Today I thought I would take a moment to discuss a serious issue that many of my friends and co-workers have experienced while doing Google web searches. There is something called the Google redirect virus which is an attack that hijacks Google search results and redirects the browser to unwanted malicious websites. The Google redirect virus is a well hidden malware program and its removal is nearly impossible under normal circumstances. Usually, TDL3 Rootkit or some other rootkit infection causes the Google redirect virus. It gets installed through a trojan horse and it hides your google search results and replaces them with spam advertisements or websites which promote malware or some other online scam. The Google Redirect Virus is not easily detected by Anti-virus programs and other security software and so its removal becomes even more difficult. By the way, it does not matter if you use Internet Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome, the redirect virus affects all 3. Some people have even said that it affects other search engines such as Yahoo and Bing. I have only seen it affect Google searches.
I have come across this redirect virus over 30 times now and I've been able to clean it everytime. It is very difficult to clean manually so I recommend using an application known as FixRedirectVirus - a particular application which has been developed by a computer technician within the UK to eliminate the redirect virus on your computer. The owner of the software is so confident that the procedure will work that he is offering a 60 day full money-back guarantee. It may be worth it to get this issue resolved as fast as possible before it gets worse.
Download FixRedirectVirus
Showing posts with label Spyware. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spyware. Show all posts
What to do When Your Favorite Malware Tools Fail
Try another one! Recently, I ran into some hardcore malware that was undetectable when I used my normal favorite two removal tools: Malwarebytes and Superantispyware. Mostly, I run into this problem with root-kit malware that is apparently undetectable at times.
But then there is program called Hitman Pro 3.5 that I discovered recently which, no joke, found the root-kit within seconds of being launched. I sat there for 30-40 minutes with the other tools and they found nothing. Hitman pro 3.5 found the malware within seconds!!! I rebooted the device and problem was solved.
What I like about Hitman Pro is that there is an install option that allows you to just run it once. Since it is a free application (there is a paid version), running it once keeps you legal if you need to run it on multiple PCs for a business or company that will not spend money for a corporate license.
So the next time, you think you are out of options, get a second opinion from Hitman Pro.
But then there is program called Hitman Pro 3.5 that I discovered recently which, no joke, found the root-kit within seconds of being launched. I sat there for 30-40 minutes with the other tools and they found nothing. Hitman pro 3.5 found the malware within seconds!!! I rebooted the device and problem was solved.
What I like about Hitman Pro is that there is an install option that allows you to just run it once. Since it is a free application (there is a paid version), running it once keeps you legal if you need to run it on multiple PCs for a business or company that will not spend money for a corporate license.
So the next time, you think you are out of options, get a second opinion from Hitman Pro.
SuperAntiSpyware better than Malwarebytes Anti-Malware?
The answer to this question depends on which type of spyware or malware your PC has been attacked by. Recently, a variant of the Vundo trojan blocked me from installing Malwarebytes and that never happened before. So, I remember reading on Technibble an article about another spyware removal tool called SuperAntispyware. I installed this new tool and immediately, it detected the Vundo variant plus about 200 other issues. SuperAntiSpyware is free to install and use and is now being added to my personal tool list for spyware and malware removal. Of course, the free version does not auto-protect the computer so you would need to purchase the Professional addition to enable that support. But from all of the reviews on Technibble, it is definitely worth it.
Here is a link to download either version: SuperAntiSpyware
Here is a link to download either version: SuperAntiSpyware
Unable to Complete Genuine Windows Validation
Ok....time to give credit where it is due. Miekiemoes helped me finish getting my friend's laptop back to normal tonight. If you read her post about the VIRUS ALERT! next to your system clock, you will discover exactly how fix this issue...I mean exactly....no joke....seriously. This post is so detailed that I actually made a joke in my comment to her asking if she created the virus! I worked on this laptop for 4 hours last night where at least I was successful in removing the virus categorized as Trojan horse agent.zak from his AVG scan. But the Trojan does some very strange things as Miekiemoes touches upon:
1) After pressing the start menu, most of your normal options are gone (like control panel, my documents, log off, etc). Apparently, the Trojan disables these items in an attempt to stop you from being able to remove the Trojan.
