Browser Hijacking

MrAl · Jan 20, 2011

Hello there,

I was wondering if anyone here knows of some decent software that will get rid of a browser hijacking, or at least some sort of adware.
What happens is every now and then the browser will jump to some strange web site that has nothing to do with what i am doing at the time. It's a big pain because it is interrupting everything i am doing at the time and it occurs quite often.
It happens with any browser though, not just the one i usually use.

Free would be nice

Any ideas?

gabeNC · Jan 20, 2011

I would scan it with malwarebytes first. Sometimes one tool can't catch everything and generally when I'm working on someone's machine, i'll scan it with several different tools.

1) malwarebytes
2) spyware blaster
3) hijack this
4) combofix

and although not really a malware tool, run Ccleaner when you are done. This will fix some registry issues and clean up cache.

good luck.

HarveyH42 · Jan 20, 2011

I use Spybot. It's free, and been using it for years.

SABorn · Jan 20, 2011

I like Avast Antivirus, its a free download and has a boot-time scanner, that seems to find everything.

Although a boot-time scan takes a long time to preform, its well worth it i think.
I set it and go to bed, done by the time i get up.

Pete.

Pommie · Jan 20, 2011

If it happens on all browsers then I would check your DNS settings. Sometimes they just point you at there DNS which randomly returns the wrong domain information.

Mike.

ElectroNewby · Jan 20, 2011

Free GREAT softs: Ccleaner + FireFox

Use Ccleaner. Just install it and run it once. It makes wonders: CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

And one of the best browsers:
https://www.mozilla.com/en/firefox/

You might also want to check out Chromium, which is an open-source version of Google Chrome. (Google Ghrome is based off it).

Chromium - The Chromium Projects

Edit: I really don't trust anti-malwares and anti-spy free and paying softwares. You could install linux and install Windows within linux using a virtualbox. It is VERY easy to do, and then you may just start forgetting about getting viruses. If you get one, you can go back to a previous state within seconds.

But you don't need linux. Here's someone installing Windows 7 in a virtualbox under... Windows 7 !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoSebbqBQQo

Pommie · Jan 20, 2011

Be very careful with Ccleaner, it deletes all history, usernames and passwords.

Mike.

Pommie · Jan 20, 2011

Some good tools for ridding PC of malware are,

RKill - kills any malware currently running so you can run other antivirus.
SuperAntiSpyware - free malware remover.

Mike.

ElectroNewby · Jan 21, 2011

Pommie said:
Be very careful with Ccleaner, it deletes all history, usernames and passwords.

Mike.

Not passwords saved in FireFox tho.

gabeNC · Jan 21, 2011

Pommie is absolutely correct, Ccleaner can and will delete passwords within firefox.

ElectroNewby · Jan 21, 2011

gabeNC said:
Pommie is absolutely correct, Ccleaner can and will delete passwords within firefox.

Yes you are right, I've put an exception in mine. My bad.

That said, one needs to know his passwords. And Ccleaner doesn't need to run everyday. I run it once every 2-3 months.

MrAl · Jan 21, 2011

Hello again, Thanks much to all who suggested fixes. I've tried a number of these now but am still having quite a bit of a problem with the navigation. What happens with the programs above is they find the files and delete them but it's too late because whatever they did is still in effect even without the .exe file they find. One of the programs found three problem files, deleted them, but the browser still jumps to other random sites without warning. I've also used my own software that i wrote myself and found things and fixed them but whatever that one bad file installed will not seem to go away. I've also checked many files by hand and still cant find anything. Any other ideas?

RMMM · Jan 21, 2011

Did you try RKill?

Also, use an off-site scan after running rkill.

Panda ActiveScan | Free Online Antivirus | Free Virus Disinfection - Panda Security

That will scan your computer from Panda servers.

Quite helpful for a virus that shuts down your other anti-solutions

Pommie · Jan 21, 2011

Check your DNS settings. Go to start->connect to->show all connections then right click the connection that's active and select properties. Highlight the internet protocol (tcp/ip) line and click properties. The DNS settings should be automatic.

Mike.

MrAl · Jan 21, 2011

Hello again, Thanks again for the suggestions. It turns out that RKill did not find anything and the DNS setting is 'automatic'. More ideas?

gabeNC · Jan 21, 2011

check /windows/system32/drivers/etc/hosts file.

Write a post on the forum at bleepingcomputer.com, they've got people who can read the hijackthis logs.

MrAl · Jan 23, 2011

Hello again, Ok thanks i'll check that out.

ericgibbs · Jan 23, 2011

MrAl said:
Hello again, Ok thanks i'll check that out.

hi Al,
Try the free download 'Googleupdater' install and run.

When you have cleaned out your PC, just disable its auto run until you need it next time.

EDIT:

If you dont use Google, download the free version of Spyware Doctor. http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/download/

MrAl · Jan 26, 2011

Hello Eric,

What do you mean by disable it's auto run?

Thanks...

ericgibbs · Jan 26, 2011

MrAl said:
Hello Eric,

What do you mean by disable it's auto run?

Thanks...

hi Al,
The Spyware Doctor can be enabled or disabled.
What I do is run it from time to time, then to 'speed' up web access I disable it. Its starts up at power on if set to auto run in the options.

Have you tried it. its the STARTER EDITION , free

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