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Explorer Problem

B

Blackstream

Flightless Bird
Whenever I open Explorer, it generally opens another window on it's own that
takes me to some ad site or news site. When i use the search function,
whatever link I click on gets redirected to someother site. I've tried the
security fixes through Microsoft and they only partially remove whatever bug
is in the system. Anyone have an idea where to find these bugs and how to
remove them?
 
L

Leonard Grey

Flightless Bird
<lol> Your computer is infected by adware.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare humanum est

Blackstream wrote:
> Whenever I open Explorer, it generally opens another window on it's own that
> takes me to some ad site or news site. When i use the search function,
> whatever link I click on gets redirected to someother site. I've tried the
> security fixes through Microsoft and they only partially remove whatever bug
> is in the system. Anyone have an idea where to find these bugs and how to
> remove them?
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
Always state your full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; WinXP 64-bit SP2;
Vista SP1; Vista 64-bit SP2; Win7; Win7 64-bit) as well as your IE version
when posting in an IE-specific forum or newsgroup. Please do so in your next
reply.

One assumes you refer to Internet Explorer, not Windows Explorer.

There is a very good chance that you are seeing the effects of a hijackware
infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

Microsoft PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in
dealing with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?&prid=7552&st=1

Also available via the Consumer Security Support home page:
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

Otherwise...

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2a. WinXP => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!)
in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

2b. Vista or Win7=> Run this scan instead:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm

3. Now post the requested logs in an appropriate forum for assistance by an
expert in such matters. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!!

I can recommend the expert assistance offered in these forums:
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php, and
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002


Blackstream wrote:
> Whenever I open Explorer, it generally opens another window on it's own
> that
> takes me to some ad site or news site. When i use the search function,
> whatever link I click on gets redirected to someother site. I've tried the
> security fixes through Microsoft and they only partially remove whatever
> bug
> is in the system. Anyone have an idea where to find these bugs and how to
> remove them?
 
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