IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! - Google or yahoo search results being redirected

zaboo3 · 08-07-2009, 10:15 PM

Hi,
Man, something freaky is happening on my computer. IE and Firefox both doing this...
When I try to do try to do a search from both google or yahoo search, I get sent to some unrelated web site every time. Unless I pick up the web address directly and past up in the address bar. Any ideas.

Also, if it is a virus issue, maybe you can suggest better coverage. I am using

Win XP Pro
AVG Pro
SpyBot S&D
Advanced System Care Pro

Thanks a bunch, great forum!!!
Fred

abcime · 09-07-2009, 06:44 AM

Hello there,
I used to have the same problem too.
Not very long time ago, there's a news about Google got heck and whatever you click on the search result it will take you to an unrelated web site or advertisement.
But I believe it is not Google's (Yahoo or any search engine's) problem anymore.
It might be spyware which isn't very hard for a computer to get.
I suggest two website and hope this would help.
Malwarebytes.org
TREND MICRO HouseCall 6.5
I recently renew my computer, reboot my OS and I don't have that problem anymore.
I'm not saying you have to reboot your OS for just this problem. I renew my computer is for other reason.
It's just one solution you may consider to use.

Hope this help! =)

John

**Strider** · 09-07-2009, 10:44 AM

Hi Fred,

Welcome to the forums.

Please try the following:

1. Make sure your Antivirus (AVG) and Spybot S&D are up to date.

2. Browse to the folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc and open the file hosts in note pad. Make sure it's clean. Better replace and save the file with the default values shown below:

Code:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
#      102.54.94.97     rhino.acme.com          # source server
#       38.25.63.10     x.acme.com              # x client host

127.0.0.1       localhost

3. Use OpenDNS:

https://www.opendns.com/start/device/windows-xp

4. Reboot and see if you are still having the problems.

zaboo3 · 10-07-2009, 01:57 AM

Hi Stridor,
The file "etc" is identical to the one you listed. Then you mentioned openDNS, I am not sure what you want me to do there. Could you clarify please.

Also requested better software for protection, any suggestions?

Thanks,
Fred

**Strider** · 10-07-2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Then you mentioned openDNS, I am not sure what you want me to do there. Could you clarify please.

Change your DNS servers to OpenDNS ips. A good tutorial on how to do this is available in this page.

Quote:

Also requested better software for protection, any suggestions?

It's always go for commercial Security products. ESET Smart Security and Kaspersky Internet Security are very good options.

If you need a free option try Avast Home edition.

zaboo3 · 11-07-2009, 03:55 AM

Hey Man,
You da mack! Thanks so much for your worthwhile efforts, I will act on it pronto!
Be well Brother!
Fred

**bakuryu** · 11-07-2009, 10:12 PM

Also download and run Spybot S&D, update definitions and run a full scan.

08-07-2009, 10:15 PM	#1
zaboo3 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0 OS:	IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! - Google or yahoo search results being redirected Hi, Man, something freaky is happening on my computer. IE and Firefox both doing this... When I try to do try to do a search from both google or yahoo search, I get sent to some unrelated web site every time. Unless I pick up the web address directly and past up in the address bar. Any ideas. Also, if it is a virus issue, maybe you can suggest better coverage. I am using Win XP Pro AVG Pro SpyBot S&D Advanced System Care Pro Thanks a bunch, great forum!!! Fred

09-07-2009, 06:44 AM	#2
abcime Newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rock Valley, Iowa Posts: 4 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 0 OS:	Re: IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! Hello there, I used to have the same problem too. Not very long time ago, there's a news about Google got heck and whatever you click on the search result it will take you to an unrelated web site or advertisement. But I believe it is not Google's (Yahoo or any search engine's) problem anymore. It might be spyware which isn't very hard for a computer to get. I suggest two website and hope this would help. Malwarebytes.org TREND MICRO HouseCall 6.5 I recently renew my computer, reboot my OS and I don't have that problem anymore. I'm not saying you have to reboot your OS for just this problem. I renew my computer is for other reason. It's just one solution you may consider to use. Hope this help! =) John

09-07-2009, 10:44 AM	#3
Strider Founder Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: The Last City Zion! Posts: 3,539 Thanks: 287 Thanked 345 Times in 298 Posts Rep Power: 62 OS:	Re: IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! Hi Fred, Welcome to the forums. Please try the following: 1. Make sure your Antivirus (AVG) and Spybot S&D are up to date. 2. Browse to the folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc and open the file hosts in note pad. Make sure it's clean. Better replace and save the file with the default values shown below: Code: # Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp. # # This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows. # # This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each # entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should # be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name. # The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one # space. # # Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual # lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol. # # For example: # # 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server # 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host 127.0.0.1 localhost 3. Use OpenDNS: https://www.opendns.com/start/device/windows-xp 4. Reboot and see if you are still having the problems. __________________ Want to ask a question? Try This! A guide on how to post a question, reply to a post etc.

10-07-2009, 01:57 AM	#4
zaboo3 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0 OS:	Re: IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! Hi Stridor, The file "etc" is identical to the one you listed. Then you mentioned openDNS, I am not sure what you want me to do there. Could you clarify please. Also requested better software for protection, any suggestions? Thanks, Fred

11-07-2009, 03:55 AM	#6
zaboo3 Newbie Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0 OS:	Re: IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! - Google or yahoo search results being redirected Hey Man, You da mack! Thanks so much for your worthwhile efforts, I will act on it pronto! Be well Brother! Fred

11-07-2009, 10:12 PM	#7
bakuryu ƒ(ψ)=Θº×φ Join Date: May 2006 Location: India Age: 23 Posts: 6,621 Thanks: 19 Thanked 645 Times in 603 Posts Rep Power: 87 OS:	Re: IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! - Google or yahoo search results being redirected Also download and run Spybot S&D, update definitions and run a full scan. __________________ Please don't click here

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IE and Firefox Search gone crazy! - Google or yahoo search results being redirected

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