Computer Security & Viruses/Search Engine

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Expert: - 12/27/2009


Question
Why does my computer keep redirecting me to an unknown search engine when I'm surfing the web?

Answer
Your computer is infected with adware which feeds you ads and directs you to a special search engine that gives you lots of questionable -- perhaps fraudulent -- web sites.  

You need to install a complete Internet security suite, one that includes not just antivirus but also anti-adware, anti-spyware protection. You should either upgrade your current antivirus product to include these protections, or buy a new product and uninstall your old one. Antivirus programs fight each other, so you should only have one installed at any time.

Computer Security & Viruses

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Carolyn Meinel

Expertise

I cover Windows, Linux, TCP/IP and Ethernet security questions. I do not cover Mac, smart phones, or other networking issues.

Experience

Books by Carolyn Meinel: wrote a chapter for The Hacking of America book (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1567204600/happyhacker) My article Code Red for the Web for Scientific American was reprinted in the book Best American Science Writing 2002 (see http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0060936509/happyhacker). My book The Happy Hacker: A Guide to Mostly Harmless Hacking is now in 4th edition with a Japanese edition (see http://happyhacker.org/hhbook/).

Organizations
IEEE, AAAS

Publications
See a list with some online links at http://cmeinel.com

Education/Credentials
MS, Industrial Engineering, The University of Arizona Took a course in computer forensics at the University of Texas at Austin/

Past/Present Clients
DARPA, SAIC, Palmer Labs

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