Expert: Keith Davis - 3/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Ask.com is trying to commandeer my browser.  I do not like them mainly becuz they have come uninvited.  Please tell me how to get rid of them  My lates venture was Posted: Sun Jan 04, 2009 11:46 pm    Post subject:    

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I had this very same damn problem. The solution is wicked easy.  

1. Go to File -> Open Location
2. Type about:config and press Enter
3. Accept responsibility for your actions
4. Scroll down to the string entry marked "keyword.url"
5. Right-click the entry and left-click "Modify".
6. Insert this string in the field:
http://www.google.com/search?btnI=I%27m+Feeling+Lucky&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=
7. Click OK
8. Close the config window.
did not work  IE7  WinXP  serv pk 3

ANSWER: This does not look like a solution to me. It looks like the problem. Has ask.com hijacked your homepage?
Are you running any anti-spyware and anti-virus software?


Let me know.

Keith

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I usually use igoogle 4 homepage but 4 some reason msn keeps trying 2 come in I think connected to Zanga I was watching tv on hulu and I got an email about a site b4 I realized what i had done xanga was in i run norton now t on usually run avg my tech person put norton on hehad fixed a prob 4 me put on norton system works no virus protect i thought i was protected teenager hit limewire now 161 bucks later i am crazy been under attack all weekend went  2 add remove took out ask and ronsadblue sky now google toolbar gone and ask still there

Answer
This is just in my experience of the last 6-7 years with no virus' or malware.
I use AVG free- You can get it from this link: http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html
If you want to use it instead of Norton's you will need to uninstall Norton's before installing AVG. They don't work well together.

I would also download and install Spybot Search and Destroy. Download it from here: http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html
Install it, update, and run a scan. See what it detects and click fix problems. Spybot has a great help file that will teach you to use all of it's tools. It not only detects and fixes problems but also gives real time protection.
Let me know if and what it finds and if it fixes the problems.
Limewire is probably where the problem came from.

Keith