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Google Hijack Malware - Windows 7
15January2011

Posted on 01/15/2011 7:52:33 AM PST by Lando Lincoln

My computer is infected with malware that hijacks Google. I have swept with Webroot and Avast! No luck. Help?

I prefer not to get into the registry - I lack the skills.

I will be out for awhile, so thanks to all in advance.


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: antivirus; firewall; getamac; hijack; infection; malware; spyware; trylinux; virus; virusfix; windows
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To: Lando Lincoln

Just do a system restore to a date prior to when the infection happened. Don’t install any new anti-malware programs or uninstall programs, etc. The system restore will get you back to where you were - good as new.


21 posted on 01/15/2011 8:29:23 AM PST by vbmoneyspender
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To: vbmoneyspender

Recent malware is good enough to stop restore points from working.

Plus these new ones hide out in temp folders and reappear even AFTER a system restore.

Ya gotta kill ‘em where they live ;-)


22 posted on 01/15/2011 8:31:31 AM PST by Blueflag (Res ipsa loquitur)
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To: Lando Lincoln

Try this Microsoft program...
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/en/details.aspx?FamilyID=AD724AE0-E72D-4F54-9AB3-75B8EB148356&displaylang=en
....Worked for me.
I tried Malwarebytes,Spy-Bot. And I use AVG. And they did not find it.


23 posted on 01/15/2011 8:33:07 AM PST by B-52 Vet
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To: libh8er

“Linux (and Mac) are rock solid and virus proof.”

They’re virus proof?


24 posted on 01/15/2011 8:33:14 AM PST by Magic Fingers
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To: Lando Lincoln; Blueflag

I’d try the system restore first - before loading any new programs or unloading any old ones. If it doesn’t work - then go to the triple-bypass surgery.


25 posted on 01/15/2011 8:36:05 AM PST by vbmoneyspender
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To: libh8er
Actually, listening to Trolls pimping Linux or Mac and making outlandish bullshit claims that they are completely “safe and unable to get viruses.” is where helpful “advice” becomes a liability.

Either help this FReeper fix the problem, or shut the hell up. It is not at all difficult to go into the registry to fix this problem. Some laptops come with a loaded Trojan that keeps defaulting the browser to the unwanted engine.

So far as claiming that Mac, Lin-sux, (Linux) etc. don't do this is not at all true. It happens to them also. There is no such thing as a perfectly secure OS.

26 posted on 01/15/2011 8:41:45 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP ( Give me Liberty, or give me an M-24A2! (Cause I'm a nutcase....))
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To: Blueflag
Good advice!

I went to Security Essentials 6 months ago and absolutely LOVE it! It is by far the very best out there. McAfee and Norton are ripoffs and don't do half of what SE does. And SE is completely free. For the advanced professional version, the service is outstanding and the protection is amazing.

It was designed and created just for Windows. AND IT WORKS!

27 posted on 01/15/2011 8:48:07 AM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP ( Give me Liberty, or give me an M-24A2! (Cause I'm a nutcase....))
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To: Magic Fingers

Almost. Unlike windows, nothing can be installed unless you give explicit permission.


28 posted on 01/15/2011 8:51:53 AM PST by libh8er
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To: =8 mrrabbit 8=
You are right. I never get any spyware, viruses, trogans, or worms. How? Safe practices that all users should know.
29 posted on 01/15/2011 9:27:14 AM PST by Lysander (Don't stand where I told you to stand. Stand where I told you to stand.)
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To: Lando Lincoln

You may have a version of what is called “SmitFraud”. There are many variant of this and it can be removed by following these steps:

1. Download smitfraudfix here: http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.php use one of the mirrors. Download it on your computer or a friends.

2. Turn off your system restore. Many times, system restoration files will hide other installations of the malicious software.

3. Boot into safe mode WITHOUT NETWORKING and install the smitfraudfix.

4. Run smitfraudfix. When it completes, it will perform a disk clean up.

5. When it is done, restart the computer in normal mode. You may notice that your desktop background is gone, that is normal. Check and see if you are able to browse the web without problem. If so, then turn your system restoration back on.


