I recently downloaded Avast antivirus software and deleted five files. Now when I boot up, an error message says: Windows cannot find "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Folders\ibm00003.exe" etc. How can I stop this message appearing? Is the file important? David Sweeney
Probably ibm00003.exe (the number can vary) was part of the W32.Spybot.Worm -- a Trojan used to steal passwords -- so the first thing to do is to change all of yours, especially ones connected with home banking and shopping. The Trojan was set up to load with Windows Explorer, and now you have (correctly) deleted the file, Windows is simply telling you it can't find it. You need to tell Windows to stop looking for it.
Possibly the simplest way is to download HiJackThis. Close Internet Explorer and other applications and run HJT to scan your computer and produce a list of things that are being loaded. Almost all of these will be fine. However, there should be a line that says: F2 - REG:system.ini: Shell=explorer.exe "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Folders\ibm00003.exe". Check this line and click Fix Checked.
Symantec says that W32.Spybot is "a family of worms that spreads using the KaZaA file-sharing network and mIRC" (Internet Relay Chat).
