Need help... possible browser hijacked

[lane]

Thanks, Fonz. I just downloaded Google Chrome, trying the new browser route, but it has no bookmarks, no home button, no search engine! Tried and tried to locate these things, tried to add them, but like I said, I'm no computer geek, and apparently Google Chrome is too high tech for a nurse geek like me. (I'm a nurse, lol)

We downloaded the Malwarebytes last night. We also downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials and RegistryFix (paid $27 for that one!). They all found things and fixed them, but did not solve our problem. Does anybody know about Bing search engine? Maybe I should try to download it and get rid of Google, since the search engine seems to be the enemy for us.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Thanks, Fonz. I just downloaded Google Chrome, trying the new browser route, but it has no bookmarks, no home button, no search engine! Tried and tried to locate these things, tried to add them, but like I said, I'm no computer geek, and apparently Google Chrome is too high tech for a nurse geek like me. (I'm a nurse, lol)

We downloaded the Malwarebytes last night. We also downloaded Microsoft Security Essentials and RegistryFix (paid $27 for that one!). They all found things and fixed them, but did not solve our problem. Does anybody know about Bing search engine? Maybe I should try to download it and get rid of Google, since the search engine seems to be the enemy for us.

You need to find someone to come to your house and work on your computer, or someone you can take the computer to. If you can find a co worker that can reformat the hard drive, or a co workers relative that can do it.

That or get a new computer.

I thought you were maybe understating you computer knowledge/exp initially but the more I read the more I realize you were being generous. I do NOT mean that in a bad way. Some people are just better with computers or know more about them and some people are not.

All of the stuff we are talking about that some of us think are just easy taken for granted stuff probably sounds like a bunch of greek to you right now. Chances are we are just confusing you more than helping.

Plus it can be hard to help people over a message board or over the phone. Much easier when they can actually work on the computer in question to look at different stuff.

Sorry.

 

[lane]

So true, Brain. My favorite line from the movie Titanic is, "women and machinery do not mix". I believe it does apply in my case with computers.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Chances are it has installed a proxy on your system or is redirecting you to one of their proxies.

For Firefox, goto Options->Advanced and click the Network tab. Click Settings and make sure "No Proxy" is selected.

For IE: Tools->Internet Options->Connections Tab->LAN Settings

Uncheck everything.

If you find that this fixes it, change any passwords you have or had used since this started happening. If the proxy says connect to localhost, then it's installed on your system. If it says the proxy is at some other address, then it isn't on your system.

 

[MonsterD]

Chrome seems to user friendly, once installed it asks to import your other browser's settings. After selecting which search engine you prefer it tells you to search in the "omnibox" that is just where you type in an address or type what you are searching for (one field for everything). To the right of the omnibox is a little square and a wrench head, hit that go to options and select the "personal stuff" tab and you can select to import settings(data) from your other browser.

 

[ajk23az]

Try this.

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/2852-malware-and-spyware-cleaning-guide/

It gives you a step by step tutorial. Even a step by step video.

 

[bbgun]

Man, I feel for you Lane. This insidious bug/virus/malware sounds like a real *****. Hopefully you won't have to junk your whole system.

 

[tupperware]

It also sounds as if your hosts file has been tampered with.

 

[lane]

Been working with this GoogleChrome browser, but my system keeps freezing up, sometimes I have to turn the whole computer off just to unfreeze it. It has probably been tampered with, infested, etc. beyond repair without rebuilding the whole darned thing, which is out of the question for us. We will try to keep messing with it. We have three new antivirus/malware/register cleaning programs and just can't take on anymore or try too many others. We will probably have to get another system if this doesn't straighten out. I am very concerned about the safety of personal information being stolen, i.e. bank account info, even if the new browser stays safe, what about the damage that is being done. Guess we should change all our passwords like nyc said, and delete Firefox link altogether.

 

[random Cs]

Hello Cowboy fans.

Been working with this GoogleChrome browser, but my system keeps freezing up, sometimes I have to turn the whole computer off just to unfreeze it. It has probably been tampered with, infested, etc. beyond repair without rebuilding the whole darned thing, which is out of the question for us. We will try to keep messing with it. We have three new antivirus/malware/register cleaning programs and just can't take on anymore or try too many others. We will probably have to get another system if this doesn't straighten out. I am very concerned about the safety of personal information being stolen, i.e. bank account info, even if the new browser stays safe, what about the damage that is being done. Guess we should change all our passwords like nyc said, and delete Firefox link altogether.

Yes, you have malware. Its not a virus so anti-virus software will not help you nor will a new browser.

At this point the malware has damaged your computer. You cannot get rid of it without repairing the damage so the malware cleaning software will not help you either even if it removes the malware. (it will come back)


You have basically 2 options:
1. Comptetely wipe your computer and reinstall your operating system which can be complicated. You may have to pay someone to do it for you.

2. Fix the damage, which can also be complicated. You can also pay someone to do it for you which will most likely cost more then wiping it.

To fix it yourself this is a very good website:

Try this.

http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/topic/2852-malware-and-spyware-cleaning-guide/

It gives you a step by step tutorial. Even a step by step video.

What you do is follow those directions, then post on their forums your problem with a log of your computer. If your computer is too far gone where you can't even download and/or run the scanning software then explain that in your post.

You will wait for a tech to assist you which generally takes a couple days. If no one helps you in 3 days from your post, re-post your problem in the "not getting help" section.

A tech will assist you with step-by-step instructions on what to do or what the problem is. Even with step by step instructions it can still be complicated.


Good luck.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Been working with this GoogleChrome browser, but my system keeps freezing up, sometimes I have to turn the whole computer off just to unfreeze it. It has probably been tampered with, infested, etc. beyond repair without rebuilding the whole darned thing, which is out of the question for us. We will try to keep messing with it. We have three new antivirus/malware/register cleaning programs and just can't take on anymore or try too many others. We will probably have to get another system if this doesn't straighten out. I am very concerned about the safety of personal information being stolen, i.e. bank account info, even if the new browser stays safe, what about the damage that is being done. Guess we should change all our passwords like nyc said, and delete Firefox link altogether.

I had a user get a virus the other day. I was able to clean it off, but it damaged the system. So while his machine was usable again, it would BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) every once in a while. At that point, there are possible ways to fix it, but in truth; a complete wipe and reinstall is best.

Back of your data. Export your bookmarks or at leastsave the Mozilla profile folder.

 

[MyBad]

Go here > http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup and follow the steps. You will learn plenty, and clean up your system!

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Chances are that the FBI or Interpol is monitoring your computer usage.

Best wishes,
Gimmetheball!

 

[MonsterD]

Chances are that the FBI or Interpol is monitoring your computer usage.

Best wishes,
Gimmetheball!

No they just like recording your own brain activity.