MSN Homepage appears at bootup

Sorry if I previously asked.

Do you have any VPN software or the need to gain access to a network to use it. Like DSL from a phone company (pppoe)

Have you ever try to by-pass the need to enter a password.

Has this computer ever been used for work with special sign in software.

SSO is likely Single Sign on - the idea being you sign into one thing and you get granted access to things that normally need their own sign on.

When you disable is there anything you notice doesn't work?

Maybe it is time to used Process Explorer from SysInternal to see if it will tell you what app or program spawned the process.


Ken

VPN = Virtual Private Network - basically it provides encryption on network. Some people call it a tunnel. Even your ISP can't tell what you are doing.

DSL and PPPoe is something phone companies use to provide service.

How do you get internet, phone wires, cables, satellite, cellular?

You are not really installing these products, yes they take up a little space. You didn't see the full on Windows install. You download and run. They aren't even listed in Apps. These are what they would call portable. Place them on a USB key and run.

How did you by pass the login password?

Can you screen shot that. Mine is only when I've been away.

Do you have software that validates you on phone network?

This article suggests it is a by-product of a third party software.

pnidui.dll - What is pnidui.dll?

You said disabling got rid of web page and I took from the way you described it that everything still works. I think you are at the point where you leave it disable or see if their is a parent process.

Okay.

You would know if you had to take some steps to get on phone network.

Will be interesting to see if anything doesn't work.

Matt316 said:

Hi,

For several days now I have had the MSN homepage pop up every time I boot up. It appears to be initiated by a call to open the page MSN | Outlook, Office, Skype, Bing, Breaking News, and Latest Videos . MSN is not my home page and I don't want to see it. How can I stop it opening? I haven't had any updates (due mainly to the fact that, currently, my computer is unable to receive them).

There is an old thread here which suggests an answer using Malwarebytes AdwCleaner. This and other efforts have been taken, but no luck.

Matt

Yes, this is an old thread and as stated by the OP, FreeBooter had in redirect to msftconnecttest.com/redirect in startup suggested AdwCleaner. Today I have posted my findings in that thread.

Inasmuch as anyone searching for a resolution for this problem may also land on this thread, I decided to repeat my findings here too.

Well, for over eight months now since I got this Dell Inspiron 3280 -AIO , many times when I try connecting to internet through my Wi-fi Dongle, I was getting redirected to bosch.com website. I never bothered till yesterday, when I decided to research into it. I watched closely and it was msftconnecttest.com/redirect that was landing me on to bosch. com. What is that msftconnect.com/redirect? Here is one poster elsewhere replying to a query on it. "I cant provide any insight as to the cause of the issue, but Msfconnecttest.com is a Microsoft domain.I know this now as i accidently blocked it and took down the internet for my organisation....''

Then go on to this. ​Should I block http://www.msftncsi.com/ncsi.txt on my Barracuda Product? | Barracuda Campus

"While it may seem like a piece of malware, it is actually a component of Microsoft Windows. This url is queried by Windows to determine if thecomputer is connected to the Internet."

It goes on to take you to official Microsoft document on it https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/pre...ectedfrom=MSDN

OK, it has been there since Windows Vista. Salient point: If you set a registry key to prevent NCSI ( Network Connection Status Icon ) from connecting to http://msftconnecttest.com/redirect , applications that perform checks for the existence of Internet connectivity might work more slowly. Also, if a computer running Windows 10 is brought into a hot spot that requires sign-in, the computer might not detect the hot spot.

What have I got to do with bosch.com?????? And why that Privacy settings popup inside this popup - the unsolicited website????????



Resolution: If it happens and it takes you to MSN website or anyother website ( like Bosch.com in my case) be aware that Windows 10 has satisfied itself that you have an active internet connection. Just close that website and proceed with your browsing.

A related event:

Many a times even as my PC is connected to the internet and I am browsing as usual. Windows will suddenly report "No Internet connection". My only thought: Windows 10 must be mad .

Just came across this which says it is normal and as a result of this Internet Active Probing by Windows.

Cause	Functions as designed The above behavior is normal and is expected due to Internet Active Probing being enabled. This may occur during laptop reboots/ restarts/ wakes from sleep mode/ undocks. Internet Active Probing is a Windows feature that executes on the computer to check for an active internet connection.

Resolution: "the users should browse Internet Explorer or/and click on the notification in Action Center. This completes the Active Probing process. Give it 30 seconds or so and the "yellow informational symbol" will go away."

GTACKnowledge - Windows 10 Machine Connects to Internet but Reports "No Internet Connection"

So then leave it as it is and put up with it as I had for the last eight months .. You will be doing more harm blocking it.