How Can I Remove A Web Browser HiJacker If It Won't Let Me Use The Internet?

Question

My laptop has become infected with a web browser virus that will not allow me to navigate through the internet. Each time I try visiting a web page it gives me an error message and begins to bring up pop up ads. I've ran a program that I've had on this laptop called superantispyware but it has not been able to delete this virus.

What can I do?

Answer 1

Diificult to tell whether it is a virus, or trojan, or coupled with any spyware installation. You are very lucky in that you can achieve an internet connection and at least SuperAntispyware (very good) was able to run. There are certain viruses and certain security software disabling trojans (rare) - so this was a good sign that security software is working. Number one - get your butt chewed out for the irresponsibility of operating a computer in today's world without paid antivirus, antispyware, and firewall installed and updated running 24/7. Move on, lessons learned (being sarcastic a bit in other words, but true),. As the first person burn the software to a CD and run on yours. I would add to that you can get Webroot Spysweeper / Sophos Antivirus / and Firewall for $40 at a computer store. Spysweeper and Sophos have both won top awards though the firewall in this suite gets knocked around a little on reviews. POP it in and Go - can't loose as a $40 removal and uninstall later if you don't want it.
Have your internet connection on and and double click Install on the CD to My Documents installer package (OR JUST RUN WEBROOT) > Run Update Defintions > Click Full Scan. Still problems ? Restart the PC in Windows Diagnostic Mode - "Safe Mode".... how ?
--- Click > Start (lower left) > Run (on menu) > type in msconfig > OK> Diagnostic Panel pops up > on top tabs Click > BOOT.INI > SAFE MODE > click OK to all windows explaining you are restarting the pc in safe mode. This stops all processes including the malware enabling security software (antivirus. antispyware) to safely Quarantine or Delete them after Full Scans results. Safe Mode is a PC diagnostic mode allowing only basic start up of Windows to perform these actions. You can not access the Internet in Safe Mode. You are not to attempt to start up other programs such as watching a Video or game. This may damage softwares or the Operating System (Windows OS) itself. Do the scans, click Quarantine anything they present to you as malware and restart the computer to Normal Mode. How ? Click > Start > Run > type in msconfig > OK > Diagnostics Panel general tab > click NORMAL > OK.... click Ok to all windows telling you the computer is now rebooting (restarting) into Normal Mode where you are now.
Review all malware you have placed in the Quarantine Folder. For viruses click delete - don't leave them in the Quarantine Folder unless you suspect some major damage to some files that you can attempt to fix by clicking "Clean". If it doesn't do that - too bad the files are corrupted and expensive disaster recovery software or other solutions may retrieve up to 95 percent of the file(s). For spywares - review by name and location and verify that indeed they are not valid known software and then you may click Delete - do not leave them in the Quarantine Folder.

You may want to try the easy way out first if you are feeling lucky. A simple browser hijacker would allow navigation most likely with changing Homepage and Search Assitant Defaults (changes chosen search engine) and may generate many pop ups and redirect your searches and/or browser to differnet sites than you choose to even attempt installing more malware at malicious content websites. Are these your symptoms ? The worst ones can be a little more violent if coulpled with a trojan in attempting navigation... example the browser crashes abruptly, pages may jump up and down a bit, slight loss of mouse cursor control.... If these are not your symptoms it is not a Browser Hijacker. see my web: http://www.bluecollarpc.net/threatsfaq.html

QUICK TRY IF LUCKY:

Install Mozilla Firefox or Mozilla Suite free alternative browsers. Firefox is recommended as it does not allow Active X to run which is valid but misused by trojans and browser hijackers and other spyware installations which only work on Microsoft Internet Explorer. Firefox is no magic bullet to become your new default browser thinking or being told it ends all malware problems and dump Internet Explorer. Microsoft will not allow Windows Updates and many other Services through any alternative browsers and they are newbies or malicious persons that tell you that you should not install any Windows Updates. These are released by the experts - Microsoft - for the life of your computer specifically for and by Windows including Critical Security Updates and enhancements and upgrades and Service Packs for the life of the PC for free and ONLY through Intyernet Explorer. Costs could run in the $100's on a private market patch/fix monthly and are considered unstable.

So with Firefox you should be quite able to now have a working browser to download and install security softwares for removal of the threats. (Note that as I said Firefox has been hit with Java threats and Cross-Over threats involving Internet Explorer and Firefox - so don't listen to people as I said. They don't know or don't want you to know what they are talking about - or other words cyber criminals do not want your PC protected.

You can also install and run the free Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Emergency Download Link (USA English):
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en

Get ANTIVIRUS free home versions - pay version activates real time protection 24/7
AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition [working-freeware]
Download, Information at this website :
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
http://www.grisoft.com/
Avast AntiVirus Home Edition [working-freeware]
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
ClamWin Free Antivirus [Open Source - working freeware]
http://www.clamwin.com/
ClamWin is a Free Antivirus for Microsoft Windows 98/Me/2000/XP and 2003. ClamWin Free Antivirus comes with an easy installer (and open source code). You may download and use it absolutely free of charge. It features: High detection rates for viruses and spyware; Scanning Scheduler; Automatic downloads of regularly updated Virus Database. Standalone virus scanner and right-click menu integration to Microsoft Windows Explorer; Addin to Microsoft Outlook to remove virus-infected attachments automatically. The latest version of Clamwin Free Antivirus is 0.88.2.3 . Please note that ClamWin Free Antivirus does not include an on-access real-time scanner. You need to manually scan a file in order to detect a virus or spyware.
Get ANTISPYWARE
a-squared trojan remover (Free Working Version for life and Proactive Premium Version)
http://www.emsisoft.com/en/software/free/
Microsoft AntiSpyware is now Windows Defender (Real Time protection / free from Microsoft)
[working-freeware from Microsoft]
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

Google Pack includes free home version of Spyware Doctor.

webmaster http://www.bluecollarpc.net/

Answer 2

I use Firefox because of the safety, but I also have Chrome because of it's speed! I also have a browser called TheWorld which is so fast and compact! All three are great!

Answer 3

Hi. Have friend download some of the malware free programs and burn the installation program to CD. Then load them from the CD, preferably from 'Safe mode'. Run them. Good luck!

Answer 4

http://www.stopannoyingpopup.com
Prevents from any unwanted popup ads immediately and automatically.
Block 100% unsolicited popups.
Run quietly in your system tray using very little resources.
Smart pop-up and pop-under control.

Answer 5

Go to http://www.popup-remover.com
I use that program.It works very well.
Block pop-up ads and remove spyware .

Answer 6

use your virus scanner. if you dont have one, get one fast.