After couple of trials i am sure something going on with my laptop. After i search anything in google, bing, yahoo and when i click on any results link it is taking me to some stupid sites. I noticed this with all search engines with multiple browsers on this laptop.
I first noticed few days back but didn't pay much attention but now i am convinced something going on. But i have latest norton antivirus switched on this laptop for quite some time.
Anyone else faced similar issues ... is it a virus on my machine ... any new trend going on? I couldn't get to any norton support today. Appreciate your help.
You have a hijacker on your pc. Your going to get alot of responses telling you to run this and that and then post the log file results so that they can be analyzed. Forget all that and do this it'll work. Are you able to run windows update? I know it's a simple thing but it will help. Run it if you can and download all of the latest updates for your OS.
Download and run Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) instead of Malwarebytes. Here's the direct link to the downlaod page.
alberto3535 said: You have a hijacker on your pc. Your going to get alot of responses telling you to run this and that and then post the log file results so that they can be analyzed. Forget all that and do this it'll work. Are you able to run windows update? I know it's a simple thing but it will help. Run it if you can and download all of the latest updates for your OS.
Download and run Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) instead of Malwarebytes. Here's the direct link to the downlaod page.
alberto3535 said: Download and run Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830) instead of Malwarebytes. Here's the direct link to the downlaod page. If you have Automatic Updates on, odds are you already have the most recent version of the Malicious Software Removal Tool. You can run it at any time by clicking Run on the start menu and typing "mrt"
MRT is a good tool, but it's by no means comprehensive, and can miss stuff, especially since it's only updated once a month.
GeorgeousMe... Good suggestion, but combofix does some interesting things to your pc and if your in a pc novice your will have issuses. Prior to running it you have to install the windows recovery counsel and if he's having trouble with search's odds are he's having trouble with other things, but i could be wrong. Also, for some dumb reason most pc's that have automatic updates enabled downloud the updates but way for you to initiate the install and lets face it most of us ignore that littel yellow shield next to the clock.
Wow, lots of what I would consider 'bad advice' so far. To each their own, I guess...
As for Windows' Malicious Software Removal tool, it's a good tool, but by no means a cure-all. As a previous poster mentioned, it's only updated monthly and lots of new viruses and malware can be introduced over the course of a month before the next version of the tool is released.
As for copying and pasting your search engine results instead of clicking on them, I guess you could try that, but all your doing is ignoring the problem instead of fixing it.
Obviously, you likely have a virus or some sort of malware. You need to scan and get rid of it. But first and foremost, you should make sure your data is backed up.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is an excellent freeware tool. Spybot Search & Destroy is another excellent free tool. Between the two of these, assuming you can update the definitions, you should be able to find and remove all but the nastiest malware.
Most virus programs are sufficient, so go ahead and stick with Norton if that's what you already have but make sure you update the definitions and then do a complete scan of your system.
Do your scans in safe mode in order to increase your chances of success. After doing so, if you're still having problems, post back and we'll help you futher. You may have to use a boot CD or possibly turn to the guys at HiJackThis and post a log for them to analyze. We won't know until you take the steps above and report back.
ChinaRider said: Wow, lots of what I would consider 'bad advice' so far. To each their own, I guess...
As for Windows' Malicious Software Removal tool, it's a good tool, but by no means a cure-all. As a previous poster mentioned, it's only updated monthly and lots of new viruses and malware can be introduced over the course of a month before the next version of the tool is released.
As for copying and pasting your search engine results instead of clicking on them, I guess you could try that, but all your doing is ignoring the problem instead of fixing it.
Obviously, you likely have a virus or some sort of malware. You need to scan and get rid of it. But first and foremost, you should make sure your data is backed up.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is an excellent freeware tool. Spybot Search & Destroy is another excellent free tool. Between the two of these, assuming you can update the definitions, you should be able to find and remove all but the nastiest malware.
Most virus programs are sufficient, so go ahead and stick with Norton if that's what you already have but make sure you update the definitions and then do a complete scan of your system.
Do your scans in safe mode in order to increase your chances of success. After doing so, if you're still having problems, post back and we'll help you futher. You may have to use a boot CD or possibly turn to the guys at HiJackThis and post a log for them to analyze. We won't know until you take the steps above and report back. great and thank you very much for the advise. I tried a full scan by norton and Windows MSR but both came clean. I also tried ad-aware but no hits.
