few similar stories to yours. This one has some advice that may be of use:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/et-EE/ieitprocurrentver/thread/c888dbaf-cd4a-40a2-a75a-6927c7d2844c

Did you use another AV app before MSE?

[Mike Rector]

Based on the info above, and recalling that this problem seems to have started after the last install of windows updates, I did some more research. I restored my system to prior to the last windows update installation, and everything worked fine. As soon as I installed the new MSE client, the problem came back. Disabling MSE does not eliminate the problem, but if I uninstall MSE the problem goes away. So I am fairly certain the problem is tied to the latest install of MSE. I've tried uninstalling MSE and then reinstalling from the downloaded MSE install from Microsoft, and as soon as I install MSE the problem comes back. Anyone else experienced this problem after the last install of MSE?

[ruirib]

It does seem it is MSE causing it. How long have you been using MSE? Can it be that there are some remnants of another AV and this version of MSE doesn't deal with it gracefully?

[Mike Rector]

I've been using MSE for probably 3 years now, and as far as I know it is the only AV software that has been on this machine. As i noted, when I restored the previous version, before the update, the problem disappeared. I thought perhaps the problem was remnants of the previous version during the upgrade through windows update, so that's why I uninstalled MSE then reinstalled the lastest version. Unfortunately that didn't work and I no longer have the software from the earlier install. I'm sure it had been patched and updated many times since then anyway. I have looked and can find no other AV software that might have installed surreptitiously. However, I do recall at some point in the past getting an AVG toolbar installed, which I deleted and can find not signs of it in the registry. However, I wondered if perhaps there is some remnant in the browser which is the culprit, but I can't find any signs that it is still there. Any ideas on how to find if it's still lurking, and, if so, how to completely get rid of it? Thanks.

[ruirib]

If you choose Tools->Manage Addons in IE, you can see all add-ons and check if there are any remnants of the toolbar. Some google search results suggest the toolbar may be associated with this issue.

[Mike Rector]

Just a final note to close this out. The problem was the AVG Secure Toolbar that inadvertantly (didn't uncheck a box while installing something else) got installed. I had uninstalled the toolbar in Control Panel-->Programs and Features but there were numerous folders, files and registry entries left behind which were causing the problem. I deleleted all the folders and files that I could tell contained files related to the toolbar (I had to boot in safe mode to delete one file), then ran CCleaner to clean the registry and everything is working fine now.

[LinusF3]

Curiouser and curiouser. On both IE and CHROME I am now unable to download. I use Zone Alarm Extreme but have made no changes to it recently. I do not use MSE. I have run CCLeaner and Malwarebytes without any bad results. After this behavior started I did run Windows Defender offline beta, it took 4 DAYS to run, indicated it had found some suspicious things but when I hit the continue button it curled up anhd disappeared. I've checked for logs or anything else but have found nothing. The MS site is clueless. So, what could affect both browsers and, perhaps, eat the Defender results? Or do we have two mysteries?