Help!! Trouble with internet being hijacked!!?

Question

PLEASE help me out someone...

Basically if I select some websites (usually from favourites/ bookmarks) I get hijacked to other completely unrelated ones. At the bottom left of my screen it'll announce briefly that I'm connecting to the site I've asked for, and then in a second it'll say it's downloading information from another site and load a different page.

I've scanned the system several times with Avast! and AVG but bad nothing shows up.

I've also switched from Internet Explorer to Firefox, but the same thing started happening within a couple of weeks.

Is there anything you can recommend to flush out whatever it is that's doing the hijacking and leave my browser in peace?

Simple explanations greatly received!

Cheers all.

Answer 1

Try running an anti spyware in Safe Mode, then using TweakUI from the Microsoft site to re-install your Hosts file by using the Repair Internet Explorer button.
Also, here's some software that will prevent browser hijacks in future;


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.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser and Thunderbird e-mail program.
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.

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

Answer 2

To clean a browser hijacker, go to download.com and grab Spybot Search & Destory, and Ad-Aware SE personal edition.

Install and run them both- then you should be able to reset your home page and have it stay.

Definitely install anti-virus software if you haven't already, and stop visiting the silly porn sites that infect your computer with the hijacker program every time :)

Answer 3

If you're not using your computer for anything that expressly requires a microsoft operating system, look into changing to Linux. With a properly setup Linux computer, it is unlikely to be hijacked from rogue sites, NOTHING happens without your permission.

Answer 4

Sounds like Dragoness has been reading too many Pern books- it's McAfee (the anti-virus)!! McAffrey is the author, lol...

Try Spybot, it cleans most browser hijacks.

Answer 5

The previous post from Sarah C has all the answers and even though it looks long winded, it will cure the problem, speed up your connection and keep you safer in future.

You can also use Spybot to check your hosts file, and to remove unwanted entries.

Answer 6

if you have a major internet provider they should have a free anti-virus software for their customers - get it and use it. At the same time they should have a spyware removal tool bundeled.

also you can try Ad-Aware, its free and a great spyware removal tool

good luck

Answer 7

McCaffrey has been quite helpful to me. Or do you have a friend that can reconfigure your hard drive? If it comes to that, don't pay too much for reconfiguring the drive. Please, it actually doesn't take that long, and it's not that hard, so don't get ripped off.

Answer 8

You have spyware...use the following programs, 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 9

Try Ad-aware. They have a free version.

Answer 10

try doing this scan
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm