How do I get rid of a homepage hijacker virus. It does not allow me to change the default hompage address.?

Question

When I change the default and reboot it changes it back to the unwanted webpage. I have run Yahoo syaware and McAfee viruscan. Viriscan did not find anything. Yahoo syeware found spyware but after deleting and rebooting the same spyware was found again by yahoo spyware. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I had this problem and I had to use my recovory cd's that came with my computer to restore the whole operating system! Be sure to back up any important files!!!!

Answer 2

You have to disable your restore points.
Second then run your scans in safemode with networking after you delete all cookies, and online/offline files in Internet explorer - Tools. Additionally a comand Netsh Winsock reset can be ran from Start - Run - then click ok or hit enter. This only works Windows XP PRO and Media Center. Carefull with the winsock reset command it will harm some firewalls. With all this aside a quick disable of the firewall and the command abouve is the quickest way to resolve the issue. Beware you may have to reinstall some programs if you do that. Thats why Safemode with networking is a safe way to go because no programs loaded. Good luck. ewido.net - good online scanner. Always back up your vital data before doing such actions mentioned above. Oh yeah, once all is back to normal re -enable restore points. All of this can be done by right clicking on My Computer and the click on the restore TAB. L8r

Answer 3

It sounds like your computer has been infected by spyware. Yahoo! Anti-Spy has limited ability to remove spyware. In order to remove the spyware you have to use an anti-spyware program with a little more umph. If you don't want to spend money, there are a number of free anti-spyware applications. I recommend : Spybot Search & Destroy, Lavasoft's Ad Aware and Microsoft's Windows Defender. You can find all these programs at http://www.filehippo.com/software/antispyware/

You can safely install all these programs without a problem. In regards to spyware, unlike viruses, you need multiple anti-spyware programs to clean an infection, just make sure to scan one at a time.

PC World has an excellent article comparing the different anti-spyware programs.(http://www.pcworld.com/resource/printable/article/0,aid,122496,00.asp) Refer to the test report chart which appears in the middle of the article.

According to their test, Webroot's Spy Sweeper was the most effective for reversing homepage and search page changes with a removal rate of 100% - but it will cost you $30 USD. If you want to stick with the free programs then Lavasoft's Ad Aware is your best bet; it reversed 80% of changes to the homepage and search page.

Spyware is tricky and you can remove it only to find it reappear again after a reboot, which is your situation. The best way to get rid of the spyware is to boot in safe mode and run your anti-spyware applications. Spyware can load on startup but by running in safe mode you don't give it a chance to start. To boot in to safe mode, you usually have to hit the [F8] or some other key. Look at your owner's manual for more detail. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

This is not a virus, but a blatant spyware program. The best way is to purchase Spy Sweeper. from Webroot. I had the same problem till I found this program, and tech support. The tech support is worth the purchase price. ($20 for 1 year)

Answer 5

go to download .com and download these three thing Spybot search&destroy ,Ad-Aware SE personal ,spyware blaster,they are free and they have keep me clean scince i started using them also look for ccleaner can find it filehippo.com it cleans your regestry and alot of the rest of the left over for free you cant beat the price and if they dont work they didnt cost you but your time