I have Windows XP with service pack 2. Am using the latest versions
of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.

In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
redirects to unwanted ad sites
automatically.

Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?

best, Aaron

You most likely have spyware or other such pest on your computer, you
need to run AV/spyware scans on your machine to find these pests and get
rid of them. See here for basic information on removing malware:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...iruses_Malware

John

aaronep@pacbell.net wrote:
> I have Windows XP with service pack 2. Am using the latest versions
> of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> redirects to unwanted ad sites
> automatically.
>
> Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> best, Aaron

You are seeing the effects of a hijackware infection!

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

Microsoft PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in
dealing with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...prid=7552&st=1

Also available via...

Consumer Security Support home page
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

Otherwise...

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2a. WinXP => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!)
in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

2b. Vista or Win7=> Run this scan instead:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm

3. Now run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
.. http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
.. http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
.. http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
.. http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Client - since 2002
www.banthecheck.com

aaronep@pacbell.net wrote:
> I have Windows XP with service pack 2. Am using the latest versions
> of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> redirects to unwanted ad sites
> automatically.
>
> Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> best, Aaron

it sounds like your browser is
hijacked.

run a program called HiJackThis.

the first few lines produced by
the log will pertain to the browser
and will likely reveal the nagging
lines that you can delete.

--
db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- ********.com
- nntp Postologist
~ "share the nirvana" - dbZen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>

<aaronep@pacbell.net> wrote in message
news:2c3850c8-8751-409e-9a00-c48594c99fa4@u18g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
> I have Windows XP with service pack 2. Am using the latest versions
> of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> redirects to unwanted ad sites
> automatically.
>
> Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> best, Aaron

On Nov 30, 11:01*am, "aaro...@pacbell.net" <aaro...@pacbell.net>
wrote:
> I have Windows XP with service pack 2. *Am using the latest versions
> of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> redirects to unwanted ad sites
> automatically.
>
> Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> best, Aaron

When encountering a system with such behavior, start here:

Perform some scans for malicious software first, then fix any
remaining issues:

Download, install, update and do a full scan with these free malware
detection programs:

Malwarebytes (MBAM): http://malwarebytes.org/
SUPERAntiSpyware: (SAS): http://www.superantispyware.com/

They can be uninstalled later if desired.

"aaronep@pacbell.net" wrote:

> I have Windows XP with service pack 2. Am using the latest versions
> of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> redirects to unwanted ad sites
> automatically.
>
> Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> best, Aaron
> .
>

Wouldn't hurt to get your machine up to date with SP3 as well.

On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:51 -0800 (PST), "aaronep@pacbell.net"
<aaronep@pacbell.net> wrote:

> I have Windows XP with service pack 2. Am using the latest versions
> of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> redirects to unwanted ad sites
> automatically.


You are infected with malware.


> Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?


Read PA Bear's message for instructions on how to proceed.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Nov 30, 10:19*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
<kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:51 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
>
> <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > I have Windows XP with service pack 2. *Am using the latest versions
> > of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> > In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> > redirects to unwanted ad sites
> > automatically.
>
> You are infected with malware.
>
> > Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> Read PA Bear's message for instructions on how to proceed.
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Thank's to all of the good persons who have replied with good solid
info!
I have seen many references to a spyware removal program called
SPYBOT.
Has anyone reading this used it, and with what success? best, Aaron

aaronep@pacbell.net wrote:
> Thank's to all of the good persons who have replied with good solid
> info!
>
> I have seen many references to a spyware removal program called
> SPYBOT. Has anyone reading this used it, and with what success?

Spybot Search and Destroy is one of the older and better freeware
antimalware (malware cleanup) applications there was/is. Although _I_ would
not now rank it as high as I once would have - it's still a great
application.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

On Dec 3, 12:18*pm, "aaro...@pacbell.net" <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> On Nov 30, 10:19*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
>
>
>
>
>
> <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> > On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:51 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
>
> > <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > > I have Windows XP with service pack 2. *Am using the latest versions
> > > of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> > > In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> > > redirects to unwanted ad sites
> > > automatically.
>
> > You are infected with malware.
>
> > > Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> > Read PA Bear's message for instructions on how to proceed.
>
> > --
> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>
> Thank's to all of the good persons who have replied with good solid
> info!
> I have seen many references to a spyware removal program called
> SPYBOT.
> Has anyone reading this used it, and with what success? * best, Aaron

Spybot has lost it's luster with me, but it is a good locator of
Internet cookies. I used to like it, but never use it anymore.

