Google links re-directing

[jasonjas]

Like RebateMonger stated, reformatting is the best option. I used to download viruses to virtual machines and ran into this error before and it was never fixed after days of work and searching for something using many different programs/pre-environments.

Backup what you can and reinstall is my best suggestion as well. In fact, starting over is actually a good thing since it will make your system faster and get rid of the 'leftovers' that build up on systems.

 

[Kommander_Kink]

Ramnit worm, also known as W32/ramnit. Does it take you to Juggle.com by any chance in some of those misdirects? I had this same problem and NOTHING was able to cure it, the only thing that got rid of it was Spyware Doctor but it also destroyed my Windows XP system because it removed critical files/pathways associated with the system, they were infected by the virus.

The only true way to get out of this situation is to do a clean Windows install and wipe out everything you had before, do NOT save or back up programs or files to transfer to your new system install.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Ramnit worm, also known as W32/ramnit. Does it take you to Juggle.com by any chance in some of those misdirects? I had this same problem and NOTHING was able to cure it, the only thing that got rid of it was Spyware Doctor but it also destroyed my Windows XP system because it removed critical files/pathways associated with the system, they were infected by the virus.

The only true way to get out of this situation is to do a clean Windows install and wipe out everything you had before, do NOT save or back up programs or files to transfer to your new system install.

so not even like my pcitures or school work? thats all i save anyway. i was going to nuke my pc tomorrow afternoon i think

 

[RebateMonger]

so not even like my pcitures or school work? thats all i save anyway. i was going to nuke my pc tomorrow afternoon i think

Infection of data files or even common application files is EXTREMELY rare nowadays. Most every malware writer seems to go for the System files and the Registry. Plus extra applications that they add themselves. If you back up your data, do a clean install of Windows and your applications, and do a scan or two of your data files, you should be fine.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Infection of data files or even common application files is EXTREMELY rare nowadays. Most every malware writer seems to go for the System files and the Registry. If you back up your data, do a clean install of Windows and your applications, and do a scan or two of your data files, you should be fine.

yeah thats what i was planning on doing...i suppose it has been a while since i reformatted anyway so i might as well.

 

[corkyg]

Put all your data files, etc., on an external drive if you can.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

any suggestions for backup software? i think ive used reflect and norton ghost a while....and i know win7 has its built in feature which ive used before.

edit: fuck microsoft. i have a student license of win 7 ultimate, and the key wasn't registering, so I called them. apparently you are only allowed one (1) install on the cd key, and when you reformat you have to purchase a new key. wtf is that bullshit? i will call back in a few minutes and see if they let me do it anyway.


edit2: still sitting around with an empty drive, windows wont let me reinstall with my student license that i purchased a longlong time ago. guess i'm ponying up for retail.

 

[COPOHawk]

I know this is a bit late...but I have been fighting this issue on a few residential computers (customers) in the last week.

One of them (desktop) had some virus/spyware on it...I was able to remove everything bad and get it back in running condition EXCEPT for this google redirect issue. That was solved by pulling the hard drive and attaching it in an enclosure to my computer.

The laptop had same problem...but residual system corruption is still there even after the virus is gone.

I will be reinstalling Windows on the laptop...the desktop is good to go. BTW...I tried just about everything remotely I could think of...because each of these customers live about an hour and a half away from me.

I remove virus/spyware on about 2 computers a week (for past 4 years)...and this Google hijack thing is a real PITA. In the vast majority of cases, I am able to remove the bad stuff and Windows goes back to normal pre-infection state.

HTH...

 

[HybridSquirrel]

I know this is a bit late...but I have been fighting this issue on a few residential computers (customers) in the last week.

One of them (desktop) had some virus/spyware on it...I was able to remove everything bad and get it back in running condition EXCEPT for this google redirect issue. That was solved by pulling the hard drive and attaching it in an enclosure to my computer.

The laptop had same problem...but residual system corruption is still there even after the virus is gone.

I will be reinstalling Windows on the laptop...the desktop is good to go. BTW...I tried just about everything remotely I could think of...because each of these customers live about an hour and a half away from me.

I remove virus/spyware on about 2 computers a week (for past 4 years)...and this Google hijack thing is a real PITA. In the vast majority of cases, I am able to remove the bad stuff and Windows goes back to normal pre-infection state.

HTH...

i reformatted and reinstalled win xp.....since microsoft doesnt want to register my academic win 7 cd key =\

 

[COPOHawk]

That sucks...but at least it is up and runnig.

It is getting annoying lately that virus/spyware appears to be causing more OS corruption than I ever remember.

Although the average user doesn't usually deal with it until the computer doesn't work anymore Part of the problem...

 

[HybridSquirrel]

That sucks...but at least it is up and runnig.

It is getting annoying lately that virus/spyware appears to be causing more OS corruption than I ever remember.