Will try spybot and malwarebytes. My Norton live update is on all the time and i always thought that should do to be up to date. 1) Did you mean i start windows in safe mode to run the virus scan? How do i boot in safe mode? 2) update the definitions --> i assume you meant live update is on and i got the latest s/w
va1234 said: 1) Did you mean i start windows in safe mode to run the virus scan? How do i boot in safe mode? Press F8 repeatedly as your PC boots, it will bring up a boot selection menu for Windows: http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm
2) update the definitions --> i assume you meant live update is on and i got the latest s/w Live Update should be grabbing the latest definitions, but you may want to go into Norton and check the date of the definitions its using, just to be sure. Also, both Malwarebytes and Spybot will need updates after you install/start them.
android2007
Happy Member
posted: Oct. 26, 2009 @ 8:32p
If your PC has taken quite a hit with malware,viruses,trojans and if you frequent "stupid sites" as you put it. Format the computer and install Ubuntu (http://www.ubuntu.com) or some linux dist! No viruses no spyware crap nothing!
With LINUX ---
You can: 1. Screw any # of hoes,strippers,call girls, escorts, nudists, republicans like sarah palin without wearing a rubber !! 2.Its FREE 3.Learn to hate Microsoft 4.Make love to a penguin haha
ChinaRider said: Wow, lots of what I would consider 'bad advice' so far. To each their own, I guess...
I got it & dealt with it as has another user. We know what it is & what to do.
Also, found another website later which gave me that same System Tools popup, I turned the computer off rather than clicking on anything to close it & it didn't get to install. Perfect. ha
I would recommend that you backup all your data, format your drive and reinstall windows. This may seem a little excessive, but its better to be on the safe side. Oh and do scan your backed up data thoroughly before you restore it.
aliasgar said: I would recommend that you backup all your data, format your drive and reinstall windows. This may seem a little excessive, but its better to be on the safe side. Oh and do scan your backed up data thoroughly before you restore it.
Thank you for the suggestion. Even after the malware try i am still facing the same problem. I might try the reformat route. I have a question though, when you say backup your data, do you suggest any specific procedure.
Usually i backup my files by copying them to my exgternal HDD. But if the system is infected ... wouldn't copying files to HDD carry the virus with it and infect wherever i copy from there?
va1234 said: Usually i backup my files by copying them to my exgternal HDD. But if the system is infected ... wouldn't copying files to HDD carry the virus with it and infect wherever i copy from there?It depends. If your data files are infected, yes. If it is your system files (much more likely) then no. Also keep in mind that once off of your system you will not be booting from that drive which makes virus removal MUCH easier.
va1234 said: aliasgar said: I would recommend that you backup all your data, format your drive and reinstall windows. This may seem a little excessive, but its better to be on the safe side. Oh and do scan your backed up data thoroughly before you restore it.
Thank you for the suggestion. Even after the malware try i am still facing the same problem. I might try the reformat route. I have a question though, when you say backup your data, do you suggest any specific procedure.
Usually i backup my files by copying them to my exgternal HDD. But if the system is infected ... wouldn't copying files to HDD carry the virus with it and infect wherever i copy from there?
OP, are you talking about popups??? If so, do you have a pop up or ad blocker running?
It probably got on your computer by creating a fake proxy server under IE. Be sure to keep IE updated. If you update it, it scans your system for stuff.
You can boot off a linux live cd, to copy all your data to the external hard drive (this minimizes, but does not eliminate, the chance of your hard drive being infected with a virus). You can reinstall windows later on and make sure your windows and your antivirus software are fully updated before you restore your backed up data. I would recommend Avast (its free) as your antivirus, but that's just my personal preference.
alberto3535 said: GeorgeousMe... Good suggestion, but combofix does some interesting things to your pc and if your in a pc novice your will have issuses. Prior to running it you have to install the windows recovery counsel and if he's having trouble with search's odds are he's having trouble with other things, but i could be wrong. Also, for some dumb reason most pc's that have automatic updates enabled downloud the updates but way for you to initiate the install and lets face it most of us ignore that littel yellow shield next to the clock.
You get the option to install the recovery console, but you can decline, then it runs without touching other settings, except removal of viruses it finds.
I think there are two steps right now for the most common attacks
--- system restore and then malwarebytes ---
tipstir
Geeky member
posted: Nov. 16, 2009 @ 1:00p
Download GMER and run that, to really clean up any pest download Norman Malware Cleaner (freeware) It only cleans and removes the best. Once that pest it gone. Download Rising PC Doctor (OS Patcher/Repair Trojan Protection and more) plus Rising Antivirus 2009 International Version (freeware) get that off Cnet downloads.
run combofix: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix\ there is only 2 legit sites to get it from, there is one of them.
Also, whatever advice you go with, be in safe mode before cleaning and disable system restore.
Although others have talked about submitting log files, you can use hijackthis! to clear old browser help objects(BHO) that may be bad. Just be sure to ONLY delete entries that say file missing or you can be sure are not related to software you want/need.
in this order: 1) safe mode 2) turn off system restore 3) combofix 4) malware bytes 5) hijackthis! 6) your favorite virus scanner 7)back to regular mode and turn on sys restore 8)good defrag/reg cleaning
I know some may take issue with the reg cleaning but some of the new virus files im seeing need to have this followup done.
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