Expert: James Filmer - 8/15/2010

Question
Hi im running windos xp servce pack 2, recently my pc is playng up when searching on google many websites are redirecting. sometimes they say error, some get redirected to adwords.com jst random sites ive ran adaware and avf antivirus bt stll has problems hope you can help Thanks

Answer
First, you should upgrade to Service Pack 3
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/learn-how-to-install-windows-xp-...

Microsoft has officially dropped support and security updates for all XP versions through Service Pack 2. The only version of 32-bit XP that still qualifies for Microsoft's security patches and major bug-fixes is the Service Pack 3 edition.

Windows security updates are your first line of defense, and eventually XP3 will be phased out (though that's not yet around the corner).

Download and install one (or two) of the following applications, reboot, update, scan (complete system) and remove or quarantine all malware found.
All have a free for personal use version (some limitations). This will fix that particular problem or help me determine what to do next.

Links on Enrgy21.com/support:
SuperAntispyware
Malwarebytes
Emsisoft Emergency Kit 1.0 (scanner and malware remover doesn't require installation)
Windows Defender

Also, download and install the free Spybot S&D application, update and initiate the Immunization tool. There's other Advanced tools I'd suggest but you need to read about and understand them via their help section.

Your problem could be spyware on your system, but it could also be browser toolbar, or addon. What browser are you experiencing the problem in and do you know how disable addons and toolbars in it?