google

[hibeeslass]

Hi guys Laptop doing my head in, everytime i hit internet explore to surf (i have google as my default search engine/homepage) i get redirected to another search engine i have never heard of or, i get an advert for something, most recently i'm now getting directed to pages relating to adult themed stuff, (and no i have not been looking at naughty things lol). All i can do to get to somewhere is via the URL have i got summat on me PC that shouldn't be here? Numerous scans say no.
Thanks as always x

[Huderon]

Chances are your browser has been hijacked, possibly by a "helper" app.

Try downloading and installinf the free version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware from http://www.malwarebytes.org/ and then run it. Before doing a scan, click on the tab to check for and get the latest updates, then run a quick scan to see if it finds anything. Delete anything it finds (you may need to restart your computer to finish getting rid of some things) and see if that fixes the problem.

[hibeeslass]

Thank you i'll try that an get back to you. My PC recently found, quarrentined and i subsequently deleted it, a W32/Agent.HRR virus i know how i got it my own fault but wondered if you knew anything bout that too?
TIA x

[Huderon]

You could have picked up the virus in a lot of places, including one of the sites you are being redirected to or one of the sites that the pop-ups go to. Your virus checker picked it up and quarantined it, so you know the AV is doing it's job.

But your AV program doesn't stop other nasties getting onto your computer, so running things like Malwarebytes and Lavasoft Adaware every week or so (after checking for updates of course) is a good idea.

There is also a program called Sandboxie. the free version has limitations and throws up a nag screen after 30 days, but you can run your browser within Sandboxie and when you finish everything that has been downloaded will be wiped - though there is an option to keep whatever files you want to keep. In effect it shows the world a fake view of your computer, so anything which is installed within the sandbox is wiped when you close it.

[hibeeslass]

Thanks Huderon, all sounds bit complicated i have pc guard (Virgin) with an anti spyware function and it is scanning as wee speak, do you think this is a good AV in your exprience...?
Thanks

[Huderon]

PC Guard should be fine, but install and run Malwarebytes anyway. I had an infection by a trojan earlier this year, and that was the only thing which would get rid of it.

On this PC I only have a firewall running all the time. I run Malwarebytes every couple of weeks and download an AV program and do a full scan every 3 or 4 months. I can get away with that because I'm the one who uses this PC most and I don't go to the murkier areas of the net.

The other machines here, which are used by the kids, have firewall and AV running all the time and I still do checks with other things regularly, just in case.

[hibeeslass]

Thank you so much for your help.....one last thing, please could you post a link in th ab that will take me to a malware link so i can download it, tried earlier pcdoctor i think but not very good.
think it was the wrong thing ha ha soooooooo pc illiterate......ta

[lilsecret]

http://www.malwarebytes.org/