Experiencing browser hijack

Tacoma Dude · 08-09-2004, 04:04 PM

Hey everyone,

Just recently (within the last month) I've been experiencing some really BAD browser hijack. I can't go to hotmail, Amazon, or some other major traffic sites. I always get routed straight to about:search or something like that.

I bought Stompsoft Spyware Xterminator but it only seems to get rid of stuff that's there. It doesn't block anything out and I end up deleting it again later. It's supposed to take care of the browser hijack but it's not helping at all.

Any suggestions? Better software? Delete all cookies (again)?

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TDiddy · 08-09-2004, 04:15 PM

You have some spyware on there that's buried pretty deep. Have you noticed any common web address each time you get a popup? Something else to try is to use your program, or adaware, or spybot...chances are with at least one of them, it will be able to identify it, but just not remove it. Once you have it identified, Google it, and you'll likely find a solution for removing it for good.

fish · 08-09-2004, 05:09 PM

Make sure you are running an antivirus program with current microdefs and running a firewall (I like Norton). As mentioned, adaware and spybot search & destroy (run regularly) should clear you up.

Additionally, stay away from Outlook (the petrie dish of email clients) and IE (hijacker's favorite target). Try either Netscape 7.1 or Mozilla for your browser to control popups.

good luck.

98 Joes · 08-09-2004, 05:12 PM

HijackThis! will help you locate the offending program also. It's a little more manual way to get rid of the spyware, but I really cleaned up my system with it. I found all sorts of stuff that Adaware and Spybot missed.

redfox435cat · 08-09-2004, 07:55 PM

go to run and type in regedit

in search type in the about:_search or whatever is poping up. if it finds it make sure its not a microsoft driver and delet it. also look for obviouse spyware in your add/remove programs ap in the control panel.
Also I use web window killer for pop ups. http://www.webwindowkiller.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacoma Dude

Hey everyone,

Just recently (within the last month) I've been experiencing some really BAD browser hijack. I can't go to hotmail, Amazon, or some other major traffic sites. I always get routed straight to about_:search or something like that.

I bought Stompsoft Spyware Xterminator but it only seems to get rid of stuff that's there. It doesn't block anything out and I end up deleting it again later. It's supposed to take care of the browser hijack but it's not helping at all.

Any suggestions? Better software? Delete all cookies (again)?

SolidDigital · 08-09-2004, 08:19 PM

I have this too, it's called coolwebsearch or coolwwwsearch. I've tried almost everything to get rid of it with no luck... I run either adaware or cwshredder which will get rid of it for a day then I have to run the program again........ OY very annoying

good luck with it, and if you find a solution, please let us know

Tacoma Dude · 08-09-2004, 09:16 PM

Okay, I got rid of it!!!!
Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help!

Solid:
I dunno if you have the same thing as my "about:blank" issue but I Googled it just like that with the "" and I got several removal instructions.
Turns out that for my issue there was a visible and invisible driver that was causing this. You'd have to rename the visible driver and delete it after restarting BUT the invisible driver would create another one in its place. I had to download some program that would ID the invisible driver and then run in a recovery mode to rename the invisible to delete it later.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo nice not to have that danged browser hijack.

In case anyone else is running into the same issue with about:blank - here's the site I used:

http://www.akadia.com/services/about_blank_virus.html

MTL_4runner · 08-10-2004, 05:42 AM

Browser hijacks have to be one of the most annoying things there are next to spam.

Tacoma Dude · 08-10-2004, 02:26 PM

Getting rid of the hijack has gotten rid of a great deal of my spam.

*sigh*
I feel SOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo much better!
It's like finally being able to scratch that itch that you get in the center of your back!

