Browser Bugs!!!! Helppppp....

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Sun May 13, 2007 4:07 pm

It's suprising that I got through to this site. It seems as if there is a browser bug that is redirecting my web pages. (i.e. http://www.google.com will automatically switch me to goodhotsex.com or something of that sort)

Does anyone know how to stop this?

Cheers....

Dash-Ate · Post by **Dash-Ate** » Sun May 13, 2007 4:28 pm

I dunno but I run this progam Spybot

every so often. And it always picks up stuff

http://www.download.com/3000-8022-10122137.html

happy_flyer · Post by **happy_flyer** » Sun May 13, 2007 5:03 pm

Definitely a browser hijack...spybot and adaware ( both on download.com ) should help ...

hydro · Post by **hydro** » Sun May 13, 2007 5:09 pm

Definitely sounds like spyware. Like Dash-ate says, try spybot, or one of the other anti spyware/malware cleaners out there.

Some types of spyware will also block you from visiting anti-sypware sites (symantec, lavasoft etc), or search engines to stop you from being able to fix the problem. If this happens, you may need to manually edit your hosts file in Windows.

Directions: http://malektips.com/spyware_adware_0017.html

I would recommend a spyware program first. If that doesn't work, or you're unable to download one, use that link.

hydro

bandaid · Post by **bandaid** » Sun May 13, 2007 6:05 pm

Got to stop looking at pornon the internet.

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Sun May 13, 2007 7:09 pm

No, I don't use my computer to view such material. I can't think of anyone in my household that would. However, this bug only comes into affect when using the google search engine.

The spybot search said it has found and destroyed 111 programs that shouldn't be running on the computer. However, the bug is still active.

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Sun May 13, 2007 7:53 pm

Or just switch to firefox

IE7 blows dead donkeys anyways.

152 · Post by **152** » Sun May 13, 2007 9:23 pm

Your "HOSTS" file might be hijacked. There is an option in Spybot that you can check to see what is in the HOSTS file. It could be used to redirect your browser when you type in google.com and other common sites to malicious sites.

I don't have the latest version of Spybot, but in my version you have to be in advanced mode (click on the "Mode" menu in the upper left of the screen) and then some options will appear on the bottom left of the screen. Click on Tools and then in the main screen there should be an icon you have to click on called "Hosts file" or something similar.

If the Hosts file has been hijacked it will show the sites on there that you were having trouble with getting redirected. If they show up in there you should be able to click on them in the list and then click on "remove selected items". There is also an option in the Tools page called IE tweaks if you still must use Internet Explorer. Click on "IE tweaks" then check the box that says "Lock Hosts file read-only as protection against hijackers." I also recommend switching to the Firefox browser like other posters in some of the threads have said.

hydro also posted some good advice:

Some types of spyware will also block you from visiting anti-sypware sites (symantec, lavasoft etc), or search engines to stop you from being able to fix the problem. If this happens, you may need to manually edit your hosts file in Windows.

Directions: http://malektips.com/spyware_adware_0017.html

I would recommend a spyware program first. If that doesn't work, or you're unable to download one, use that link.

goates · Post by **goates** » Sun May 13, 2007 10:06 pm

Not all anti-spyware programs will catch all malicious programs. One program to try is Hijack This! which will show all running processes on your PC. Some programs are very good at hiding themselves in the system but you can usually find them with this program. It doesn't automatically remove things though and takes a little more work to clean things out.

http://www.merijn.org/

Hmm, after checking the site it looks like it has been sold to Trend Micro. Looks like it is still available though.

As for where the hijacking program came from, all it takes is a malicious site and a hole in IE (or Firefox, as it is not invulnerable itself).

The only browser I know of that is basically immune from almost all security problems is Lynx. But then you would miss the wonderful pictures Haz, ISTP and others post...

http://lynx.browser.org/

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Mon May 14, 2007 3:51 am

Nothing has worked so far. This has turned out to be one hell of a bug hunt... lol.. They're hiding themselves really well! When I run a search with spybot I notice them individually, but the program doesn't recognize them as being a bug.

niss · Post by **niss** » Mon May 14, 2007 5:36 am

Golden Flyer wrote:It's suprising that I got through to this site. It seems as if there is a browser bug that is redirecting my web pages. (i.e. http://www.google.com will automatically switch me to goodhotsex.com or something of that sort)

Does anyone know how to stop this?

Cheers....

I have no clue what you are complaining about, Why would anyone dislike porno coming to them for a change. Could be worse, you could have gotten redirectid to biggaycocks.com and had a suspicious girlfriend/mother/father looking over your shoulder.

Widow · Post by **Widow** » Mon May 14, 2007 7:23 am

Is it going to Google when you type google? I could be way off base here, but if you had your search engine set to google, it may have been "inadvertantly" reset to the sex site. I had a hell of a problem with the hubbys laptop after he came home from a few weeks in camp!

bandaid · Post by **bandaid** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:48 pm

Try going to tools and then internet options, you should see a spot there to change your home page to read whatever you want it too.

Widow · Post by **Widow** » Mon May 14, 2007 12:53 pm

Or change your default search engine.

pika · Post by **pika** » Mon May 14, 2007 2:05 pm

Does the issue open several new Explorer windows or just one?

Might try this.

http://www.gold-software.com/Removeabou ... ew6351.htm

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Mon May 14, 2007 4:36 pm

No, it doesn't open multiple pages. Let me explain the situation more clearly. It doesn't always happen with google. I'm able to visit this site through another program similar to firefox.

Now, If I open inter explorer, and enter http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2, I will automatically be directed to a site about rubbish. Sometimes it's porn and other times it's not. You never know where the bug is going to bring you. This has happened to me before but my computer manufacturer let me talk to someone all the way in India to fix the problem. Frankly, I don't think I can keep up with that and the wait times. Besides, I don't have that warranty where I can call in anymore.

I'm pretty sure getting rid of them isn't crazy completed. It's just that the bastards are hiding themselves off as a regular program. Spybot view them as part of the system....

goates · Post by **goates** » Mon May 14, 2007 8:55 pm

Have you tried Hijack This? Here's a quick tutorial on it it and a forum where you can get more far more help. It sounds a lot like something has embedded itself into your system quite thoroughly. Short of reformatting this is probably the best way to isolate what is running on your system.

http://www.merijn.org/htlogtutorial.php
http://www.tomcoyote.org/hijackthis/

And another program that may help.

http://us.trendmicro.com/us/products/pe ... index.html

Golden Flyer · Post by **Golden Flyer** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:13 am

Thanks Goates. Hijackthis provided a link to this program called STOPzilla. More like Godzilla. The problem has now been fixed. Thanks to everyone. lol

goates · Post by **goates** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:28 am

You're welcome. Happy browsing!

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Tue May 15, 2007 5:16 pm

It's always gratifying to hear that another denizen of the interweb has been able to return to their regularly scheduled porn.

Browser Bugs!!!! Helppppp....

Browser Bugs!!!! Helppppp....

Re: Browser Bugs!!!! Helppppp....