This Page Cannot Be Displayed ? What to Do When Your Internet Breaks

The DNS (Domain Name System) servers are what your computer uses to figure out where to go on the internet. www.whatever.com means absolutely nothing to your machine. It's only with the help of the DNS servers that your computer can figure out what address that domain name correlates to.

There are several methods of hijacking the DNS entries on your PC. The most common, and easiest way to do it is to add false entries into your computers HOSTS file. We'll cover how to empty that out first:

The HOSTS file is located in a couple of different locations, depending on your Windows version. In Windows XP it is located at C:WINDOWSsystem32driversetchosts (no extension). In Windows 98/ME it is at C:Windowshosts (also no extension).

Open it up with notepad. The contents of the file should look like this:

# Copyright (c) 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

If there are any entries below the localhost one, then unless you've added some on purpose, then you've more than likely been hit with a DNS hijacker of some sort. The best course of action here is to run a full system scan with an up to date virus scanner, as well as a couple of spyware scanners. (Preferably from safe mode)

After the scans are done, then use WinSockFix to repair the corrupted WinSock settings. This should take care of the problem.

Kevin Souter is a full time computer repair technician. He also operates a free spyware removal site, as well as a general computer repair site.

---

How to Buy a Plasma Television Set

Most people think that all you have to do to... Read More

Faster Browsing Tips

IF WE say that it was mainly because of the... Read More

Connect Your IPAQ to Linux

Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More

Learning To Navigate Ciscos Online Documentation

When studying for your Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE exam,... Read More

Home Electronics: The Facts About Plasma TV

Not so many years ago, homes across the country watched... Read More

Computer Performance Tips

Introduction In this article I will clearly spell out the... Read More

Email Management

If you utilize a computer at home or work it... Read More

Setting File Permissions On A Unix Server

File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More

Why Build Your Own Computer System

Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More

Quick System Restore with ASR Backups

ASR (Automated System Recovery) is a feature available on the... Read More

Basic Computer Thermodynamics

That desk in front of you and everything else around... Read More

Cisco CCNA / CCNP Certification: OSPF ASBRs Explained And Illustrated

When I first started studying for my CCNP, some of... Read More

Bluetooth Technology: Tips for Buying Headsets or Headphones

The technological horizon has always got something new to offer,... Read More

D2X Digital SLRCoolpix 8800 Actually Refers to Two Nikon Cameras

Addressing a D2X Digital SLRCoolpix 8800 search, this article provides... Read More

Temporary Fixes to Spyware, Ad-ware, and Virus Infections

So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your... Read More

What Are You Looking For In A Cheap MP3 Player?

Are you stymied by the vast offerings in cheap mp3... Read More

Nephrology and Dialysis For a PDA

Saving Lives With A Pocket PCFree medical downloads can be... Read More

Ergonomics and Healthy Computing - Positioning Your Body For Maximum Comfort At Your Computer

Do you remember the old saw about how computers would... Read More

A Tale of Two Regeds

Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to... Read More

Be Your Own IT Department

If you use a computer, you need to know more... Read More

Does Microsoft Show Hackers How To Attack?

After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating... Read More

Your Affiliate Business - Peripherals, Software, Computers

I have always been interested in computers, but in the... Read More

Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance

Although there are many things that can affect the performance... Read More

Be Prepared in the Event Computer Disaster Strikes

ComputersBusinesses and individuals alike have all grown to rely on... Read More

Lightning Season: How to Avoid Data Loss

We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More

What Exactly are Screensavers? - part II

Here are some tips on how to use screensavers:First of... Read More

Is Desktop Search Deserving?

Google, in their march to stay ahead of the pack... Read More

Basic Problem in a PC

I have a p3 500MHz PC with 128MB RAM, 10.2... Read More

The Help Desk

When you think of a help desk, what do you... Read More

Desktop Security Software Risks - Part 2

This is the third in a series of articles highlighting... Read More

Buying a Personal Computer (PC)

For many people the computer industry is a seeming unsolvable... Read More

Registry Tools Demystified

Not sure what Windows registry is or how it works?... Read More

Uninstall Windows Media Player 10 and Start Enjoying Your Media Again

Windows Media Player 10 has been full of bugs from... Read More