CynicX · 08-10-2004, 07:48 PM

My fathers computer was doing the same thing...I just reformated, got the entire norton package, ALL windows updates, and locked down his router... Obvisiously that worked great to get rid of any problems, I have everything set up to run in the middle of the night, anti adware/spybots software and anti virus software. Also I informed him to avoid clicking Yes when it ask "Do you trust this site" unless its something he has heard of like Microsoft, Norton and I think and hope thats all hes heard of. I'd suggest you doing the same. Good Luck

08-09-2004, 05:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
fish Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 104	Make sure you are running an antivirus program with current microdefs and running a firewall (I like Norton). As mentioned, adaware and spybot search & destroy (run regularly) should clear you up. Additionally, stay away from Outlook (the petrie dish of email clients) and IE (hijacker's favorite target). Try either Netscape 7.1 or Mozilla for your browser to control popups. good luck. __________________ '04 V8 4WD Limited

08-09-2004, 05:12 PM	#4 (permalink)
98 Joes Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Puyallup, WA. Posts: 160	HijackThis! will help you locate the offending program also. It's a little more manual way to get rid of the spyware, but I really cleaned up my system with it. I found all sorts of stuff that Adaware and Spybot missed. __________________ Doug '94 4Runner SR5 '98 Honda CBR600F3 SJR

08-09-2004, 08:19 PM	#6 (permalink)
SolidDigital Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: va Posts: 540	I have this too, it's called coolwebsearch or coolwwwsearch. I've tried almost everything to get rid of it with no luck... I run either adaware or cwshredder which will get rid of it for a day then I have to run the program again........ OY very annoying good luck with it, and if you find a solution, please let us know __________________ 89 Deluxe Short Bed, 3.0 V6 5spd, 4x4, 31x10.5 BFG Radial Long Trails on 15x8 Pacer rims, K&N air filter, high flow cat, Dynomax 2.5" Super Turbo muffler, Sunpro tach... Fiamm 125db. low note horn Pioneer 50w x 4 cd player, Polk speakers

08-09-2004, 09:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,360	Okay, I got rid of it!!!! Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help! Solid: I dunno if you have the same thing as my "about:blank" issue but I Googled it just like that with the "" and I got several removal instructions. Turns out that for my issue there was a visible and invisible driver that was causing this. You'd have to rename the visible driver and delete it after restarting BUT the invisible driver would create another one in its place. I had to download some program that would ID the invisible driver and then run in a recovery mode to rename the invisible to delete it later. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooo nice not to have that danged browser hijack. In case anyone else is running into the same issue with about:blank - here's the site I used: http://www.akadia.com/services/about_blank_virus.html __________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

08-10-2004, 05:42 AM	#8 (permalink)
MTL_4runner Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Montreal, QC Canada Posts: 8,807	Browser hijacks have to be one of the most annoying things there are next to spam. __________________ - Jamie 1996 4Runner SR5 4X4 Auto Deckplate Mod, Hayden Tranny Cooler, Amsoil Air Filter, OME 881/906 N86C/N91SC Lift Best OBD II scan tool I have used!. .....and I am AMERICAN!

08-09-2004, 04:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
TDiddy Contributing Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Urbandale, IA Posts: 7,113	You have some spyware on there that's buried pretty deep. Have you noticed any common web address each time you get a popup? Something else to try is to use your program, or adaware, or spybot...chances are with at least one of them, it will be able to identify it, but just not remove it. Once you have it identified, Google it, and you'll likely find a solution for removing it for good.

08-10-2004, 02:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Tacoma Dude Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 8,360	Getting rid of the hijack has gotten rid of a great deal of my spam. sigh I feel SOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooo much better! It's like finally being able to scratch that itch that you get in the center of your back! __________________ Peter! 2002 Tacoma 1986 4Runner

08-10-2004, 07:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
CynicX Contributing Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,371	My fathers computer was doing the same thing...I just reformated, got the entire norton package, ALL windows updates, and locked down his router... Obvisiously that worked great to get rid of any problems, I have everything set up to run in the middle of the night, anti adware/spybots software and anti virus software. Also I informed him to avoid clicking Yes when it ask "Do you trust this site" unless its something he has heard of like Microsoft, Norton and I think and hope thats all hes heard of. I'd suggest you doing the same. Good Luck __________________ 06 Subaru WRX

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