removing browser hijackers?

Question

I have used various spyware software to rid the hijacker but it is still there especially when using search engines it redirects the web page

Answer 1

Try the following (if you haven't already), they are all free:

Spyware Tools:
http://www.lavasoft.nu/software/adaware/ad-aware_se_personal.php
http://www.safer-networking.org
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsdefender
http://www.merijn.org/programs.php

Cleanup:
http://www.ccleaner.com

Answer 2

browser hijacks cannot be fixed by just going into internet options and resetting the home page,the homepage would have been locked by the spyware which has come in the form of a program you installed yourself
this is the trick with spyware,you download a program,but with that program comes a extra program that does no end of harm to your p.c
unless you read the e.u.l.a(end user license aggrement)which is in the set up part of a program,you can be installing the actual spyware that has hijacked your homepage,some programs actually say they are going to change your home page ,but as we dont allways read the e.u.l.a we miss this info
so the first thing you should do is go to add/remove programs and look for any programs that are unusual or that you havent installed,when you find these remove them
next you should run the anti-spyware programs you have(spybot and adaware)and remove or fix any items found
depending on the spyware found you should now be able to reset your homepage,however if you have a high threat spyware such as coolwebsearch or spyaxe you may need a better tool
spyware doctor(http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/)and sunbelt counterspy(http://www.sunbelt-software.com/)are the best anti-spy programs avalible but they do not come free,but they are used as a trial program to remove stubborn spyware as it wont take 15 days to fix your problem
for good protection spybot(http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html)has a imunization feature which stops spyware infecting your p.c in the first place,it does this by creating dummy registry entries thus fooling the actual spyware
spybot together with adaware personal makes a excellent free combination of spyware tools
good luck

Answer 3

It seems that your browser home page has been changed by a trojan while you were browsing. The removal process is complicated.

Prerequisites:
If you can change the home from internet options then try it, otherwise it could be a case of a trojan/virus. You need to identify the name of the virus/trojan before you can eliminate it.
See that you have installed and updated an antivirus and an antispyware software. If not, get one now
http://yanswers.blogspot.com/2006/10/essential-free-internet-security.html

Download and run free registry cleaner and scrap cleaner softwares
http://bestofrest.blogspot.com/2006/11/regscrubxp-registry-cleaner.html

http://bestofrest.blogspot.com/2006/11/ccleaner.html

To secure yourself follow the steps below
1) Disable system restore if you are usign winME/XP
Click on start > all programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore
Click on System Restore settings.
Check the box to Turn off system restore on all drives.
press apply. press ok.

2)Boot in safe mode, by pressing F8 during booting of computer, if it doesn't get in safe mode read this

http://yanswers.blogspot.com/2006/10/boot-in-safe-mode-in-windows-xp-laptop.html

3) Run the antivirus and antispyware scans while in safe mode. Note down the name of the virus/spyware when detected.

4) search using google for manual removal instructions of the detected virus/trojan/worm. Copy the instructions on the hard disk, and follow the instructions.

Answer 4

You first try to carryout system restore to a day previous to the day when there was no virus or any problems. It may be a few weeks or months back. You have to decide the date. Detailed instructions are posted at http://fixit.in/systemrestore.html The problem will be solved. Then,You insatll a standard antivirus soft ware such as Norton, AVG , Avast ( free antivirus software and Ad-aware, Ewido ( free spyware removers). You can download free softwares at
http://fixit.in/antivirus.html and http://fixit.in/spywareremover.html
After running the virus scan delete all temprory internet files including off line content and also unwanted files and temp. files. Finally, carryout a defragmentation . Your system will be back to the normal...!

Answer 5

Download these free tools:

http://www.helpero.com/Questions-and-answers/Computers/Software/Are-there-any-good-FREE-spyware-programs_291.html

http://www.helpero.com/Questions-and-answers/Computers/Software/Can-you-recommend-me-a-free-antivirus_2568.html

For more information about computer related problems, Internet and others you should go to this link: http://www.helpero.com .

Helpero has a very large database with information and answers to daily problems about computers. If you don't find your answer in the database you could ask the specialists for FREE.

Answer 6

Try running the software in Safe Mode.
When you get your system clean, install the programs listed which prevent browser hijacks.

And try using TweakUI to repair your hosts file, get it from the official Microsoft site.
Before attempting to remove malware you must switch off System Restore as back up files will be hiding in there, and it will just restore itself. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - system restore.
Run your anti virus and anti spyware in Safe Mode. To get into Safe Mode repeatedly press the F8 key after the bios screen loads but before Windows loads. You'll know if you made it because the screen will be at 800 x 600 and your pc will be slow.

Then beef up your security. Its easier to prevent malware getting on to your sytem in the first place rather than trying to remove it. All the following programs are free for personal use;

You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall OR
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo security suite.

You need to install one anti virus;
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ -AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware

And these are useful utilities;
Shields Up security site;
https://www.grc.com - check your firewall works
http://www.grc.com/optout.htm - grc anti spyware program and info.

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser and Thunderbird e-mail program.
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -MacAffee Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.
http://www.sys-shield.com - AbsoluteShield File Shredder
http://www.mailwasher.net/ -spam filter
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Antivirus/Lavasoft-ARIES-Rootkit-Remover.shtml - Aries Rootkit remover.
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Main/view/Download-Free-Products.html - Bitdefender doesn't run in the background and can be used as a second back up anti virus.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

Answer 7

if you hadn't diabled your firewall to view porn or do some other crazy thing you wouldn't have gotten a browser hijacker. :)

Answer 8

Get HijackThis. Delete any entries that are causing problems.

But be careful, if you delete anything that you shouldn't...you might have some problems, thats all.