How to remove DSO exploit

Often, spyware programs as Spybot show that a DSO exploit has been found in the Windows Registry. If you have all of your updates, this exploit does not need to be removed as it is no longer a threat. However, if you are running and older version of Windows or just want remove it anyway, proceed to the next section and follow the steps.

Note: The steps below require that you edit the Registry; if you are not comfortable editing the Registry, your only option is to update Windows.

Removing DSO exploit

1. Click on Start in the lower left-hand corner of your screen, or press the Windows key.
2. Type Regedit into the Run or Search box and press Enter.
3. In the Registry editor, open the each of the following folders to find the appropriate key.
   
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\
   Software\
   Microsoft\
   Windows\
   CurrentVersion\
   Internet Settings\
   Zones\
   0\
   
   
4. In the above key, there should be a value of 1004; if this value is not present, click Edit, New, DWORD Value and create the 1004 DWORD value.
5. If 1004 is present, make sure the type is REG_DWORD and not REG_SZ; if it is REG_SZ, delete the 1004 value and create a new 1004 as instructed in step number four.
6. Once the 1004 value has been created, double-click the value, and then enter 3 as the value name.
7. Once the above has been changed, exit out of the Registry Editor and reboot the computer.