How do I get rid of this browser hijacker?

Question

Every few times I try to go to a new site, the browser has started (seemingly) randomly going to other pages, often random google or ebay searches, other times other search engines, usually with results for a search that has nothing to do with what I was doing. Sometimes the page that opens tells me that my computer is infected and I have to buy anti-spyware, I believe that the people who make this anti spyware also made the spyware that directed me to their page. I run spybot search and destroy and it isn't picking up anything that it doesn't get rid of or that meets this description.

Answer 1

go to microsoft site.
http://safety.live.com

Answer 2

Use the scans below. Since you already used spybot, skip it and use the other 2. You may have to use these scans in safe mode to remove it. Spybot should have removed it.

All of these are ones that I personally use and all are free.

AVG Removes I-Worm/Stration · BackDoor.Generic3.GBB and .GBC · Worm/Generic.FX · Exploit.WMF
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/5390/lng/us/tpl/v5

Spybot - Search & Destroy detects and removes spyware, a relatively new kind of threat not yet covered by common anti-virus applications. Spyware silently tracks your surfing behaviour to create a marketing profile for you that is transmitted without your knowledge to the compilers and sold to advertising companies. If you see new toolbars in your Internet Explorer that you haven't intentionally installed, if your browser crashes inexplicably, or if your home page has been "hijacked" (or changed without your knowledge), your computer is most probably infected with spyware. Even if you don't see the symptoms, your computer may be infected, because more and more spyware is emerging. Spybot-S&D is free, so there's no harm giving it a try to see if something has invaded your computer.
http://www.safer-networking.org/

http://superantispyware.com/
SUPERAntiSpyware is the most thorough scanner on the market. Our Multi-Dimensional Scanning and Process Interrogation Technology will detect spyware that other products miss! SUPERAntiSpyware will remove ALL the Spyware, NOT just the easy ones!
Easily remove over 100,000 pests such as SmitFraud, Vundo, WinFixer, SpyAxe, SpyFalcon, WinAntiVirus, AntiVermins and thousands more!
Make sure after you download any of these, that you update them.


This is how to use safe mode.
For Windows XP

If the computer is running it is best to shut down Windows and then turn off the power.

Begin by first clicking on the Start Button and then click on Turn Off Computer.

Now click on the Turn Off red colored icon to shut down your computer system.

It is best to wait between 15 to 30 seconds before you turn your system back on.

Turn on your computer and start tapping the F8 key on your keyboard.

Some Computers may display a keyboard error message if you begin tapping F8 too quickly.

Restart your computer again and begin tapping the F8 key a brief second or two later.

When the Windows Advanced Options Menu appears, Choose the Safe Mode option and hit Enter.

Windows will now boot your computer up in Safe Mode.



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Answer 3

You can immediatly fix the problem by using Firefox

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

But in the mean time, you will still have to get that crap off your Computer

Follow these steps

1. Do not download anti-spyware programs blindly, they might be spyware themselves. Check this list to no which programs to trust:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm

2. Download the following (if you don’t have them already) and then UPDATE them. After they are updated, restart your PC while tapping the “F8” key – this will start your PC in “safe mode”. When your computer is in safe mode scan with all these programs and then trash what ever they find.


Windows Defender
http://www.download.com/Microsoft-Windows-Defender/3000-12771_4-10598014.html?tag=lst-0-1

Superantispyware
http://www.download.com/SUPERAntiSpyware-Free-Edition/3000-8022_4-10597413.html?tag=lst-0-1

Ad-Aware
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1

AVG Anti-spyware (free for 30 days)
http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

3. Stay away from porn, gambling sites, myspace and other risky sites.