STORM2K

Howdy all...I've got a computer issue...and it is frankly something I have never heard of before...maybe someone here can help me out. Here is the situation: First of all...I have antivirus software...and it says that my system is clean. I keep it updated (automatically) and clean every night. So...here is what my system is going. I found a virus on my machine (a worm I think)...cleaned it...and this was a while ago...but my system is doing something strange.

End of part 1

Every time I try to do a google search (or even yahoo) on computer virus information (regardless of the browser I am using...IE...Mozilla...Mozilla Firefox)....whether I am searching for the word "virus" ...or the name of a virus...or even if I try to access an anti-virus site...my browser closes immediately. I can search for anything else. I can link to anything else...but if it has anything to do with searching for computer virus information or clicking on a site that is about computer virus information (like v-com's virus encyclopedia)...the browser closes. I can immediately get back into the browser...and search for anything...as long as it is NOT about computer viruses. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks

Sounds like you have spyware or malware. Have you run a program that checks for this?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... laylang=en

Is your virus scan running in the background? Try turning it off, or changing the settings so that it runs on demand. See if that makes any difference. Do a google search for the name of your software and you're bound to find a discussion group for it.

In case you still have a worm on there, this place has found things that other anti-virus programs sometimes don't pick up. It's a free scan and I as well as others find it trustworthy.

http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm

Definately need to get a program to detect and delete Spyware and Adware. Those things can do some crazy stuff. May I recommend Ad Aware and Spybot Search N Destroy.

ohiostorm wrote:Definately need to get a program to detect and delete Spyware and Adware. Those things can do some crazy stuff. May I recommend Ad Aware and Spybot Search N Destroy.

I've got both and have run them...but it is still doing it.

I also tried the suggestion of stopping my virus scanner and I can't exit out of it. When I try to run msconfig...it won't open...neither will regedit.

Any suggestions...

air force met - do you have a fire wall like zone alarm? if not then download their free one - it's good - and see if that will help.

Can you boot to safe mode? You might be able to get to msconfig that way. If you're thinking about using regedit, you know more than I do.

My last suggestion: Both Ad-aware and spybot have new versions. I had an old version of A-A and kept it updated. The new one then caught many more things. The new version of spy bot has a feature that runs in the background to protect the computer.

coriolis wrote:Can you boot to safe mode? You might be able to get to msconfig that way. If you're thinking about using regedit, you know more than I do.

My last suggestion: Both Ad-aware and spybot have new versions. I had an old version of A-A and kept it updated. The new one then caught many more things. The new version of spy bot has a feature that runs in the background to protect the computer.

Yeah...that was the first thing I tried...going into safe mode and getting it that way. Still wouldn't come up. THink I'll break down and lose an hour off my life with COmpaq tomorrow

I've been at war with Norton Anti-Virus since October. Suddenly my anti-virus stopped working properly. All they keep telling me is to boot in safe mode and reload software--but this does not fix the problem.

I do run anti-spyware. Am not actually finding viruses (using other anti-virus detection programs). However, Norton has my system all messed up.

PM me if you have Norton because I suspect I'm not the only person having issues with Norton. Perhaps if enough of us get together, we can complain more effectively than if we complain individually.

Yes, I can boot in safe mode--but that does not fix the problem. Editing the Registry is a pain (yes we can and have done so) but it does not fix the problem.

AFM.. Boot up into safe mode with Networking.. Once there go here and run this virus scan.. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/install.html After that run your spyware programs from safe mode as well.. After that reboot and tell me if its better.. Its definatly a Virus/spyware problem..

MUST DO THIS IN SAFE MODE

chadtm80 wrote:AFM.. Boot up into safe mode with Networking.. Once there go here and run this virus scan.. http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/install.html After that run your spyware programs from safe mode as well.. After that reboot and tell me if its better.. Its definatly a Virus/spyware problem..

MUST DO THIS IN SAFE MODE

Thanks...I'll try it when I get home.

Even in safe mode it won't let me go to that sight. I am in SAFE mode now...running my virus and adware softeware...and it is still not allowing me to access sites that have to do with virus or computer protection...and it won't let me go to this site

are you getting any kind of messages? Or are you being re routed to any websites that you didnt ask to acess.. IE any Search pages etc..


Go to tools, Options.. And see what link is there for your home page.. If its anything other then what you set it to, let me know what it is

Also, do you have any other browser other then Internet Explorer?
Such as Netscape or Firefox?

Yep...I have MOzilla and Mozilla Firefox (2 different versions) and it closed ALL of my browsers down when I try.

looks to me like you have some sort of Browser Hijacker.

http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

That new microsoft beta version anti-spyware thing is quite useful too.

after utilizing these programs, make sure your reboot your computer.

Air Force Met wrote:Yep...I have MOzilla and Mozilla Firefox (2 different versions) and it closed ALL of my browsers down when I try.

Ok.. How about your home page?

alicia-w wrote:looks to me like you have some sort of Browser Hijacker.

http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

That new microsoft beta version anti-spyware thing is quite useful too.

after utilizing these programs, make sure your reboot your computer.

Remember the main problem...my computer somehow knows when I am going to a website to get help...and it locks up the browser...just as it did again when I tried to go to your link.