Topic: Browser getting hijacked

[ober]

So my wife keeps saying that her browser keeps redirecting her.  I've run spybot, malwarebytes and my virus software.  Spybot removed some stuff, malwarebytes removed something else and the virus software isn't turning up anything.  And it's not redirecting all the time.  It's like 1/5 or 1/10 links get redirected to a handful of sites.  This is one of them (I don't recommend clicking on that in case it infects you):

http://www.vw.com/en/commercials/2012/game-day/dog-strikes-back.html?tc=semc-gm-brnd-sbxlvi-bee-admp

The other sites are ones I've never heard of.

The other weird thing is that Spybot cannot immunize/update the global hosts file on her laptop.  It keeps saying AVG or a firewall might be blocking it but we have the same AVG and same OS on my desktop and it updates the host file fine on mine.

Anything else I might try?  And does anyone know why Spybot keeps getting blocked on the hosts file?

[kermi3]

What about the host file?  Something funky happening there?

http://lifehacker.com/5594593/hostsman-edits-your-powerful-net-filters-and-site-blocks

[ober]

There is nothing in it except for the typical 127.0.0.1.  Like I said, I can't get Spybot to update it with all of their typical stuff, which is what I want it to do.  Maybe I'll try that app in the article.

[Mike]

Use Chrome


Or stop surfing porn

[ober]

She's using FF.  And I'm pretty sure she's not looking at porn. 

[Mike]

She's using FF.

Well, there's your problem.

And I'm pretty sure she's not looking at porn. 

Well, there's your problem.


Seriously, I have seen sites using JS that redirect your window.  That'd be my main suspect.

[Steve]

Yea im with mike. Ashleys laptop has zero infections, but this comes and goes with FF. Never with chrome.

[KnuckleBuckett]

Stop the use Chrome bullshit.

Jesus Christ get the fuck over that.  It isn't funny it is old and broken.


Ben.  I just had the same issue on Marv's PC with Chrome.  I used Malwarebytes but I think CCleaner actually fixed the issue.  Can't be sure. 

Also give this a shot.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_superantispyware/

Might want to try another antivirus app.  Dunno what you are using but I have had fair luck with MS SE.
http://www.filehippo.com/download_security_essentials/

I have heard that this was a good option for locating viruses...neat concept anyhoo.
http://virscan.org/


If you find a suspicious file this may help.
http://virusscan.jotti.org/en

G'luck.  Oh and FF isn't so bad.  I use Chrome but still think of FF as just about as good.

[Mike]

Use chrome


Edit:  One of the guys I work with made a comment that he thinks FF is in league with Google's world domination plans.  That is the only reasonable explanation for FF constantly getting worse.

[KnuckleBuckett]

For gosh sake ban him for a day!

[Mike]

I changed my personal text just for you.

[KnuckleBuckett]

Just kidding... 

[Steve]

Woah, where did that come from knuck? It's an issue I have seen directly that is not present in Chrome, or hell even IE for that matter but is in FF. Many FF users report the same thing. Nobody bashed FF, but Chrome is a solid fix.

[Mike]

To be fair one of my posts can be taken as a FF bash.  But I do it out of love.

[ober]

Ok, but seriously.  Switching browsers is not a reasonable answer in most cases.  She's all setup in FF and I'm not about to switch her at this point. 

By the way... for anyone looking to use the Tool noted in kermi's link above, it's basically worthless.  I mean, yeah, if you want to edit the file you can do it with that tool, but what kind of moron needs an application to edit a text file?