Google search results hijacked.

When using IE and Google for results it returns URL's which do not
match the subject.

Say we type in "Choice magazine" the headers are Choice but not matching
URL's.

But if Firefox is used as a browser then the correct results are listed.

So I know its a IE related and has been hijacked by someone/something etc.

Where can one find whats causing the problem. The CA virus checker has
not identified or stopped anything.

Any suggestions where to look for the file to rectify the problem.

thanks

BTW not my PC

 

I get exactly the same finds between Firefox (v3.1beta2) and IE v6.

 

If you search different browsers, you should get similar but not exact
as it's tailored to the browser and previous results.
If it's totally different and nothing what you've searched for, it's
hijacked. If you type in rubbish in the Address Bar and brings a
search page you've never seen before, it's hijacked.



That's why so many people use Internet Explorer, it's so easy to hijack.
No wait, the other way around.

I'd say someone's been watching some Naughtaaay Videos

Most scanners will not pick-up spyware, hijackers


Use spybot, easily the best and it's free
http://www.safer-networking.org/index2.html

 

Have a look at Hijackthis software - free

 

He appears to be suggesting that his system may be infected, so what you get is irrelevant.

 

I would say not this person.

 

Exactly - there are different results using IE and Firefox searching the
same criteria. IE results have been hijacked.

Its finding where the problem originates within the computer,

 

What do you base that statement on?

Spybot used to be good, but it's slow and pretty ordinary these days.

Try A-squared free and Malwarebytes Antimalware.

Hijack this is not much good after the event. It's only useful for
detecting new additions following the original scan.

Spyware blaster is also worth having installed to reduce infections.

All of the above have free versions.

Rob

 

I know it's slow, but I know it finds everything
I have tried some others, and I really didn't like them at all.

 

Then why did Adaware find more after Spybot ran to completion???

 

I used it for about 10 years until recently. I took it off the other
day.

It's a good program (albeit a resource hog and very very slow) but
there are other programs which I think do as good or a better job.

I recently had two PC's to fix which were infected with particularly
nasty malware. Ran Spybot and A-squared free, no good, didn't find it.

Did a Google and found that Malware bytes was the go for the particular
infection. Ran it and it found and fixed it.

So while I have great respect for Spybot, there are other free programs
which are as good or better - in some instances.

Incidentally the review quoted on the Spybot page is actually 6 years
old. Since then PCmag have downgraded their assessment considerably,
but other reviews are still very favourable. Go figure

I do like A-squared free - it found stuff missed by Spybot - give it a
try.

Cheers

Rob

 

Tried A2Free

It looks prettier and Spybot but...

Some differences
You can't change the level of scan in spybot

Doing a Deep Scan on A2 is way way slower Spybot, using their default
settings. But both of them you can change, A2 is a lot simpler and
easier to change.

Spybot you can't pause it, this is a real bummer

Both use a shit load of ram > 120Meg

A2 reckons a Lot of my own personal programs I wrote are trojan
downloaders, interesting but so very wrong

A2 wants to delete my Email Spam Trash folder because it reckons it is
trojan downloader, that maybe so but the mail folder itself is not a
downloader.

A2 did pick-up more, but I do have to ask, are they legitimate threats.

And Malware-Bytes you have to buy, wink. I won't buy something I would
only use once a month or testing a new program.

 

There is a free version of Malwarebytes. The upgrade (which isn't
free) has more features.

See
http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.h
tml

A2free is known to generate some false positives, as you found, but as
to what's legitimate and whats not, who knows.

Lava soft Adaware also gives false positives, and can wreak havok if
not scrutinised. Particularly likes to remove dual boot files

Interesting stuff.

Cheers

Rob

 

Obviously he knows when it claims that software he wrote himself is a trojan downloader.