Default for homepage

[map08]

Hello, In internet options in control panel, my default homepage seems to have been changed to a long string of numbers and % signs. When I've logged on using this address, it leads me to www.globalfinder.com, which is quite annoying. I suspect its probs something to do with popups etc, which I have sorted now. But the default is still set to this strange website. Even though I apply btinternet.com as my homepage, I can't seem to get it to be accepted as the default page. Do I need to change anything in the registry? I'm a bit of a rookie with computers. Any help would be appreciated!

[map08]

Oh, and how do I back up the registry?

[j2buttonsw]

Homepage: IE > tools > Internet Options > (or right click the IE icon on your desktop) the first tab has a place to put your home page. Simply put in www.btinternet.com in this field (I prefer www.google.com but there you go). OK then you are away. As for the registry Start > run > type regedit then OK Then under Registry, export registry but ensure the all export range is selected. It is saved as a .reg file.

[powerless]

Your homepage seems to be have been "Hijacked" by the website you mention! Any change you make will be reversed by this "hijack" therefore making any change you make useless. Microsoft have a big article on this and does include editing the registry. You can find it if you click this > http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320159 Howev
er, there is a free piece of software that will revert and keep the change you make to the homepage setting. This will also stop the homepage from changing in the future. The software is called "Startpage guard" and can be found here > http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/spg/ There maybe more to it then this so i would suggest you download "Adaware 6.0" from here > http://lavasoft.element5.com/support/download/ Install, UPDATE and then scan your PC. It will scan and (may) find such nasties as a "hijack". Adaware 6 is an easy program to use. However there is a more powerful program (as it has extra features) that will also scan your PC for nasties. It is known as Spybot S & D and will find things that adaware will not (and visa versa). If you do download this use caution as it can identify files and registry entries that you may need. You can find it if you click here > http://beam.to/spybotsd As for editing the registry Microsoft have a very detailed explanation on this... > http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=256986