Firefox Browser Hijack

[cool9]

Somehow you downloaded and installed a Google application or toolbar without knowing it. And the app probably automatically starts at bootup. Sometimes installing new software will install a Google, Yahoo or other application. (My Firefox has been working fine lately - I haven't updated Flash or Java recently. The new Flash or Java update probably installed this Google app on your PC.)

Run "hijackthis" (free software) and it will scan PC and it will look at all the applications, toolbars, etc. that are running (including malware) and it will print a log (see attached txt). You can go to a Malware Forum and they will analyze the log to see if there's unnecessary or dangerous applications running. Then they will show you how to get rid of it properly.

You can also go to Startup-> Run->type "msconfig" and click on Startup tab and it will tell you what programs automatically start at bootup and apps that are running (Services tab). You can manually stop the programs you don't want running and/or starting at bootup. (eg. You can disable Google toolbars, etc.)

 

[Andyman]

Yes it probably did get added with a Java or Adobe update. They are nefarious for having "install this piece of malicious crap software" automatically checked when you do an update.

Yep, lots of programs bundle toolbars and add-ons with their installs. Look for al the checkboxes and make sure you only install what you want and not what they generously "give" you.

 

[KingBubba]

Yup. I have been boned by toolbars in the past and also f**king McCafee with Flashplayer. This is not a toolbar thing. There are no toolbars, AVG, Google or otherwise on my machine anywhere. This is not a msconfig issue, I believe this is purely within the browser. Everything I have read has shown this not to be a Firefox issue, but rather a browser problem for the people who have it. Since I posted this thread, I have not been hijacked, but it has gone this long before and then suddenly returned.

I love the internet, but since my drive-by attack, which I have suspected while being on AK, browsing is no longer fun. With all the blockers and addons that I have to figure out and allow to let me look at pages, It is just becoming too much damn work. I check my email, read the news on yahoo, go to AK, go to the bank and Vanguard and that is it anymore. I am too scared to snoop around because I don't want to have to spend the 14 - 20 hours to reload Windows. I bought Ghost to try to create a HD image for a backup, but it is so complicated that you have to have an engineering degree to figure it out and use it. I just don't have the time or the inclination to do all this crap and try to keep up with all the technology changes. I don't even have a cell phone and my wife still uses an old Razr because neither of us is in the mood for another learning curve. I used to be considered a computer whiz and a goto guy, but not any more. I guess I'm feeling old and tired recently.

 

[Me Tarzan]

Make a partition on your hard drive and install Linux. Either Ubuntu or Slackware or whatever... If you have not used Linux since the Red Hat day or never before you will be pleasantly amazed at how similar it is to more common operating systems. Once you get used to it, and I am sure you will, you can partition your drive specifically for Linux and rock on! Your system files will be on their own partition so fixing any problem is quick and easy. You could even have 10 partitions with 10 versions of Linux if you like. All free of course and almost ZERO worries of hijacking. All updates are done by people that hate hijacking more than you and will likely fix any problems before they happen. DO IT NOW!

 

[cool9]

There are no toolbars, AVG, Google or otherwise on my machine anywhere

You're right. It's a redirection application which Hijackthis can spot and you can manually delete it. Maybe you can do the same with Regcleaner. At least it's not a dangerous virus or spyware. You can get Hijackthis at MajorGeeks and other places.