I have it installed to help other people that have issues with it, but
it has never found malicious software on my system. It finds only
cookies, but I can find cookies by myself. It is never my first
choice of things I would run when looking for malicious software.
MBAM and SAS are my first choices for free software and seem to have
much better detection mechanisms

If you choose to install Spybot, it may want to install it's TeaTimer
function which is one of the biggest consumers of Virtual Memory I
have ever seen for a background monitoring process. This can be
disabled/enabled at will of course.

Before and after you install it, do this to see what I mean:

Right click the Taskbar, choose to open Task Manager.

Click View, Select Columns, check the box that says:

Virtual Memory Size

Expand the width of the Task Manager box so you can see all the
columns.

Click the VM Size column heading once or twice to sort by VM Size
biggest to smallest, top to bottom.

Who is on top of the VM column?

On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 09:18:40 -0800 (PST), "aaronep@pacbell.net"
<aaronep@pacbell.net> wrote:

> On Nov 30, 10:19*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> > On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:51 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
> >
> > <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > > I have Windows XP with service pack 2. *Am using the latest versions
> > > of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
> >
> > > In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> > > redirects to unwanted ad sites
> > > automatically.
> >
> > You are infected with malware.
> >
> > > Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
> >
> > Read PA Bear's message for instructions on how to proceed.
> >
> > --
> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>
> Thank's to all of the good persons who have replied with good solid
> info!
> I have seen many references to a spyware removal program called
> SPYBOT.
> Has anyone reading this used it, and with what success?


First, note that the name of the program is *not* Spybot (that would
be a very negative name). The name is Spybot Search and Destroy.

Spybot Search and Destroy used to be one of the better anti-spyware
programs. It's not terrible, but it's no longer one of the better
ones. The two best ones are MalwareBytes AntiMalware and
SuperAntiSpyware. Both are available in freeware versions and I
recommend using both, not just one of them.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Dec 3, 10:54*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
<kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 09:18:40 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
>
>
>
> <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > On Nov 30, 10:19*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> > <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> > > On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:51 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
>
> > > <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > > > I have Windows XP with service pack 2. *Am using the latest versions
> > > > of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> > > > In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> > > > redirects to unwanted ad sites
> > > > automatically.
>
> > > You are infected with malware.
>
> > > > Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> > > Read PA Bear's message for instructions on how to proceed.
>
> > > --
> > > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>
> > Thank's to all of the good persons who have replied with good solid
> > info!
> > I have seen many references to a spyware removal program called
> > SPYBOT.
> > Has anyone reading this used it, and with what success? *
>
> First, note that the name of the program is *not* Spybot (that would
> be a very negative name). The name is Spybot Search and Destroy.
>
> Spybot Search and Destroy used to be one of the better anti-spyware
> programs. It's not terrible, but it's no longer one of the better
> ones. The two best ones are MalwareBytes AntiMalware and
> SuperAntiSpyware. Both are available in freeware versions and I
> recommend using both, not just one of them.
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup

Dear Ken: thank's for the suggestons! I have downloaded MalwareBytes
AntiMalware & try that. Best, Aaron

On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 18:20:21 -0800 (PST), "aaronep@pacbell.net"
<aaronep@pacbell.net> wrote:

> On Dec 3, 10:54*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> > On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 09:18:40 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
> >
> >
> >
> > <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > > On Nov 30, 10:19*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> > > <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> > > > On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:51 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
> >
> > > > <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > > > > I have Windows XP with service pack 2. *Am using the latest versions
> > > > > of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
> >
> > > > > In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> > > > > redirects to unwanted ad sites
> > > > > automatically.
> >
> > > > You are infected with malware.
> >
> > > > > Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
> >
> > > > Read PA Bear's message for instructions on how to proceed.
> >
> > > > --
> > > > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > > > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
> >
> > > Thank's to all of the good persons who have replied with good solid
> > > info!
> > > I have seen many references to a spyware removal program called
> > > SPYBOT.
> > > Has anyone reading this used it, and with what success? *
> >
> > First, note that the name of the program is *not* Spybot (that would
> > be a very negative name). The name is Spybot Search and Destroy.
> >
> > Spybot Search and Destroy used to be one of the better anti-spyware
> > programs. It's not terrible, but it's no longer one of the better
> > ones. The two best ones are MalwareBytes AntiMalware and
> > SuperAntiSpyware. Both are available in freeware versions and I
> > recommend using both, not just one of them.
> >
> > --
> > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>
> Dear Ken: thank's for the suggestons! I have downloaded MalwareBytes
> AntiMalware & try that. Best, Aaron



