I was wondering if anyone could help me. Whenever I try searching for something on either Google or Yahoo I end up on the same site. I'm a tad concerned. Say I search for "Cats" and just click one of the links Google comes up with the blue bar at the top changes to "Jumping" then displays some random site name such as "orgmicrobatch.com" or "ezquestion" and then I end up on another site with other links (one in particular that kept coming up was something like Britania which listed ebay and some other sites relating to whatever I'd originally searched for). I really don't know what's going on. Possibly a virus? I've tried deleting my cookies but this doesn't do anything. Help?!
That does sound rather much like a virus, luv. I once got the most annoying little bug called virusburster which kept giving me a little bubble pop up in the lower right of my screen warning me that I did not have virus protection and then would take me to the same bloody web site when I tried to close the sodding thing.
Please do not post links to software download sites here, ESPECIALLY in a thread about potential virus infection!
housecall.trendmicro.com is a browser based anti-virus that works great. It is totally free and requires no download. Cogito, I hope this is fine, I know you wanted no download links, but this is all browser based and from a reputable company.
Just a warning to all - there are sites that pose as virus removal services, but instead are virus and malware sources, and even the person who recommends such a site may not know that. Any site recommendations should be taken with a grain of salt.
Thanks for the feedback guys. I just don't understand why people make these annoying viruses. If they're that bored why don't they just buy a guinea pig or something?
You could always try Spybot Search and Destroy or AVG antivirus. You have to download them but they are free and highly reputable.
I've never had much luck with installing A/V or anti-spyware programs post infection, myself. Usually whenever I get infected, which is rare, I just save everything I need and reformat.
The easiest solution here is just to use Linux as your OS. You'll never have to deal with a virus again. I mean, why deal with cleaning up after malware when you can be busy learning the command line, fixing hardware configuration problems, and compiling software after the package manager screws up?
As for the virus thingy, that's can be a nightmare but a few precautions help. 1. Use anti virus software, there's some really good free ones out there such as AVAST and AVG. 2. If you're connected directly to the internet instead of via a router consider using firewall software like zone alarm. Another free program. 3. Try not to use Internet Explorer as there are some sites than can exploit security holes in it, and every time Microsoft patch a hole another one is discovered. Consider using Firefox or Google Chrome instead. 4. Take a bit of time to read up on computer security. The internet is full of malicious software and nasty hackers and a few simple considerations can make your time a lot safer.
I would try the Avast! demo. I used to to get rid of a similar virus/malware well it was something. Whenever I googled something, say banana, it would redirect me to some random page. I remember I clicked on one link and it gave me a youtube video. My sister said she got porn. Anyways I went to a forum I frequent and asked about any programs that could help. One of the programs was Avast! I have seen it recommended by a few people on the site so I took a leap of faith. fixed me problem right away. P.S. yes I meant Me and not My.
It is a "browser hijacker." It will redirect you to a website not of your choosing. There are ways to get rid of it, depending on the specific hijacker. The best method is a program called HijackThis. It will show you everything currently running on your computer. Then you can delete the specific browser hijacker. If you need help and can't find it elsewhere, send me a PM. I'm a minor computer wiz and could explain how to get rid of it.
