Comments for Why is my browser being redirected?

Comment from Bill Snyder on 2009-10-06

2009-10-06T21:40:39Z

I am working a relatives desktop computer that has some kind of redirect virus. Any time you go on any browser, Internet Explorer or Firefox, the homepage will redirect you to a chinese "Prima Hosting page cannot be found" website. Before that it was Baidu chinese search engine, but i got rid of that one virus. If i use the search toolbar in the top right corner I will be redirected several times. I've tried uninstalling the web browsers and reinstalling, I've removed Norton and installed AVG, but that didn't even work. I've tried A-squared and combo-fix, still nothing. I've looked up the Google redirect virus in the registry and can't find it. Any answers please let me know. Thank you

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Comment from Ricky Bohan on 2009-03-29

2009-03-29T17:08:11Z

I'm just posting because I think I may have a solution to some of your problems.

Apparently, quite recently a worm called Conflicker (also known as downadup, downup, and kido) has been spreading over the internet at a very rapid pace. The symptomes include:

* Google search redirecting
* Antivirus updating has been disabled (you may see the "unable to connect" message when trying to update your antivirus)
* Unable to view websites related to Antivirus software (you may see the "sorry this website is not available" message)
* And alot of popups

I have found that these are all results of Conflicker. It only affects Windows operating systems based on an exploit. Search for and download this patch for Windows "MS08-067". I googled it and found it. When I installed the patch, everything on my computer went back to normal. I can even perform my Antivirus updates, and surf freely without having my google pages redirected all the time. Hopefully it will work for you too.

[link removed]

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Comment from King Kwong on 2009-03-06

2009-03-06T08:31:48Z

I use IE6 on Win XP

When I first open IE, I am always redirected to http://www.microsoft.com/taiwan/windows/internet-explorer/download-ie.aspx?ocid=fwlink_ie6_updates.

But when I click "Home", I can always go back to the first page set up in Tool -> Internet option?

Why? Can I disable this redirection?

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Comment from Eric on 2009-03-04

2009-03-04T18:12:25Z

I recently repaired a machine that was getting redirected only in google. It appears that the host file had been re-written and included hundreds of sites to go to all dealing with google. I found myself unable to edit and save, or create a new and copy over the old. What wound up having to happen was I created a new folder (Location: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc)called etc2. I copied the contents of the original etc folder. Everything exept the host file. I opened the old host file in notepad and edited the sites out. I then saved as to the new directory etc2. I then renamed the old etc folder to etc3. I changed the name of the new etc2 to etc. Attempted to use google and it works fine. What a pain in the A@@, but it worked. I have been on 100 different sites that direct to all over the place, but found nothing that could help me. I hope others are able to use this method and benifit from my pains.

One quick note is that the host file is a protected file and does not show up in the folder unless you go to tools, folder options,view, scroll down the lise and uncheck hide protected operating system files.

If the hosts file is locked or inaccessible, I'd also try just rebooting in safe mode, or booting using a Linux Live CD. Since hosts is just plain text, it's easily editable regardless of what OS you're in.

- Leo
05-Mar-2009

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Comment from Kevin Huttenlocher on 2009-03-03

2009-03-03T19:20:55Z

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IE and FireFox and Windows Explorer will browse forward for sometimes less than a second and sometimes for up to almost 10 seconds. Examples.. My IE and FF start page is Google.com. If I start FF its OK as long as I stay at the start page. If I want to go to ebay or anywhere, it goes there for a second or a few seconds and then returns to the start page. The aol browser is OK and never malfunctions. I use Mcafee security that comes with aol. At this point just for more info, the forward green arrow is highlighted indicating that I have backed up the browser. If I click the forward arrow to attempt to go forward again to ebay, it will act the same and return to the start page again. Additionally, If I were to use anything that uses the Windows Explorer browser, the same thing will happen. Example... Start button/explore, cannot stay fixed - always reverses. I have run every adware/malware that another experienced tech on another popular site told me to and he is puzzled. I have uninstalled and then reinstalled FF. I have run ATF cleaner. I have run Malwarebytes Anti-malware and SDfix. no changes. I am submitting the asked for logs here.Also, copy and paste works intermittantly but mostly not. When the browser works (which is every now and then) the copy and paste function works normal as well.

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Comment from patrick on 2008-11-29

2008-11-29T16:43:58Z

I had success with an anti virus called "fix it utilities 9".It found files infected with adware and spyware when it was in DEEP SCANN MODE.It immediately quarantined the files. Although the insructions claim the computer would be fine with the files in quarantine it was not until i deleted them(as an option from the qurantined files page)that my computer was fully functional.The results were intantaneous.My sound driver had to be reinstalled after this,since i had no sound at all,I assume this was a complication from the virus(s).I hope this helps.This website helped quite a bit.Thanks.

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Comment from Tom on 2008-11-25

2008-11-25T16:05:35Z

Here you go:

best in safe mode:

Delete this folder in bold.
C:\Program Files\TinyProxy\

Delete these files in bold.
C:\windows\kennyxx.exe
C:\windows\fmark2.dat

Remove the Proxy setting in Internet explorer and/or in FireFox.

In IE: Tools Menu -> Internet Options -> Connections Tab ->Lan Settings > uncheck "use a proxy server" or reconfigure the Proxy server again in case you have set it previously.

