Need computer help - anybody know these things?

[LINUS]

Hey -

I somewhere along the line on the internet got a fricking bug that redirects all my Google searches - I don't know how to look for the program that got in my computer, so if any of you tech savvy guys could help me out & give me a few pointers here, I'd appreciate it.

If I 'copy - paste' the true web address into the bar, I'm fine - but if I click the header for the results of a search it redirects me to their crap.

It even shows up in the dropdown of my search as a 'redirect' in between my google search and the address it took me too.

Anybody know what I got going on here - it's finally driving me nuts.

[Jean]

Start with easy stuff first, look for/remove spyware

http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/?ref=google_a&gclid=CNfU04edtI0CFSbehgodihfosA

[george graves]

Let's start at the root cause, sounds like you need a good firewall/antivirus or this will just happen again.

[Eurospec]

What would you recommend as a good firewall/AV?

[LINUS]

Let's start at the root cause, sounds like you need a good firewall/antivirus or this will just happen again.

I've been told my Linksys brand wireless router has firewall in it, but I don't have any sort of anti-virus running.

I'm pretty dumb at the whole computer thing really, so don't think you are talking underneath me at all, I'll actually feel pretty good if I know something you're saying - just so you know where I'm coming from in this.

I'll see what happens running the spyware linked above - hopefully it's something simple.

Like you say though, I want my internet secure enough to be able to do my online banking, etc. - So feel free to make recommendations.

I'm on Comcast cable, if that matters.

[george graves]

There are some guys on this forum that know way more then I do - hopefully they will chime in.

I personally run Symantec Antivirus Corporate Edition.

It would also me helpful to know what operating system you are on? XP? It has a good firewall built in, make sure you turn that on as well.

[aldy54]

Avast software (free) is a kickass antivirus software. Download it and do a full system scan.

[Ryan Stewart]

Actually symantec corp is awesome up to 2003, back then it was just a virus scanner.

I run the AV corp 2003 for virus and Windows Defender + common sense for spyware.

Never had a virus or spyware.

You are correct about the router being a firewall. A firewall didnt cause this, spyware did.

[s0urce]

A firewall/AV won't do shit for Spyware and Adware. Fact of the matter is, 9 times out of 10, you have to choose to install that stuff, or choose NOT to install the stuff when it's defaulted to install with other applications.

If you've got a Linksys Router, have the Firewall enabled and don't setup any PC as a DMZ host. Only forward necessary ports.

In the meantime I suggest the following:

Spybot Search and Destroy:

http://www.safer-networking.org/

Install and run updates, THEN run a scan.

Also, many times you'll find an uninstall utility for various "Search Addons" located in the Add/Remove Programs area of the windows control panel.

[Jscotty]

"Reformat and Reinstall" is the most effective form of virus and spyware protection IMO. It gets rid of EVERY problem you have.

Most anti-virus programs will alert you on "false positives" and they slow your system down because they are constantly scanning the hard drive. So sometimes you are better off going with completely nothing at all. And this is fine if you are the type of internet user that does not venture out into the unknown. Like if all you want to do is go on R3V, check your bank accounts, email, and maybe shop online at walmart, then you have nothing to worry about.

But those of us who like to venture out and search for first run movies and free porn are more likely to be hit with those pop-up windows that you can't get out of. The "Yes" means yes, the "No" means yes, and even the "X" means yes. And you cant get out of the window without clicking on something that causes the spyware to be installed.

The way to get out of this dilemma of the window that won't let you out is to CRTL-ALT-DELETE to the task master and then force the closing of internet explorer.

Also any time I use a search engine (like google) to look for something and I click on a link that ends up taking me to another search engine, I immediately close it and open google again and continue my search. That second search engine is just another spyware trap.

Lastly, ignore those official looking dialogue boxes that say, "WARNING! 74 viruses have been detected on your computer! Click here to fix the problem now!"

[george graves]

I'd also suggest going to http://www.windowsupdate.microsoft.com and let it update you.

Some people will recommend switching to firefox as well.

[LINUS]

Wow -- Thanks for all the responses so far, I really appreciate it. I went ahead and scanned with Jean's linked PC Doc, sure enough - I had a few 'high' priority problems, 3 being related Trojan programs that I bet were the cause, something I'm sure I must have got from one of those bad foreign porn sites.

Anyhow, since I'd been putting up with this for the better part of 2 weeks, I just went ahead an bought the license to fix it - sure enough, problem solved.

George - you've been real helpful too - I should have mentioned I'm on XP Home Ed. I'll run the update from Microsoft, and double check I have their firewall active.

What level do you guys leave it set at for the Security Setting? , and if you all do anything custom, please elaborate - like I said before, I'm not well versed on computers but I know to listen to advice when I hear it.

Also, the whole Firefox thing -- Is it worth it for an average guy like me to make a switch like that? I'm willing to try, but is it more for the 'super techno-savvy' types, and Microsoft is for the others like me who just want their computer to work reliably? If Firefox has clear merits over Microsoft (I'm no fanboy, trust me) - I'd like to hear them.

[george graves]

Firefox makes it SUPER easy, during the install it will import bookmarks, ect.

Then, when you first run it, it will ask you if you want it to be your defult browser. Just say no and don't check the box that says "Don't ask me again".

Give it a spin, and if you don't like it un-install it.

Some people say that the latest version of I.E. is safe as firefox, as long as you keep it updated. Firefox will automatically update it's self, it's a slick little program.

[Jean]

Yes, format/reload is one way, but then again you don't sell and buy a car whenever something happens right ? ;)

Personally I like hardware firewalls over OS based (built into XP for example), a simple cable/dsl router more often than not will have a firewall you can configure. Plus it won't crap out on you along with OS, it runs on it's own and you don't even notice a thing (unless you need to unblock a port that your latest and greatest online game utilizes etc.) On top of that a simple pop up blocker such as google pop up blocker also helps with those pesky pop ups that sometimes would trick you into installing something you don't want. Norton Antivirus Corp or older versions used to be just AntiVirus only, would have no built in tools to detect anything else such as spyware or browser hijackers...noways if you buy a new version of NAV it will have both. Things like Spybot search and destroy, AdAware help find and remove items that possibly already did their damage (however small or big they might be).

Main thing is to try to prevent it from happening in the future just like GG said after my post. Firewall + Nav(with spyware tools) and possibly a pop up blocker and keep an eye on things you lick and you'll be alright.

/repaired too many pcs to remember working in IT since 98.

[M42Technik]

Anytime you download a file, use this program:

http://virusscan.jotti.org/

It runs multiple antivirus scanners for malware and spyware one one file to make sure its clean. Worth it every time you download something, torrents, etc...

Helped me out quite a bit before I picked up a copy of Norton Antivirus Corporate Edition. Try and "pick up" a set if you can, you never have to upgrade to a newer version and it updates itself every hour.