Search Problem...Virus??

[smokey]

I'm running Microsoft Windows XP on a Dell Dimension 2350. The past couple days I've been having an odd problem. For example, I'll type something like "ipod" in the search field on Yahoo or Google and click on search. The page displays the usual results and I click on "www.apple.com" which should take me to the Apple web site. The computer screen starts flipping through all these websites like "www.vymurawallpaper.com", "www.click.cheapstuff.com" and I end up on "www.shopping.yahoo.com". It kept happening no matter what I was searching for. It's like a bunch of shopping bots have infected my computer. I ran my McAfee virus scan and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware programs and they found nothing. I've manually deleted cookies and temporary internet files and history. I've re-booted a few times and it still happens. I then tried to use my System Restore in the System Tools and that feature won't work now and neither will my Disk Defragmenter. In addition the computer is running slower than usual. I'm ready to put my foot through the screen....any suggestions? Thanks.

[PN]

Can you do an Online (http://hubpages.com/hub/Top-Free-Online-Virus-Scan) Virus Scan? Also, download the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.aspx) (start, run MRT, return).

[smokey]

PN, You da man! I had the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool already on my computer. For some reason I guess it couldn't get updates. I fiddled around with my setings and got the update, ran it and it removed a Trojan called "WinNT/Alueon.C. In my mind I was already at Best Buy checking out new computers. Man that was soooo annoying. No matter what I put in the search box and then clicked on I was bombarded by abcjmp.com, abidjanbynight.com, alivelocal.com, bizrate.com, clicks.smartbizsearch.com, flagger.net, hitnfind.com, shopica.com and so on. Who comes up with these stupid viruses and why do they do it? Thanks again.

[PN]

Smokey, you're welcome. Some virus authors do everything they can to stay hidden, and attached themselves to key Windows system files. They will use keystroke loggers to collect your passwords or turn your computer into a zombie machine for their bot army. Anyway, as time goes on Malware is getting more difficult to find and remove.

[smokey]

PN, I just don't understand why the virus authors do it. When I was a kid I could be somewhat of a rascal. We'd hang out near a drug store that had an ice cream/coffee/sandwich bar located inside. Sometimes we would go in to get a burger and unscrew the salt shaker so the next patron would dump the whole container of salt on their food. We would stand outside to watch and laugh like a pack of hyenas when all the salt was dumped on their food. Unlike the virus authors...at least we could see the mischief we were hoping to cause. If the virus authors can't even watch the frustration they cause...I just don't see the point.

[PN]

Smokey, to paraphrase security expert Steve Gibson: The mindset of a programmer when he is writing code is, How can I get this to work. The mindset of the hacker is how can I make it break.

Here is an Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte_(virus_writer)) article about a female virus writer who goes by the name “Gigabyte.” I have a difficult time understanding the mind of a virus writer, but it looks to me like some see this as some sort of game or challenge.

Now the extortion that takes place on the Internet is easier to understand. A zombie computer is a machine that has been compromised by a hacker, Trojan horse, or a computer virus. When criminals control thousands (actually hundreds of thousands) they have what's called a network of zombies which is referred to as a "botnet." Now organized crime can try to extort money from commercial websites such as Wal-Mart or Amazon.

The cyber-criminals, which are sort of like the Mafia, they will call Wal-Mart and say “It would be a shame if your website were to go down during the Christmas week because you could lose millions of dollars. For one hundred thousand dollars we can guarantee protection to prevent this from happening.to your website.” If Wal-Mart refuses to comply, the criminals can release their thousands of zombie computers, or botnets, which will result in a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) which can bring the website down.

[brucec]

thats about what i was going to say
to them it's a challenge, thats all, they have games they play to see who can do what

[woman from Europe]

I have had two trojan horses today on my computer. I am using the avast antivirus, the free one, and I found the right away.

[chaffer]

Hi, this is my first post so I may as well try to be helpful if I can!

I agree that sometimes certain virusues and adware can corrupt your antivirus software itelf, making it temporarily unable to get the latest virus definitions.

There are a number of things I would do to be on the safe side.


Disconnect your PC from the internet
Perform a 'boot time' virus scan
Reboot and run of the free anti-spyware apps, the free ones are good IMO.
Also, you may have personal preferences but if you are using Internet explorer, you may be prone to more things than if you are using a more advanced browser such as Firefox, or even Google Chrome.

Hope this helps, also stay away from those dodgy site next time lol ;)

[c473s]

Downlaod and run Malwarebytes

[na4ko]

Not to advertise but Latest Symantec Norton antivirus is the best program for keeping spyware and viruses and hack attacks off your computer.

Smokey seems to me you have caught some sort of spyware thats why you are getting those strange results.

Get Norton antivirus and forget about your problems.

FYI avoid NOD32 at all costs it SUX big time.

[na4ko]

Its a spyware not a virus probably

Get Symantec Norton Antivirus

Its the best