OLEXP: Outlook Express E-mail Signature Line Adds a Gohip.com Tag (255720)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 for Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Outlook Express 5.01 for Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q255720
For information about the differences between Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook e-mail clients, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

257824 OL2000: Differences Between Outlook and Outlook Express

SYMPTOMS

When you send an e-mail message, the following signature tag may be added to the bottom of your e-mail message instead of your default signature:

-------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/

CAUSE

This issue can occur if you have installed the Web browser enhancement component from Gohip.com.

MORE INFORMATION

If you want to remove the GoHip! modifications on your computer, use the instructions posted in the customer service section of the Gohip.com Web site or use the following steps:
  1. Right-click Start, and then click Open.
  2. Double-click the Programs folder, and then double-click the Startup folder.
  3. Right-click Windows Startup, click Delete, and then click Yes to remove the file.
  4. Close all windows and restart the computer.
Your browser may continue to open the GoHip! Web site when you start it. To change your home page from the default GoHip! Web site, follow the steps in the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

252464 How to Change Your Home Page in Internet Explorer

Remove the GoHip! signature and add the signature you want to your e-mail program. If you are using Microsoft Word as your e-mail editor choose the Email.dot file as your standard stationery. To change your stationery, use the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

171245 How to Use Stationery in Outlook Express

For information about removing Gohip.com as your default search engine, see the instructions posted in the customer service section of the Gohip.com Web site:

http://www.gohip.com/customer_service.html

Microsoft provides third-party contact information to help you find technical support. This contact information may change without notice. Microsoft does not guarantee the accuracy of this third-party contact information.
The Gohip.com Web site promotes information and is distributing an ActiveX component that modifies several components on your local computer.

When you install the Gohip.com ActiveX control, you can skip the notice that accompanies the installation and you must agree to the terms before you install. You must scroll through the terms of software acceptance before the component modifies anything on your computer.

If you visit the Gohip.com/freevideo Web site, an automated download file is copied to your computer named Download.exe. This file is the ActiveX component and it modifies certain files on the local computer such as your default signature for Outlook Express. In the Windows Startup folder, a file named Winstartup.exe is created to reinstall the components each time you start Windows.

The third-party products that are discussed in this article are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:6/30/2004
Keywords:kb3rdparty kbenv kbprb KB255720
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.