Expert: Lorry - 9/14/2009

Question
Lorry,

It began when I opened my computer to search for something on google.  I type what I want to search for in the box, it brings up the results; standard procedure.  However, when I click on one of links on the results page, I am redirected to a different site/advertisement/search engine.  This is the same for all of the search engines I have tried, google, yahoo, ask...every one of them. I get redirected to something that I was not searching for.  

AVG 8 is on my computer.  I ran a scan and it found nothing.  I then proceeded to download Spybot.  Once installed, I ran a scan, but it stopped shortly after it started, and closed itself.  I tried re-opening Spybot, but it said that I may not have permission to access it.  I installed and reinstalled several times.  And in the process of trying to get Spybot to work, my AVG went out.  

The Resident Shield of AVG is deactivated and I cannot seem to turn it back on.  I click on the ticker to do so and save the changes, but it still says that it is disabled.  I downloaded CCleaner successfully, ran a clean, but the problems persisted, nothing changed.
I then proceeded to download Ad-Aware Anniversary Edition.  Once installed, an error identical to the Spybot error arose.  I tried running a scan, shortly after the scan started the program closed.  When I tried opening Ad-Aware again, I get this message "Connection Error" "Failed to connect to service."
I know this is a lot to take in, but I wanted to put every detail.  Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Adam,

Using Internet Explorer, go to:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/WelcomePage.asp

Click "Continue to Symantec Security Check", in the next window click No when asked if you want to close this window, that will bring you to a window where you should click Virus Detection.

Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to: http://www.symantec.com/search/  and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.

I would also suggest downloading Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.37 from:

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html

If you cannot do the above, download the trial version of Norton AntiVirus, put it onto a CD, then install onto your computer.

https://shop.symantecstore.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayPage&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=symnahho&id=QCShoppingCartPage

You could do the same with Malwarebytes.

Hope this helps!
Lorry