What's Changing My Browser?

[willythecat]

Hi everyone,

[Windows XP, SP3, IE7]

I use IE7 and logon with my ISP set as my homepage. Up comes the homepage screen with the google toolbar above. The top line displays the http address and to the right, the search box with 'google' in feint grey lettering. The google search box on the left of the toolbar works as it should work. Everything is as it should be but now, whenever l type anything into that top right hand box, it uses www.url-search.com and not google.

Clicking the search options next to that box shows google as the default, so l clicked on find more providers which takes you to microsofts IE page.

Installed google again, pasting the url in as it says, and everything works fine for that session until l log out and log in again.

What's changing it from google to this other browser. It's probably and hopefully something so simple, but it's driving me mad.

Many thanks

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hi Willy

 

Welcome to FPCH

 

Have you ticked Google as the Default search engine?

[RandyL]

It seems you have not set the default search for IE7 correctly. Therefore you are reverting in the next session.

 

Instead of clicking on Find More Providers click on Change Search Defaults. Is Google listed there? If so click Set Default. Click OK. Or follow the next steps if that doesn't work.

 

Click on Find More Providers. Carefully follow all the steps in the yellow box. Don't take any shortcuts. Steps 1-5 are extremely important. They have to be followed exactly. Please read them carefully. Notice step 2 there.

 

You have to type in TEST in Google in another window then copy that url to the field. You can't just type in (www. google.com) Make sure you click Install when done.

[willythecat]

Hi Wolfeymole,

From tools/internet options/change search settings, my setting just shows google as the default.

From change settings/options/more, the set and keep search settings to google box is ticked.

As before, the google search box is no problem, it's the IE7 search box (if that's the correct phrase) that's the problem.

Can't see any other places where it can be changed?

Regards

[willythecat]

Hi RandyL,

Have done exactly what you said, again, as l have already tried this. (google was the only search default listed by the way)

It all works fine until l come out of IE7. When l log back in, it reverts back to this other url.

Weird, and highly annoying!

[RandyL]

Either way it's the same thing. You need to correctly set the defaults.

 

In IE Options>Search>Settings-Click on Find more providers and follow the same steps as I said.

[RandyL]

Are you saying your home page is reverting to something else or not staying what you set it as?

[RandyL]

Either way you look at it if your home page or search engine is changing after you set them correctly you have a Trojan infection. Follow our guide to clean your system then reset your options.

 

 

Your computer could be infected with Malware.

 

• Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent.
  It is a combination of the words malicious and software.
  The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.
  

• Required Cleanup Steps
  1. Disable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled
     
  2. Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF)
     
  3. Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below)
     
  4. Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below)
     
  5. Clear out old System Restore points
     
  6. If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested.
     

The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something.

The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed.

Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes.

The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours.

In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer.

Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean.

 

For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page

To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below.

From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range"

click the

Selection

choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware.

 

 

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/printer-selection.gif

 

____________________________________________

STEP 1

• Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2)
  1. Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode.
     
     
  2. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode"
     
     
  3. On the left hand side, Click on Tools
     
     
  4. Then click on the Resident Icon in the List
     
     
  5. Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts.
     
     
  6. Restart your computer.
     
     

__________________________________________________

STEP 2

• Follow these instructions carefully.
  
  
• Download ATF-Cleaner from
  Snapfiles.com
  to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware.
  
  
• You can also download it from
  Majorgeeks.com
  
  
• When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main.
  
  
• For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox
  
  
• NOTE:
  If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored
  
  
• Then click on "Empty Selected".
  
  

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner01.gif

.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner02.gif

__________________________________________________

STEP 3

• Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from
  SUPERAntiSpyware.com
  
  
  • Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files.
    
    
  • You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next.
    
    
  • You can leave the automated check for updates on.
    
    
  • You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information.
    
    
  • DO NOT
    allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings.
    
    
  • On the
    Top Left
    select the
    Scan your computer
    button.
    
    
  • Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all
    Fixed Drives
    .
    
    
  • Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so.
    
    

__________________________________________________

STEP 4

• Install and run
  Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  from
  Malwarebytes - (direct download)
  
  
  • Accept all defaults for the installer
    
    
  • Allow the program to update the definitions
    
    
  • Click on the
    Quick Scan
    and click Next.
    
    
  • If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer.
    
    

__________________________________________________

STEP 5

• Run an online scan with ESET from
  Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner
  
  
  • You
    must
    use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan.
    
    
  • If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you
    must first
    start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the
    Internet Explorer
    icon in the Start Menu and select "
    Run as administrator
    " from the popup context menu.
    
    
  • Accept the terms and click "Start".
    
    
  • Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications".
    
    
  • Click "Start" to begin the scan.
    
    
  • When completed restart your computer
    
    

__________________________________________________

Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to

Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help

and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted.

 

If required this is the download link for

TrendMicro™ HijackThis™

Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool.

 

Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one.

Please follow the instructions here

How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP

How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

[willythecat]

Thanks Wolfeymole/RandyL,

I've fixed it, but not in the way l wanted to!

Did a restore from a couple of days ago, and all is now fine. Been running spyware/virus checks all this time, hence the delay in replying, and there were no errors.

So, whilst all is now ok, doesn't really explain what happened before.

I'll leave well alone for now and see how it goes.

Thanks again for your advice.

regards