2)It also disables the registry (regedit.exe). Fixing spyware/virus laden computer in the past, getting into the registry is a MUST. I was shocked when I got a message saying "Your administrator has disabled registry access". Uh, hello, I was logged on as the Administrator!
3) Adds VIRUS ALERT! after the clock down in the system tray. Also in the Computer Properties area.
4)But the most annoying issue is the fact that the Trojan actually manages to delete your Windows Product ID. This then causes Microsoft to determine that your PC now has an illegal copy of Windows XP!!! Incredible! I've never seen a virus/spyware do something like this before!
As stated above.....I fixed everything based on the instructions listed here in Miekiemoes blog. If this ever happens to you, be sure to check her blog first.
1) After pressing the start menu, most of your normal options are gone (like control panel, my documents, log off, etc). Apparently, the Trojan disables these items in an attempt to stop you from being able to remove the Trojan.
2)It also disables the registry (regedit.exe). Fixing spyware/virus laden computer in the past, getting into the registry is a MUST. I was shocked when I got a message saying "Your administrator has disabled registry access". Uh, hello, I was logged on as the Administrator!
3) Adds VIRUS ALERT! after the clock down in the system tray. Also in the Computer Properties area.
4)But the most annoying issue is the fact that the Trojan actually manages to delete your Windows Product ID. This then causes Microsoft to determine that your PC now has an illegal copy of Windows XP!!! Incredible! I've never seen a virus/spyware do something like this before!
As stated above.....I fixed everything based on the instructions listed here in Miekiemoes blog. If this ever happens to you, be sure to check her blog first.
Top 10 Reasons to Hate Spyware
Ever since I've been helping people fix or repair their computers, spyware & computer viruses are usually the two culprits for most of their concerns. For the purposes of this article, we will only discuss spyware.
Here is a list of the top 10 activities that spyware can do after its installed on a PC: (By the way, these are in random order off the top of my head)
1) Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
2) Scan files located on your hard drive.
3) Snoop through applications on your desktop.
4) Install other spyware programs into your computer just by activating itself.
5) Read your cookies to interpret information.
6) Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.
7) Change the default settings on your home page web browser. (Usually the homepage is changed to some random porn site)
8) Mutate into a second generation of spyware (see # 4 above) making it more difficult to eradicate.
9) Cause your computer to run slower....and slower....and slower......
10) Deliver annoying pop up advertisements basically causing your PC to lock up due to lack of available RAM.
Ok......I just thought about 2 more so now its a Top 12 list........
11) Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliate’s settings.
12) Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult or actually impossible to remove.
Stay tuned.....next we will discuss ways to remove spyware.
If you think you may have a virus instead, read my article on how not to get a virus.
Here is a list of the top 10 activities that spyware can do after its installed on a PC: (By the way, these are in random order off the top of my head)
1) Monitor your keystrokes for reporting purposes.
2) Scan files located on your hard drive.
3) Snoop through applications on your desktop.
4) Install other spyware programs into your computer just by activating itself.
5) Read your cookies to interpret information.
6) Steal credit card numbers, passwords, and other personal information.
7) Change the default settings on your home page web browser. (Usually the homepage is changed to some random porn site)
8) Mutate into a second generation of spyware (see # 4 above) making it more difficult to eradicate.
9) Cause your computer to run slower....and slower....and slower......
10) Deliver annoying pop up advertisements basically causing your PC to lock up due to lack of available RAM.
Ok......I just thought about 2 more so now its a Top 12 list........
11) Add advertising links to web pages for which the author does not get paid. Instead, payment is directed to the spyware programmer that changed the original affiliate’s settings.
12) Provide the user with no uninstall option and places itself in unexpected or hidden places within your computer making it difficult or actually impossible to remove.
Stay tuned.....next we will discuss ways to remove spyware.
If you think you may have a virus instead, read my article on how not to get a virus.
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