You're welcome. Glad to help.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

On Dec 4, 6:26*am, "Ken Blake, MVP" <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain>
wrote:
> On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 18:20:21 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
>
>
>
> <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > On Dec 3, 10:54*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> > <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> > > On Thu, 3 Dec 2009 09:18:40 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
>
> > > <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > > > On Nov 30, 10:19*am, "Ken Blake, MVP"
> > > > <kbl...@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote:
> > > > > On Mon, 30 Nov 2009 08:01:51 -0800 (PST), "aaro...@pacbell.net"
>
> > > > > <aaro...@pacbell.net> wrote:
> > > > > > I have Windows XP with service pack 2. *Am using the latest versions
> > > > > > of both Mozilla Firefox and Internet Explorer as web browsers.
>
> > > > > > In the last 10 days when I select web sites to view, the browser
> > > > > > redirects to unwanted ad sites
> > > > > > automatically.
>
> > > > > You are infected with malware.
>
> > > > > > Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance?
>
> > > > > Read PA Bear's message for instructions on how to proceed.
>
> > > > > --
> > > > > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > > > > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>
> > > > Thank's to all of the good persons who have replied with good solid
> > > > info!
> > > > I have seen many references to a spyware removal program called
> > > > SPYBOT.
> > > > Has anyone reading this used it, and with what success? *
>
> > > First, note that the name of the program is *not* Spybot (that would
> > > be a very negative name). The name is Spybot Search and Destroy.
>
> > > Spybot Search and Destroy used to be one of the better anti-spyware
> > > programs. It's not terrible, but it's no longer one of the better
> > > ones. The two best ones are MalwareBytes AntiMalware and
> > > SuperAntiSpyware. Both are available in freeware versions and I
> > > recommend using both, not just one of them.
>
> > > --
> > > Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> > > Please Reply to the Newsgroup
>
> > Dear Ken: thank's for the suggestons! *I have downloaded MalwareBytes
> > AntiMalware & try that. *Best, Aaron
>
> You're welcome. Glad to help.
>
> --
> Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
> Please Reply to the Newsgroup


Note to Ken Blake & Others: Again, thanks to all of you for your
replies!

I HAVE installed and scanned with Malaware Bytes which found 3
infections which were
erased. Unfortunately, the browser still redirects to unwanted ads.
Also, I am not able to boot up in the SAFE mode.
I press F8 when starting and the display does go to the black & white
menu page where I do scroll to open in SAFE mode option,
but then the computer reboots and returns to the same screen where I
am given the option to open in the SAFE mode.
This has repeated 4 times without success.

Any and all suggestions are again welcomed! Aaron
to

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had
expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has
since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows
Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall
Windows. A Repair Install will NOT help!

Microsoft PCSafety provides home users (only) with no-charge support in
dealing with malware infections such as viruses, spyware (including unwanted
software), and adware.
https://support.microsoft.com/oas/de...prid=7552&st=1

Also available via...

Consumer Security Support home page
https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

Otherwise...

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan! You may need to download the
MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected
machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2a. WinXP => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!)
in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

2b. Vista or Win7=> Run this scan instead:
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm

3. Now run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting requested logs
in an appropriate forum, not here.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
.. http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
.. http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
.. http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
.. http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachi...php?board=10.0,
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5,
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup,
http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting
this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA) computer repair shop.
--
~PA Bear
www.banthecheck.com


aaronep@pacbell.net wrote:
<snip>
> Note to Ken Blake & Others: Again, thanks to all of you for your
> replies!
>
> I HAVE installed and scanned with Malaware Bytes which found 3
> infections which were
> erased. Unfortunately, the browser still redirects to unwanted ads.
> Also, I am not able to boot up in the SAFE mode.
> I press F8 when starting and the display does go to the black & white
> menu page where I do scroll to open in SAFE mode option,
> but then the computer reboots and returns to the same screen where I
> am given the option to open in the SAFE mode.
> This has repeated 4 times without success.
>
> Any and all suggestions are again welcomed!