In Firefox in Tools Menu -> Options... -> Advanced Tab -> Network Tab -> "Settings" under Connection.

Click the apply button and restart that computer.

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Comment from Tom on 2008-11-25

2008-11-25T15:16:48Z

I have been on the trail of this one. Seems to only affect google searches. I have made some headway. Found a folder in program files called "tinyproxy" it wasnt empty so after changing it from read only I descovered a hidden file called "tinyproxy.exe". When I rename it and stop the process I can no longer access the internet. It appears my browser is being redirected using this proxy somehow. havent worked it out yet though. Hopefully I have put you guys on the trail too.

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Comment from Bruce on 2008-11-24

2008-11-25T00:16:20Z

I've recently been unable to download any updates from Mcafee or AVG, am getting re-directed all the time and can't seem to find the problem. Lots of pop-ups which can't be turned off. Every time I go to a site that has anti-virus software, I get a message that says "Sorry, this website is not available" in bad spelling no less. If I click on a sight from a search, I won't get to the address I'm after but sometimes if I copy the sites address and paste it into my browser, it will take me to the correct site. Still no ability to download any anti-virus software. I've spent days fighting this one, any help would be appreciated.....

It's pretty clear you have malware that is blocking your attempts to get anti-malware software. I would download anti-virus and anti-spyware software using a different computer, and try installing it on the problematic one booted in safe mode. Good luck!

- Leo
25-Nov-2008

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Comment from Brian on 2008-11-11

2008-11-11T17:33:29Z

same problem as above - HELP!

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Comment from brandon on 2008-10-24

2008-10-24T21:13:35Z

Hi Leo,

My google seems to work fine... it finds what i want but when i click on the link it redirects me somwhere else. I've ran avira 5 times and finds 6 threats which cannot be removed...?...
please help

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Comment from shachar on 2008-08-05

2008-08-05T13:24:49Z

hi leo

can i redirect someone web site to my website, only in my computer?

tnx shachar

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Comment from Pip on 2008-07-28

2008-07-28T08:53:31Z

i am having a similar problem to stuart above,
google allows me to carry out searches, however, when i click any of the links it finds - on the first attempt i am always re-directed, but on the 2nd or 3rd attempt i am not.
i am also unable to use the "define" function in google, and use google images (both result in an almost blank page).
i have also tested yahoo and msn search engines, but they seem to be fine. i have run spybot S&D, AVG antivirus, Adaware, malwarebytes, even had an extremely helpful person from the spybotS&D forums look at my hijackthis log, reports from smitfraud, and fixwareout, but nothing seemed to correct this problem
any help on this would be great.

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Comment from Kent on 2008-01-18

2008-01-18T22:07:27Z

I also have the same problem. I have used adaware and Spybot S&D along with Windows Defender and nothing. I think it was a popup with a fake "close" button that did it. If you figure it out, it's appreciated

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Comment from Dana on 2008-01-03

2008-01-04T00:22:03Z

I am also having the exact same problem as Stuart. I ran adaware and it did not fix the problem. any suggestions would be appreciated.

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Comment from Ton on 2007-07-30

2007-07-30T22:43:13Z

i am also having the same problem on my xp. on the third try it works. but the first and 2nd doe's not work. how do fix it? and i tried fixing by editing the host file.

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Comment from Faron on 2007-02-06

2007-02-06T15:15:21Z

I also have the same exact problem as K5steve87 being redirected 1st and 2nd time but working correctly when clicking on a Google search result. I have updated windows defender and ran it to no avail. I am running the most current Norton’s Antivirus with the latest definitions. It still doesn’t catch the culprit
Thanks for any help
Faron

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Comment from k5steve87 on 2007-01-29

2007-01-30T04:28:54Z

I am also having the same problem with being redirected the 1st and 2nd but on the 3rd attempt it goes to the right spot and i have ran a couple of different sprware programs

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Comment from Mike on 2007-01-20

2007-01-20T15:15:25Z

I am also having the exact same problem as Stuart. I ran adaware and it did not fix the problem. any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

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Comment from Stuart Rennie on 2007-01-19

2007-01-19T16:15:18Z

Hi Leo

I am also being redirected on every first and second occasion I enter a search into google and click on the intended results. On the third occasion it will take me into the intended sites. I also now have a home page of http://assureprotection.com/ which I cannot remove along with a protection bar I did not have previously. Any help with this would be great.

Regards

Stuart

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Comment from Leo Notenboom on 2006-10-07

2006-10-08T03:08:21Z

That's incorrect. hosts is used by the operating system, and affects all programs accessing the internet. It actually dates back to Unix (or possibly earlier).

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Comment from Alex on 2006-10-07

2006-10-08T02:22:52Z

I doubt too many Spyware/MalWare inserted "itself into your browser". 99% just edit the HOST file. Host file only affects Internet Explorer. Its just a text file which redirects IE. IT was made for good but it is a stupid idea and is a HIGHLY EXPLOITALBE. To Fix download Mozilla Firefox... No worries...because no HOST FILE.

Note: a REAL(not lame spyware) virus could hijack your entire browser in that case your in over your head...time to refomat

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Comment from dsu on 2005-11-04

2005-11-04T18:00:00Z

Also make sure you set a new recovery point if you are using XP. If you have to restore it will also restore the malware.

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