"Windows Updates" site freezing my browser 2

[Dimandja]

I just got my PC loaded with an Image of another PC.

We changed the computer name, logon IDs, IP address (for our LAN), etc.

Everything seems to work fine. I can access Internet unmolested; but, trying to access the Microsoft "Windows Updates" site freezes the browser. When that happens, I must use the Task Manager to kill the frozen browser session (IE).

I am using a Windows XP Pro Version 2002 Service Pack 2.

What could the problem be?

 

[DrJavaJoe]

Some things I might try.
Make sure you are logged in as admin.
Check the WindowsUpdate.log in the windows folder for clues.
Delete temporary internet files.
Try running this and see if it gives you a clue.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer V1.2.1




Two strings walk into a bar. The first string says to the bartender: 'Bartender, I'll have a beer. u.5n$x5t?*&4ru!2[sACC~ErJ'. The second string says: 'Pardon my friend, he isn't NULL terminated'.

 

[Dimandja]

Thanks DrJavaJoe for the suggestion. The word "Internet" jogged something in my head. The problem was Internet related, and specifically targeting one site (that I know of): "MicroSoft Windows Updates".

I looked into C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts, and, to my horror there was a line, obviously rogue, somehow inserted into that file. The line entry was diverting all verisign.com Internet traffic to a pirate IP address (I'll get the accurate wording of the line when I get back to work tommorow), to a rogue site.

Commenting out the offending line, fixed the problem.

 

[Dimandja]

This is the line I removed in order to get control back:

216.93.168.167 sitefinder.verisign.com

That IP address belongs to a rogue site, I'm told.

 

[johnherman]

I had the same problem last night - thanks for the advice.

-------------------------
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man. - George Bernard Shaw