Guest Larry G Posted August 3, 2007 Posted August 3, 2007 Whenever I try to access a page for a download, i.e. an update, Norton 360, Webroot Spy sweeper, Zone Alarm etc. I get a white screen with the above message. I've run Norton, Zone Alarm, XoftSpySE, Reg Cure, Spy sweeper and none of them indicate I'm infected with anything, yet I can't download anything that can help me. Any clues? Thank you for your help
Guest FeMaster Posted August 3, 2007 Posted August 3, 2007 Re: HTTP Error 403 Forbidden Internet Explorer "Larry G" <Larry G@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:98EAF34B-E238-4810-8FE3-1BA848FBC125@microsoft.com... > Whenever I try to access a page for a download, i.e. an update, Norton > 360, > Webroot Spy sweeper, Zone Alarm etc. I get a white screen with the above > message. I've run Norton, Zone Alarm, XoftSpySE, Reg Cure, Spy sweeper > and > none of them indicate I'm infected with anything, yet I can't download > anything that can help me. Any clues? > > Thank you for your help > If I understand correctly, you can't download updates for any of those pieces of software? It's possible that you are infected with something newer that can't be detected with your current virus / spyware definitions, and has modified your "hosts" file to point you to another website, instead of the proper site to obtain the updates... Does this error message appear in your IE browser window? If so, check the "address bar" at the top of the browser window. If it lists a site that is different than that which you were trying to get to (i.e. http://www.symatec.com/... something similar anyway, if you were trying to get updates for Norton,) then it is possible that the hosts file has been changed. To check, make your way to this directory: <OS Drive Letter (usually C)>:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc Look for the file named "hosts" when you go to open it, Windows won't know how. Tell it to open it up with NOTEPAD. Look inside the file, it should look like the following (without the start and end separation lines): ---<START>---------------------------------------------------- # Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp. # # This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows. # # This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each # entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name. # The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one # space. # # Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol. # # For example: # # 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server # 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host 127.0.0.1 localhost ---<END>-------------------------------------------------------- There should be nothing else listed in that file. Sometime legitimate programs DO add things to it to protect you from the "bad" websites, but those are rare. If there is other things, check the sites that are listed (second column) and make sure that it's only "bad" sites, and there is no mention of the sites you are trying to access (Symantec, Zone Alarm, etc.) If you find them, delete that WHOLE line, heck if you want to, delete the entire list, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT I HAVE LISTED ABOVE, that portion MUST remain there. Save the file and try the updates again. Good luck, hope this helps, at least a little...
Guest Larry G Posted August 4, 2007 Posted August 4, 2007 Re: HTTP Error 403 Forbidden Internet Explorer FeMaster, Thank you for your response. The contents of that file are identical to the one you sent me. I have worked on this all day today and I've about had it. I've had to clean a hard drive before and it was a nightmare so I'll be giving it a crack tomorrow. If you have any further suggestions, I'm all ears. Thanks again, Larry G. "FeMaster" wrote: > > "Larry G" <Larry G@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message > news:98EAF34B-E238-4810-8FE3-1BA848FBC125@microsoft.com... > > Whenever I try to access a page for a download, i.e. an update, Norton > > 360, > > Webroot Spy sweeper, Zone Alarm etc. I get a white screen with the above > > message. I've run Norton, Zone Alarm, XoftSpySE, Reg Cure, Spy sweeper > > and > > none of them indicate I'm infected with anything, yet I can't download > > anything that can help me. Any clues? > > > > Thank you for your help > > > > If I understand correctly, you can't download updates for any of those > pieces of software? > It's possible that you are infected with something newer that can't be > detected with your current virus / spyware definitions, and has modified > your "hosts" file to point you to another website, instead of the proper > site to obtain the updates... > > Does this error message appear in your IE browser window? If so, check the > "address bar" at the top of the browser window. If it lists a site that is > different than that which you were trying to get to (i.e. > http://www.symatec.com/... something similar anyway, if you were trying to > get updates for Norton,) then it is possible that the hosts file has been > changed. > > To check, make your way to this directory: <OS Drive Letter (usually > C)>:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc Look for the file named "hosts" when you > go to open it, Windows won't know how. Tell it to open it up with NOTEPAD. > Look inside the file, it should look like the following (without the start > and end separation lines): > ---<START>---------------------------------------------------- > > # Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp. > # > # This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows. > # > # This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each > # entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should > # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name. > # The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one > # space. > # > # Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual > # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol. > # > # For example: > # > # 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server > # 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host > > 127.0.0.1 localhost > > ---<END>-------------------------------------------------------- > > There should be nothing else listed in that file. Sometime legitimate > programs DO add things to it to protect you from the "bad" websites, but > those are rare. If there is other things, check the sites that are listed > (second column) and make sure that it's only "bad" sites, and there is no > mention of the sites you are trying to access (Symantec, Zone Alarm, etc.) > If you find them, delete that WHOLE line, heck if you want to, delete the > entire list, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT I HAVE LISTED ABOVE, that portion > MUST remain there. Save the file and try the updates again. > > Good luck, hope this helps, at least a little... > > >
Guest FeMaster Posted August 4, 2007 Posted August 4, 2007 Re: HTTP Error 403 Forbidden Internet Explorer You could try a few of the free online scanners if you haven't already. Of course, this would also only apply if you can get to them... I've provided a large list below. You should be able to get to at least a few of them... http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ http://www.pandasecurity.com/homeusers/solutions/activescan/ http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner -- Highly Rated! http://onlinescan.avast.com/ http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml -- Another High Ranker http://global.ahnlab.com/products/myv3.html There is also the self-contained Virus Scanner, the McAfee Avert Stinger. This checks for a limited number of viruses, but they are the nastier ones, deemed to be a Medium or Higher risk assessment... http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/ Hopefully whatever it is that is goofing things up for you will be eliminated through one of those... Good luck again, hope all goes well! "Larry G" <LarryG@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:AF28BF2C-1E06-4692-AD3D-C766F15D1FCF@microsoft.com... > FeMaster, > Thank you for your response. The contents of that file are identical > to the one you sent me. I have worked on this all day today and I've > about > had it. I've had to clean a hard drive before and it was a nightmare so > I'll > be giving it a crack tomorrow. If you have any further suggestions, I'm > all > ears. > > Thanks again, > Larry G. > > "FeMaster" wrote: > >> >> "Larry G" <Larry G@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message >> news:98EAF34B-E238-4810-8FE3-1BA848FBC125@microsoft.com... >> > Whenever I try to access a page for a download, i.e. an update, Norton >> > 360, >> > Webroot Spy sweeper, Zone Alarm etc. I get a white screen with the >> > above >> > message. I've run Norton, Zone Alarm, XoftSpySE, Reg Cure, Spy sweeper >> > and >> > none of them indicate I'm infected with anything, yet I can't download >> > anything that can help me. Any clues? >> > >> > Thank you for your help >> > >> >> If I understand correctly, you can't download updates for any of those >> pieces of software? >> It's possible that you are infected with something newer that can't be >> detected with your current virus / spyware definitions, and has modified >> your "hosts" file to point you to another website, instead of the proper >> site to obtain the updates... >> >> Does this error message appear in your IE browser window? If so, check >> the >> "address bar" at the top of the browser window. If it lists a site that >> is >> different than that which you were trying to get to (i.e. >> http://www.symatec.com/... something similar anyway, if you were trying >> to >> get updates for Norton,) then it is possible that the hosts file has been >> changed. >> >> To check, make your way to this directory: <OS Drive Letter (usually >> C)>:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc Look for the file named "hosts" when >> you >> go to open it, Windows won't know how. Tell it to open it up with >> NOTEPAD. >> Look inside the file, it should look like the following (without the >> start >> and end separation lines): >> ---<START>---------------------------------------------------- >> >> # Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp. >> # >> # This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows. >> # >> # This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each >> # entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should >> # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name. >> # The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one >> # space. >> # >> # Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual >> # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol. >> # >> # For example: >> # >> # 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server >> # 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host >> >> 127.0.0.1 localhost >> >> ---<END>-------------------------------------------------------- >> >> There should be nothing else listed in that file. Sometime legitimate >> programs DO add things to it to protect you from the "bad" websites, but >> those are rare. If there is other things, check the sites that are >> listed >> (second column) and make sure that it's only "bad" sites, and there is no >> mention of the sites you are trying to access (Symantec, Zone Alarm, >> etc.) >> If you find them, delete that WHOLE line, heck if you want to, delete the >> entire list, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT I HAVE LISTED ABOVE, that portion >> MUST remain there. Save the file and try the updates again. >> >> Good luck, hope this helps, at least a little... >> >> >> >
Guest Elmo Posted August 4, 2007 Posted August 4, 2007 Re: HTTP Error 403 Forbidden Internet Explorer Larry G wrote: > Whenever I try to access a page for a download, i.e. an update, Norton 360, > Webroot Spy sweeper, Zone Alarm etc. I get a white screen with the above > message. I've run Norton, Zone Alarm, XoftSpySE, Reg Cure, Spy sweeper and > none of them indicate I'm infected with anything, yet I can't download > anything that can help me. Any clues? > > Thank you for your help Look at the bottom of the browser window. Is there a red X or other red icon? If so, click it for options to allow the site, etc. This is set in the Privacy section of Internet Options. This of course doesn't have to be the problem; it's just something else to check out. -- Joe =o)
Guest Larry G Posted August 4, 2007 Posted August 4, 2007 Re: HTTP Error 403 Forbidden Internet Explorer FeMaster and Elmo, Thank you so much for your help. I have located the culprit. My Zone Alarm settings had been altered thereby disallowing Active X and Java Script, not to mention other issues. FeMaster, I can't thank you enough. You put me on the path to my salvation. You really know your _ _ _ _ , (computers). THX, Larry G. "Elmo" wrote: > Larry G wrote: > > Whenever I try to access a page for a download, i.e. an update, Norton 360, > > Webroot Spy sweeper, Zone Alarm etc. I get a white screen with the above > > message. I've run Norton, Zone Alarm, XoftSpySE, Reg Cure, Spy sweeper and > > none of them indicate I'm infected with anything, yet I can't download > > anything that can help me. Any clues? > > > > Thank you for your help > > Look at the bottom of the browser window. Is there a red X or other red > icon? If so, click it for options to allow the site, etc. This is set > in the Privacy section of Internet Options. This of course doesn't have > to be the problem; it's just something else to check out. > > -- > Joe =o) >
Guest FeMaster Posted August 5, 2007 Posted August 5, 2007 Re: HTTP Error 403 Forbidden Internet Explorer Glad you figured it out... I'm betting that you managed to get to one of the sites and it gave you a warning that JavaScript or Active-X was disabled? Just a guess here... :) Glad your back up and running! Have a good one. "Larry G" <LarryG@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:D3B141A1-A0BB-49A4-95A1-9A50F96D958A@microsoft.com... > FeMaster and Elmo, > Thank you so much for your help. I have located the culprit. My Zone > Alarm settings had been altered thereby disallowing Active X and Java > Script, > not to mention other issues. FeMaster, I can't thank you enough. You put > me > on the path to my salvation. You really know your > _ _ _ _ , (computers). > > > THX, > > Larry G. > "Elmo" wrote: > >> Larry G wrote: >> > Whenever I try to access a page for a download, i.e. an update, Norton >> > 360, >> > Webroot Spy sweeper, Zone Alarm etc. I get a white screen with the >> > above >> > message. I've run Norton, Zone Alarm, XoftSpySE, Reg Cure, Spy sweeper >> > and >> > none of them indicate I'm infected with anything, yet I can't download >> > anything that can help me. Any clues? >> > >> > Thank you for your help >> >> Look at the bottom of the browser window. Is there a red X or other red >> icon? If so, click it for options to allow the site, etc. This is set >> in the Privacy section of Internet Options. This of course doesn't have >> to be the problem; it's just something else to check out. >> >> -- >> Joe =o) >> >
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