30 posted on 01/15/2011 9:27:19 AM PST by Mr. Jazzy (God bless the United States of America and protect her from the enemies of freedom.)
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To: Lando Lincoln
Here's a set of instructions that might help.

Remove Virus Which Redirects to go.google.com | go.google.com Redirect Virus Removal tool for Windows

Once you get cleaned up a FReeper made a good recommendation IMHO. Use a tool like Clonezilla to create an image of your system drive and save it on an external partition that stores images only. If you make sure you save your docs, favorites, etc. somewhere other than your system drive and run into trouble..pop in your Clonezilla CD and your good as new in a half hour or less.

31 posted on 01/15/2011 9:45:14 AM PST by Chunga85 ("Foreclosure Fraud", TARP, "Mortgage Crisis", Bailout)
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To: libh8er
Windows is just a flawed operating system.

That is not true.

Windows is a flawless virus.


Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

32 posted on 01/15/2011 9:53:27 AM PST by The Comedian (Sarah Palin: America's last, best hope.)
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To: Lando Lincoln

Also, make sure you have the latest version of Java installed and the old versions are removed.

Use JavaRa for that. Excellent program.


33 posted on 01/15/2011 10:29:10 AM PST by Mr. Jazzy (God bless the United States of America and protect her from the enemies of freedom.)
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To: The Comedian
Windows is a flawless virus.

I stand corrected !

34 posted on 01/15/2011 10:43:48 AM PST by libh8er
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

Thanks P-F. And thanks to all. Avast! worked and cleaned it up. It took a boot scan on start-up. And it was the free version...

Here is the site:

http://www.avast.com/index


35 posted on 01/15/2011 12:15:59 PM PST by Lando Lincoln (The Democratic Party recriminations have begun.)
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To: Lando Lincoln
I also highly recommend that you go to msn.com and get the free version of Security Essentials and if you don't have the other firewall program, get that also.

Avast is a good program, but SE is by far better. I have had some minor problems using Avast in the past. They do not cover everything as thoroughly as Microsoft.

36 posted on 01/15/2011 12:25:01 PM PST by PSYCHO-FREEP ( Give me Liberty, or give me an M-24A2! (Cause I'm a nutcase....))
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To: PSYCHO-FREEP

If you have a desktop PC, Rollback RX will work wonders. You can always go back in time to the state Windows last worked right. And when you do, just delete the infected snapshot.

Voila!


37 posted on 01/15/2011 9:59:11 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: =8 mrrabbit 8=

Wow, you are a complete a$$. I’m sure I’m not the first person to tell you that.


38 posted on 03/25/2011 6:11:23 PM PDT by Professional
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To: txroadkill

Exactly... You folks involved with the “fixing”, if you’re not involved with the viruses themselves, I have noticed that you advertise on the websites the hijacked browser takes you to. I notice that these phoney websites pop up, when you enter key words of the problems you are having. Nice biz you’re in...


39 posted on 03/25/2011 6:15:17 PM PDT by Professional
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To: Magic Fingers

More or less the thing about Linux that makes it secure you cannot make any changes to your system unless you are Root in other words you have to be administrator to make changes to your OS.
The other thing is you can have different partitions for Home,Root, Boot or any other variant having your Home directory on a separate partition means you can completely reinstall your system and not touch your personal files.
Linux is nothing like it used to be it is much like windows as most functions are just point and click, you can also run a dual boot system say windows an ubuntu use ubuntu to surf the net an windows for other things! Go here to read up on Linux also you can download a distro and try it out without installing!!

http://distrowatch.com/

If you ran Linux for awhile I promise you you would find yourself booting into windows less often.


40 posted on 03/25/2011 6:39:47 PM PDT by Lees Swrd ("Arms discourage and keep the invader and plunderer in awe and preserve order in the world as well")
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