Okay, this has to be one of the stupidest virus/trojan I've ever seen. Whenever I go to a search engine and do a search, the first page of results that comes up are a bunch of fake links to websites that sell random things disguised as real websites. I first noticed this when using Yahoo, but I tried out a few other search engines and noticed the same exact things happening. At the same time, a popup window with some of the same links appears. And I don't know if this is just a coincidence or not, but it seems like any searches I try to do take a LONG time to load up. I think it has to be something to do with whatever has infected my computer, because no other websites take that long to load up. Even the main pages of the search engines load up fast, but when I actually try to look for something it just stalls--sometimes it never actually executes the search. In something that is also probabably totally unrelated to this--I cant get Windows Media Player to work, either. Any time I try to open up a file my computer acts as if nothing has happened or freezes up. I ran Ad-Aware and it found some stuff, but it didn't correct the problems that I've been having. Anyone know what this might be and/or how to fix it?
I have exactly the same problem! Funny thing is that the new links I get are mainly(2 out of 3) are for virus scans! The message I get when I try open Windows Media Player is that eather it has something to do with the sound and therefor the file can't be opened or the file is opened but but there is some stream(?) problems and the movie isn't quite...fluid?... If somebody has an answer i'll be more than happy to hear it! I gotta have my por...euh...series! Wally
<a href="http://www.safer-networking.org/">Try using Spybot Search and Destroy</a> as well as <a href="http://www.lavasoftusa.com/">Adaware</a>. Also, start using a real browser, like <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/">Mozilla Firefox</a>.
I tried Firefox awhile back and i didnt really like it, i dont know if it was just i didnt use the options it has or what, i just thought it didnt offer anymore than what IE already has.
I have the google toolbar on my browser so that blocks pop ups, and the tabbed browsing doesnt do much for me at least.
One of the best features I like about Firefox is the tabbed browsing, the pop blocker isn't anything special (I like the google bar better) but it can only get better (best thing about open-source)
this thread is a godsend! fixed all my problems that i was too stoopid not to catch myself. any other tips on virus protection or spyware/adware?
Ok folks, listen up... It is no longer just a matter of scanning your computer for virii any more. That's old school. Here, now are the maintenance procedures you should run about twice a week: 1) download updated anti-virus definitions. Your anti-virus app should at least be able to scan emails coming in and out, and contents of zip files. 2) run hfnetchk (get it from download.com) to determine if your windows lacks security patches. If it does, download and apply the appropriate patches from Microsoft. MS is coming out with new patches constantly nowadays. 3) check for updates for AdAware and scan your machine 4) check for updates for spyBot and scan your machine As I said, you should do all of these about twice a week. And the final rule: if you don't have a firewall GET ONE (don't use the one built into XP). -- droxford
We've had this thread (a variant of it at least) about once every two weeks. Perhaps Clutch should make it a Sticky? <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/">Firefox!</a> <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/">Firefox!</a> <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/">Firefox!</a> <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/">Firefox!</a> <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/">Firefox!</a> <a href="http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/">Firefox!</a>
thought I would chime in on this to reiterate droxford's post. this is excellent advice..... there are many personal firewall programs out there....there is no excuse to be surfing the internet unprotected. if you dont already have a hardware firewall/router if you are on broadband....shut down your machine right now and run out and get one.. and even if you have one...it doesnt hurt to be extra safe...go get Zonealarm...or Sygate Personal Firewall....or Black Ice or Tiny Personal firewall.... here is an excellent page detailing ratings of varioous firewalls... http://grc.com/lt/scoreboard.htm
<a href="http://www.flexbeta.net/main/articles.php?action=show&showarticle=41">FlexBeta has an interesting review of software firewalls</a>. Despite the fact that all of them fail in at least one area, it is a good idea to use something. Personally, I like Sygate Personal Firewall. If you're smart about keeping your Windows install updated, don't download spyware-filled software, avoid MS Internet Explorer and Outlook Express, and regularly use Spybot S+D, Adaware, and a Virus program, you'll rarely have any notable problems.
agreed....the main areas I have problems from is from installing beta ( or even some alpha) programs and having them not be compatible with something or the other. The only time I have had a virii was when one of the kids downloaded one and it tried to infect over my network...lucklily, my AV prog caught it. If everyone went by the procedures that droxford and Vengeance posted...we would rarely have virus threads around here.
