Are you running WinXP SP2?

Sounds like some malware has replaced your default start page for Outlook
Express.

Courtesy of MVP Jim Pickering:
quote
Check the setting under this key in the registry:

User Key: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Identities\[GUID for specific
identity]\Software\Microsoft\Outlook Express\5.0]

Value Name: FrontPagePath
Data Type: REG_SZ (String Value)
Value Data: URL or Filename

Windows Registry Guide - Change the Start Page for Outlook Express (All
Versions):
http://www.winguides.com/registry/display.php/874/
/quote

But you may have more sleuthing to do if you're unable to access your
messages.

Check your system for "hijackware":

Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Run these tools in the following order with nothing else running in
background:

1. CWShredder (fix all found)

2. Ad-Aware (fix all found)

3. Spybot (RTFM but generally fix everything in red)

Important: You *must* seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each
and every use, even "right out of the box". But even they can't catch
everything, 24/7. When all else fails, HijackThis
(http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe) is the preferred
tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ or
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**

[Alternate download pages for many of the above tools may be found at
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]

Also:

1. Download and run Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/); then...

2. Update your virus definitions, enable Show Hidden Files
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...02092715262339)
and then run a full system scan in Safe Mode
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...01052409420406)
with nothing else running in background. Note the files identified and
removed then find the corresponding page for the file at your AV maker's
online support pages (e.g.,
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...favorites.html)
and follow all Removal steps.

WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
Restore Point then Disk Cleanup More options Delete all but the most
recent Restore Point.

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

Are You Ready for WinXP SP2?
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx

WinXP SP2 Release Notes
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;835935

AumHa Forums
http://forum.aumha.org

wrote:
hi,

i've logged on to my outlook express today, but the front
mail page that is normally there has disappeared and is
now in place by a kind of web page. I am unable to access
my messages and i wondered if anyone knew how to return
the outlook page back to normal.