Expert: James Filmer - 8/7/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hello :) I hope you can help! For the past couple of months my browser has been acting up. When I search for anything on yahoo or google, my browser automatically redirects my search to random pages. I have to click on the link I want 15 times, very quickly to get to the page I want. This happens in Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. I have tried Avast, Adaware, Spybot and pretty much all of the recommended free software programs that are supposed to fix this, but none have fixed the problem. It also concerns me, because every once and a while, while my browser is opened up...my screen will flash off and on 3 times and the bar on the bottom turns white as though someone/something is in my computer.
Please help. Any suggestions will be appreciated!
Thanks :)

ANSWER: Hi Rose,

System? Avast, Adaware and Spybot (Advanced?) and what else? Please be more specific about anti-spyware related apps. What Avast version? You've tried it and removed it? Firewall name/version? Have you checked enrgy21.com/computertips for something you might have missed?

Added Firewall version/name in my introduction. Sorry about that.
"Expertise: Please provide basic info like the name of your system, the exact version(s) of application(s) you're having problems with, as much detailed info as possible about the problem (error messages, etc), any recent system configuration or application changes and Firewall name and version."

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

QUESTION: Oh yeah, sorry. That would be helpful, wouldn't it?
Windows Vista. I've only tried the free versions of those spyware programs. I honestly don't know what specific versions. I've uninstalled all of them. The only firewall I'm using is one that came with my Dell XPS computer. I'm assuming it's a "Windows" firewall. However, I have been keeping it off.  I have not checked enrgy21, but I've checked all of the other computer help sites and everyone says, download, "hijack this." I'm not sure I want to do that. Isn't it risky. Also, I wouldn't know how to do it mot likely.
I occasionally get error messages stating something about the "host program" being shut down. If it or anything else like that pops up, I will follow up with more detail. In the meantime, is there a general method you can give me to fix the problem?
Thanks :)

Answer
(Update- just wondering about the condition of your computer after following my advice)

You may not get all your problems fixed right away. In my opinion, you need to acquire more knowledge and understanding regarding maintaining your computer properly, security and the Internet.

Is an anti-virus, Firewall and Spybot enough to keep your system fully protected? No. Could one or more problems be a system or lack of proper maintenance issue or spyware not detected and removed.

1. Turn Windows Firewall On. Go to Windows Update - Scan for updates, install all critical updates. Do not turn off Windows Firewall (unless you replace it with a 3rd party Firewall). If it turns off without your permission, you are infected; let me know.

2. Do a full system scan for viruses, remove, reboot. Make sure your anti-virus is always updated. If Windows alerts you to a problem, make sure you stop what you're doing on the net, make it a priority to fix. However, if you are on a web site and that alert or warning pops up, ignore, close the site and make sure you have the latest anti-virus updates, Firewall is working properly, and Windows has the latest security updates.  

If you don't have an antivirus application (Avast?) running a real-time scanner (guard running in background) please get it. Avast, Avira, AVG, others - The one's I mentioned and others, are all do a good job, but as you know, they're not the only ones.

3. Spybot is free. You should at least have it on your system, update and scan maybe once a week.

There's much more I can say, but that would require some serious answers and time not provided on this site (private service).  

Also, you should not shy away from anti-spyware applications because you're not sure if any are really safe is. Check reviews from reputable web sites.

Some online forums will give you free instructions from a variety of people and sources. But, they're public and I can't speak for the those who respond. If you pay for a service, look for some kind of guarantee.

Your computer should be in better condition, but without a complete understanding of what's on your system, I can only provide the basics (and can't guarantee it will remain stable and secure).

Also, from the symptoms, you could have underlying issues that require more personalized support, but then again, everything could be OK (for a while) after you do the things I mentioned. Emisoft, Malwarebytes, Superantispyware, Windows Defender and others (some free for personal use) are all fine anti-spyware applications. Pick at least one that stays on your system and doesn't interfere with other software. If you can't configure it the way you want, or just don't like it, get another one (or more). Remember to scan for updates often and don't overlook full systems scans.