Is this Malware, Virus, or Spyware ? Pls Help me.

Hi,

I am on a Sony all in one desk top, running a Core Duo T2400 with 1.99GB of ram, and a 225gb hard drive. Using windows XP Media Center Edt, with Serv Pack 3.

I did something very dumb the other day. I was running a free version of Sypbot Search and Destroy and cut it off ( exit ) by mistake. As I was doing alot of research/searching on Google links, my computer hard drive starting running away like crazy.

The desktop went black and was blank. I was able to detirmine that the files were all checked hidden, and I could not run restore. I went in and unhid the files, went into windows and did restore.

I then ran ATF cleaner, and next sypbot. Everthing else came back ok, EXCEPT. Now when I use the IE browser, and do Google searches it brings out a list of sites, but....... when I click a site it redirects to a ad site, or just gives me the same search result Google list again. I have looked at a few free anti-malware programs, run them, like Malwarebytes, but nothing fixes it. Everything redirects after I get the search results list.

What can I do/run that will fix this ? Is this Malware ? Thanks for help to anyone.

 

Download and run the 32 bit version of this:
Microsoft Safety Scanner - Remove Spyware, Malware, Viruses Free

You don;t mention any AV software in your message. What are your running besides the anti-malware software?

 

Well I thought the Spybot was a AV. Thats my next step after fixing this. A close friend recommended ZoneAlarm, but its not free. Can someone give me a few recommendations that are free. I get confused as to cleaners, AV's, and so on.

I was looking at theards here a bout the MS Security Essentials, is that a AV I could run ? Thanks

 

For free AV there is a sticky on free AV Software on this same page you posted - most will recommend MSE, Avast or Avira.

Link is: http://forum.notebookreview.com/security-anti-virus-software/190538-best-free-security-software.html

 

2 other questions please:

1. I have a Compaq Notebook running Vista Home w/ serv pack 2. Is this 32bit or 64 to run the MS scanner on also ?

2. I saw that thread but I was so confused with all the recomendations, and the 1st page have 3 year old plus recommendation. I'm not sure which is a defender, cleaner, firewall, AV or what. I'm not the smartest when it comes to this stuff. Dont I need a Anti/Virus and a Anti Spyware/Malware program ?

First I need to get this Redirect issue fixed.

 

Hi jgscott,

On your 2 Questions above ^ ...

A1: When you go to the Scanner Download Page ... just Click on the Download ... DO NOT choose 32-Bit or 64-Bit ... by Default the downlaod will have Both versions ... and it will work.

A2: For your VISTA machine Click on Windows Icon on lower left hand > go to "Computer" and Right Click on your mouse and Choose "Properties" in there it will tell you What Version of Vista and 32 or 64-Bit.

Now go back to the FREE AntiVirus link that J&SinKTO gave you above ... and download and install these softwares ... and you will be good to go ... and they are all FREE ... the only thing YOU better download the Updates for them Manually yourself ... especially for AVIRA

1) AVIRA AntiVirus
Use this one is one of the Best. Updates are done daily ... but it is Quick.

2) Comodo Firewall
One of the Best Firewall ... just follow Baserk's Pointers and Guide. This one has Autoupdate Notification ... so you don't have to sweat it.

3) SpywareBlaster
This one will block some of the Nasty sites ... good Watchdog. But must be updated ... usually comes up with updates "Weekly" only.

Other 2 softwares to have for ON-DEMAND Scans ... to run weekly or so ... are

MalwarebytesAntiMalware
SuperAntiSpyware

Now you are set to go.

G!

 

Ok, I've run most of these programs and it' Still Redirecting . How do I get rid of this problem ? Can someone please help me.

I ran :

SpywareBlaster
MS Safety Scanner
Spybot
MalwarebytesAntiMalware
SUPERAntiSpyware

Each time it finds problems. I reboot like it says. But when I go back to IE and use Google or Yahoo search it brings up sites, but redirects when I click a site.

 

Run them in Safe Mode.
You may also need to delete all your restore points.

 

Hey jgscott,

Running those in "Safe Mode" most likely solved your problem ... but if NOT ... look at the following links ... might help ...

Hijacked browser | Browser security | Combat Online Fraud

The following Program is updated Monthly ... this is the latest. This one comes in both 32-Bit and 64-Bit ... and you have to use the Correct version for your PC ... also, running the FULL SCAN it takes Several lonnnnnng hours ... so .
Download details: Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830)

JG ... I found this YouTube video most interesting ... check what this guy is saying ... see if you find anything Fishy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLVifFbLIso&feature=related

BTW, worse come to worst ... you can just wipe your hard drive and Start CLEAN! Pain in the butt ... but what the heck!

Good Luck and Post Back.

G!

 

Could you tell us what exactly is being picked up in these scans?