A couple of weeks ago I started having problems with my Internet searches, IE, getting redirected?

Question

Doesnt matter if I use google or yahoo. The search page comes up ,and if I click on any of the links I get redirected. I have to go back and reclick to get to where I am supposed to go. I did a viris scan with norton, and mcafee with no results.

Anyone have a sugestion on how to get rid of this problem?

Answer 1

If trying to fix Explorer resolves into a headake, then just use Firefox, no need to uninstall Explorer.

You can get it from here:

http://www.sleekbytes.com/picasa-google.htm

chances are you'll never go back to IE.

also get http://www.opera.com

and you will have two very good browsers.

hope it helps

Answer 2

I agree with the other posts on here in that you have likely got adware or malware on your system. I would recommend you do a Google Search for Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy, which are the two industry leaders for anti-spyware and anti adware. I won't provide links because I don't want anyone to click on a link on this that may end up also hacked and misdirecting you to a trojan site. You should run BOTH tools to clean your system and keep it maintained. This is in ADDITION to running anti-virus tools. Run both because one tool will find things the other one won't, and vice versa. In addition, and as a start, you can install and run the Yahoo Toolbar and turn on the Spyware scanner tool built into it and run it. If you do that before you do the other two steps it may help catch and prevent even more problems. Also, don't forget to use the Spybot Search & Destroy's "Immunize" feature. It'll help keep your system from catching known trojan programs. It's updated regularly, so keep your signature files for anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-adware all updated regularly to avoid problems. Best of luck!

Answer 3

It's spyware. Programs like Spybot and LavaSoft's AdAware may help, although you may need to determine exactly what program is running in the background redirecting your searches and google a specific cure. I've had this happen to me, and it can be a nightmare. You may get an even better answer if you ask the question again and name the site to which your searches are being redirected.

Answer 4

Try a spyware scan instead.

Answer 5

You are infected with adware/spyware.



Securing a Personal Machine

http://safecomputing.umn.edu/studentchecklist.html



OS Reinstallation vs. Virus Removal

http://safecomputing.umn.edu/guides/rebuild_repair.html



If you follow all the following steps it should get rid of your problem and prevent future problems. All programs listed are free.

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Update your Full Time (Active) antivirus and run a full scan.



If you do not have active virus protection, install only one. All are excellent.



AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition

http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5

http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10669237.html?tag=lst-0-1

or

Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

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Update your Full Time (Active) spyware protection and run a full scan. If you do not have active spyware protection, install:



Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

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Install the following four programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all four. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection. They will greatly increase your protection. Install and run now.



Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php



Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)

Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper

After installation: update + scan + immunize

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html



SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html



SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)

http://www.superantispyware.com/

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Install:



CCleaner:

http://www.ccleaner.com/

Do not install optional toolbar.

Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history

In options.

Set to run when computer starts.

Place cookies you want to keep in save list

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Install either one not both:



McAfee Site Advisor: Internet Explorer and Firefox

http://www.siteadvisor.com/

McAfee SiteAdvisor helps protect you from all kinds of Web-based security threats including spyware, adware, spam, viruses, browser exploits, and online scams.



TrendProtect™

http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/free_security_tools/trendprotect.php

TrendProtect is a FREE browser plug-in that helps you avoid Web pages with unwanted content and hidden threats.

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Note if a scan detects a problem but is unable to remove, start the computer in safe mode with the internet line disconnected and run a full scan.



In severe cases your system restore files will also be infected. In these cases you will need to turn off system restore to prevent malware hiding in the system restore files and reinfecting the computer during removal or during a future system restore. Turning off system restore deletes the system restore files.



Right click on "my computer"> Properties > System Restore Tab > Check box turn of system restore



After the malware is removed turn on system restore.

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Run this time only:



CWShredder: run

http://www.trendmicro.com/cwshredder/

Roguefix.bat

http://www.internetinspiration.co.uk/roguefix.htm

Shoot The Messenger

http://www.grc.com/stm/shootthemessenger.htm

SmitFraudFix

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How_to_use_SmitFraudFix-t109268.html

Vundo Fix and

VirtumundoBegone (if VundoFix does not work)

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic18610.html

VX2 tool for Ad-Aware and run tool (Install and run)

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/securitycenter/vx2_cleaner.php

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Run this time and monthly:



Microsoft Update:

Run in "Custom Mode". Install everything, reboot and repeat until nothing is left to install.

http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/default.aspx?ln=en-us



Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”

Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm



Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)

http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

------------------------------

Rootkit Removers

Pick any 2 install and run one each month.



AVG Anti-Rootkit

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/products-avg-anti-rootkit-update-app-art/?ver=1.1.0.29

F-Secure BlackLight

http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

Panda Anti-Rootkit

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/antirootkit/

Sophos Anti-Rootkit

http://www.sophos.com/products/free-tools/sophos-anti-rootkit.html

------------------------------

Online Free Scanners:

Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.

Run a different one each month.



Avast! Online Scanner

http://onlinescan.avast.com/

BitDefender Online Scanner

http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html

CA eTrust® PestScan

http://pestpatrol.com/pestscan/index.htm

eTrust Antivirus Web Scanner

http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx

F-Secure Online Virus Scanner

http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

Kaspersky - Free Online Virus Scan

http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

McAfee - Free Scan

http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs

Panda Software - ActiveScan

http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/activescan/ascan_2.asp

Symantec (norton) - Security Check

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp

Trend Micro™ HouseCall

http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp

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Additional Information:

http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-updated-important-read-before-posting-log.html

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview

http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Prevention:_Prevent_Re-infection

http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

http://aumha.org/secure.htm

http://aumha.org/a/parasite.php

http://www.castlecops.com/t102301-Hijackthis_Guidelines_Read_Before_Posting.html

http://forum.aumha.org/viewtopic.php?t=4075&sid=901703d08c2ace31389ffef2d84b6607