I've got a problem with my Internet searches. Doesn't make any differance if I use Firefox, Opera, Google Crome. Every search gets hijacked. I'm using XP Pro. Iv'e ran Spybot search and Malwaresbytes with no luck.
When I try to do a search thru google, bing, or whoever, it will display the sights you could go to. As soon as you click one it gets redirected to a completely different list of search choices.
You are infected, need more info on what you see, should be some common denominator to determine which malware it is.
Then are specific directions for each to remove it. We need to figure out which one it is to help.
So anything in your taskbar, or any info you see being offered would help to determine which bug it is.
Majorgeeks.com and malwareteks.com have the info and tools to help clean your machine. Also some top experts that deal with this stuff all of the time are over there and can help you understand the process and tools results.
You can use all of those programs and more to get rid of a virus, Trojan or what have you but in the end, I believe the best course of action is to format the hard-drive and re-install Windows.
Windows 7 if you can. Of course, you need to have a back-up of all your important data.
Thanks everyone. For now I'm going to use my laptop until I free up some extra time to solve this, I'm going to try Majorgeeks.com and malwareteks.com.
Easiest method is to go back to a restore point before you got infected. Then, install a decent anti-virus on the machine once you have it back. You have a virus that is a browser re-director. They can be a royal PITA to clean.
Easiest method is to go back to a restore point before you got infected. Then, install a decent anti-virus on the machine once you have it back. You have a virus that is a browser re-director. They can be a royal PITA to clean.
Not that easy. That is why there have been white papers written on how to properly remove malware.
My brother was one of them that helped to write the process stated on both malwareteks.com & majorgeeks.com, to remove malware from computers. He does this stuff professionally for emisoft, as a part of their Malware removal team.
Depends on the virus. Like I said before, re-directors tend to tie directly into the browsers. Also, many malware removal programs don't get them. But, restoring the registry removes the pointers and allows the system to boot up without the virus loading into memory and putting a reservation against the file. Then running a virus removal program can find and remove it. Like I said, I do it all the time.
Dude, I really am not trying to win an argument. No offense, just because your brother works in the industry, means nothing for your knowledge. I have removed browser redirectors this way, period. I don't care whether you agree or not. It works.
It has nothing to do with my brother working in the industry, it is that I have been dealing with this stuff since before it became mainstream. That means at least going on 21 years now since computers have been getting infected by people using the Internet, and 15 years dealing with Windows based viri.
I have also dealt with the old Dos based viri, that dates over 30 years ago. So been doing this stuff for a very long time.
So, I have too. I had the original PC. So what.
I also have a degree in Computer Science, am a programmer by trade and do ethical hacking on the side. I know what I am doing around a pc and in the registry.
My last job was to recover a password protected video stream from cameras. The manager forgot the password and the place was robbed. I cracked it and the guy was caught.
OP, give it a try. Like I said, I have had it work many times.
you can clean it an make it usable agian, but it is not worth the time IMO.
I hope you backed up everything you need off that machine, if not start is Safe mode and back up what you need.
Then do a clean fresh install of windows. You will love the new feel. I am not a fan of windows 8, but if you don't have windows 7. you can get windows 8 for 39.99.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
DIY Home Improvement Forum
3.1M posts
319.6K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to Do it yourself-ers and home improvement enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about tools, projects, builds, styles, scales, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Helping You to Do It Yourself!