Although the average user doesn't usually deal with it until the computer doesn't work anymore Part of the problem...

i usually scan/delete spyware every week...it tacks on my desktop for some reason (i dont use that pc for pron)...malware/spybot/avg all run weekly and usually never find anything and if it does i delete it...but mehmehmeh its working now just wish i had windows 7

 

[COPOHawk]

One of the BEST removal options:

1. Pull the hard drive and attach it to a known good computer
a. scan with GOOD av software
b. scan with superantispyware

This gets most of the worst stuff off.

2. reinstall the hard drive in the machine.

3. boot into safe mode and run malware bytes, spybot, superantispyware, etc.

4. This works for 80% of the computers that I see.

5. Remaining 20% have Windows/app corruption and need to have Windows reinstalled.

Hope this helps someone else.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

One of the BEST removal options:

1. Pull the hard drive and attach it to a known good computer
a. scan with GOOD av software
b. scan with superantispyware

This gets most of the worst stuff off.

2. reinstall the hard drive in the machine.

3. boot into safe mode and run malware bytes, spybot, superantispyware, etc.

4. This works for 80% of the computers that I see.

5. Remaining 20% have Windows/app corruption and need to have Windows reinstalled.

Hope this helps someone else.

appreciate it, and ill keep that in mind. only problem is that my sata connector is broken on the primary hard drive, and im afraid if i remove it it won't fit back in (i kinda jammed it back in when it broke off on a road trip)

 

[mechBgon]

i usually scan/delete spyware every week...it tacks on my desktop for some reason (

I mentioned earlier a couple tips for reducing the risk of that. Here's the full enchilada, which reduces the risk to essentially zero: http://www.mechbgon.com/security Is it a little bit of a learning curve? Yeah. But look what you've been through.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

I mentioned earlier a couple tips for reducing the risk of that. Here's the full enchilada, which reduces the risk to essentially zero: http://www.mechbgon.com/security Is it a little bit of a learning curve? Yeah. But look what you've been through.

all i do on that desktop, is play video games, talk on vent, and type papers.....rarely ever check my email/facebook/forums/interwebs unless im looking up something for WoW or LoL which is how i found out about google redirecting...so all i feel that extra security is pretty non-sense for what i use it for. on this computer yeah, i have security in place....but thats because i am on the interwebz a lot more. i think it got something from my flash drive that i stuck in a school computer, which i never do and when i do i scan it at home...

 

[mechBgon]

Well, shutting down the flash-drive attack vector *is* one of the steps there And that's a particularly easy one to do, so here's a couple ways.

1) whichever version of WinXP you have, run this Microsoft patch to begin with. Easily done.

2) if you have WinXP Professional Edition or Media Center Edition, the best way is to run gpedit.msc, go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Turn Off AutoPlay, enable the setting and turn off AutoPlay on all devices.

3) if you have WinXP Home Edition, use the Microsoft TweakUI powertoy. Open it, go down to My Computer > AutoPlay, and in the Drive Types, disable AutoPlay for both options (discs and drives). CDs and DVDs can carry AutoPlay malware too, so this also shuts down that attack vector.


That EMET utility is also a set-and-forget item, definitely worthwhile. And the Secunia checkup isn't that hard to do... if you could get 100 free MP3s with it, you know you'd learn how to run it


As for the "well, I only play games, it's not such a security-critical computer" thing, did you realize that the bad guys use malware to steal your game CD keys, Steam log-in credentials, WoW account, and stuff like that? Even if you're not prepared to go the whole way with a non-Admin account and SRP, at least get the basics covered.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

Well, shutting down the flash-drive attack vector *is* one of the steps there And that's a particularly easy one to do, so here's a couple ways.



As for the "well, I only play games, it's not such a security-critical computer" thing, did you realize that the bad guys use malware to steal your game CD keys, Steam log-in credentials, WoW account, and stuff like that? Even if you're not prepared to go the whole way with a non-Admin account and SRP, at least get the basics covered.

but i never use a flash drive in that computer. and i change my passwords frequently on my accounts, and i scan frequently for those specific loggers. besides i dont want all those ridiculous security features on my computer, it just makes it less fun.

 

[mechBgon]

If you scan frequently for loggers, finding one would mean your stuff had already been heisted. Closing the barn doors after the horses bolted will not bring them back, so maybe some preventive measures...? Just sayin' I don't think they'd be any more of a hassle than scanning for loggers already is, so think it over.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

If you scan frequently for loggers, finding one would mean your stuff had already been heisted. Closing the barn doors after the horses bolted will not bring them back, so maybe some preventive measures...? Just sayin' I don't think they'd be any more of a hassle than scanning for loggers already is, so think it over.

yeah but some of the things posted on that website are ridiculous....not to mention bad for gaming =D idk if its true anymore....but windows firewall used to be terrible for pings

 

[Kommander_Kink]

so not even like my pcitures or school work? thats all i save anyway. i was going to nuke my pc tomorrow afternoon i think

Those are okay, I'm talking about programs like Paint Pro, Adobe Photoshop and programs that are associated with scanners and printers and even video converting software.