Search Engine results are redirected, why?

Question

As of a few days ago, I have been experiencing a bothersome problem. Whenever I use Yahoo, Mozilla, Google etc. I get a redirect when I click on a result. 

For example - I was looking for information about the Dominican Republic. A number of site suggestions popped up. However, no matter which result I click on, I get redirected and a different search engine comes up. I usually end up on a site that offers up sales items, ie travel agencies, cheap flights, hotels. 

Unless I type in the actual site address, from one of the result sites shown, I get redirected. 

What's worse, is that I can't even use the back button to go back to the yahoo, mozilla, google page, I'm plain out stuck.

I have run anti virus, malware, spy bot search and destroy... but all of that comes up clean. What can I do?

sandy · Accepted Answer

use hitman pro its a 30 day trial but its very good it will rid u of this virus get at cnet.com good luck

Anonymous · Answer

It sounds to me your PC have joined the countless computers that are infected with the "Search Redirect Virus". This virus will redirect you when you click a link from a search result in any major search engine. It may also effect Youtube and Myspace. What makes it virus totally unique is that it cannot be detected by your average anti virus/spyware.

It seems impossible that it cannot be detected, however the reason this happens is due to how the virus infects computers. Instead of following other viruses and attempting to install a software package on your PC, which the anti virus can intercept and stop the infection, the Redirect Virus can infect system files, so it hides from the anti virus.

The virus works by taking advantage of the way search engines link to results. When you make a search normally, the search engine directs you to another search engine link and then onto your desired site. This step can now be intercepted by the infected system file, which redirects you to advertisements and other irrelevant websites.

The only way I can recommend you remove this virus is ComboFix. I say this because I have used this program hundreds of times and it hasn't let me down in removing the virus totally and completely from the system. I always use this tutorial as it provides the best step by step instructions I have seen about this situation:

http://www.personalcomputerfixes.com/spyware/how-to-remove-the-google-redirect-virus/

? · Answer

bugs/malware/viruses.

They can set proxies, to remove the proxy:  in IE: tools->options->connections->lan settings button toward bottom of window-> and uncheck the boxes that say proxy.

Then download malwarebytes, update it, and run a full scan.  

Just removing the proxy may work, but when you restart the computer or simply IE, then it will be back

Mike S · Answer

http://www.ehow.com/how_5842581_remove-google-redirect-virus.html

Here is the link on information on how to remove the redirect virus........

? · Answer

Please follow this removal guide ~ http://deletemalware.blogspot.com/2010/02/remove-google-redirect-virus.html
I hope this helps. I know it did for some other people. Good luck!

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Search Engine results are redirected, why?

5 Answers