Held Captive by bonstio
February 15, 2008 8:40 PM Subscribe
Custom iGoogle Skins by the poorly administered BonstioNet, has taken over my google home page, and like a horrific nightmare it won't go away. Help!
I could desert the whole thing and start a new page, but I have hundreds of links under a half dozen tabs that took me years to build.
I installed the (non) google gadget long, long ago. There was an update to version 2.0 and I dutifully installed it.
Now I can't access any of my tabs except the home page, I can't change themes (and am stuck with a pedo bear type one) and my emails remain unanswered.
I've waited months hoping for a fix, none is forthcoming nor is there any indication one ever will.
bonstio himself seems bemused by the widespread and serious problem.
as one poster to a thread said:
"@#&*! Anonymous - Jan 13, 2008 - Report this comment
I tried this out but couldn't get it to do anything, so I tried the other version further down the list that is given if you search skins. Looks like the same thing to me. I was able to see the skins available and tried to set up the "TECH GAMING" skin. it would not stay up after I saved it and signed out. clicking on the title of this gadget bought me to a white screen with no info and now I am getting an error message in my Firefox browser about "UrchinTracker". I ran scans with McAFEE, SuperantiSpyware, Spyware Blaster and ATF Cleaner to no avail and can't find the UrchinTracker in a Highjackthis log. I am Not A Happy Camper!!! Fix This Problem! Everyone Beware!!!"
At this point i just want to remove it. I have tried many suggestions, including reinstalling, trying to remove in IE and Opera (I use FireFox and Vista). I have checked all the monkey scripts. I have un-installed mebo, I have tried safe mode, I have cleared cookies, I have upgraded FF, I have perused the message boards and tried everything except just starting from scratch, I have all but made burnt offerings to the Lord.
Certainly I've omitted some pertinent info, but I should be around another hour or so, and then again tomorrow afternoon.
I'm not a geek or tech savvy, so if you can help, pls be gentle.
I could desert the whole thing and start a new page, but I have hundreds of links under a half dozen tabs that took me years to build.
I installed the (non) google gadget long, long ago. There was an update to version 2.0 and I dutifully installed it.
Now I can't access any of my tabs except the home page, I can't change themes (and am stuck with a pedo bear type one) and my emails remain unanswered.
I've waited months hoping for a fix, none is forthcoming nor is there any indication one ever will.
bonstio himself seems bemused by the widespread and serious problem.
as one poster to a thread said:
"@#&*! Anonymous - Jan 13, 2008 - Report this comment
I tried this out but couldn't get it to do anything, so I tried the other version further down the list that is given if you search skins. Looks like the same thing to me. I was able to see the skins available and tried to set up the "TECH GAMING" skin. it would not stay up after I saved it and signed out. clicking on the title of this gadget bought me to a white screen with no info and now I am getting an error message in my Firefox browser about "UrchinTracker". I ran scans with McAFEE, SuperantiSpyware, Spyware Blaster and ATF Cleaner to no avail and can't find the UrchinTracker in a Highjackthis log. I am Not A Happy Camper!!! Fix This Problem! Everyone Beware!!!"
At this point i just want to remove it. I have tried many suggestions, including reinstalling, trying to remove in IE and Opera (I use FireFox and Vista). I have checked all the monkey scripts. I have un-installed mebo, I have tried safe mode, I have cleared cookies, I have upgraded FF, I have perused the message boards and tried everything except just starting from scratch, I have all but made burnt offerings to the Lord.
Certainly I've omitted some pertinent info, but I should be around another hour or so, and then again tomorrow afternoon.
I'm not a geek or tech savvy, so if you can help, pls be gentle.
This post was deleted for the following reason: poster's request. -- jessamyn
Response by poster: thanks much rhizome, I've tried with Adblock enabled and disabled and in desperation, even uninstalled. No dice. I really wonder if there is an answer. This thing is insidious. Will simply not uninstall or disable, though it's supposed to. And zero support.
posted by dawson at 10:05 PM on February 15, 2008
posted by dawson at 10:05 PM on February 15, 2008
Urchintracker is the name of googles webstatistics package JS file. It's not a trojan or spyware.
posted by petethered at 10:12 PM on February 15, 2008
posted by petethered at 10:12 PM on February 15, 2008
Response by poster: Thanks petethered, that's reassuring at least.
posted by dawson at 10:41 PM on February 15, 2008
posted by dawson at 10:41 PM on February 15, 2008
Best answer: Have you tried both his email addresses?
posted by juv3nal at 3:58 AM on February 16, 2008
posted by juv3nal at 3:58 AM on February 16, 2008
Response by poster: thanks juv3nal, I have not tried the gmail address, will do so soon and 'report back'.
posted by dawson at 4:04 PM on February 16, 2008
posted by dawson at 4:04 PM on February 16, 2008
Response by poster: As Greg at bonstio has contacted me and offered all kinds of help, and as this post unintentionally, from my perspective, ended up as the number 3 result when searching for bonstio and this would have an undeserved and negative impact on a mans income I am requesting that this post be removed.
anyone interested is welcome to contact me via mefi mail.
posted by dawson at 10:50 AM on February 17, 2008
anyone interested is welcome to contact me via mefi mail.
posted by dawson at 10:50 AM on February 17, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rhizome at 9:54 PM on February 15, 2008