For two days know I've been battling some tenacious adware (I guess).
Suddenly started after a Google search, results pop up normal but when clicking on the links it gets redirected to random ad pages; furniture, car parts, make-up, rugs....just totally random without any resemblance to the original search topic. Using the back page function will almost always get me to a website that tells me my computer is infected and it starts a scan on a "fake" windows age.
The only thing that works is if I copy and paste the actual search result URL into the browser window.
Here are my stats:
- Windows XP
- Firefox browser (latest updates)
- Windows XP firewall
- Avira antivirus
Have downloaded and run the following:
- Spyware Doctor ( paid version)
- SuperAnti Spyware (professional version free trial)
- HitManPro 3.5 (free trial version)
All of them have "found" stuff, Trojans, bugs, beetles, crabs, whatever they're called.
Remove, contain/isolate, quarantine whatever it calls for I do it.
Ran a Windows LIve online scan (took all night) stuff found, stuff removed problem still persists.
Changed search engines in the tool bar, no change
Tried Internet Explorer, same results after a Google search.
Have done a disc clean up and registry scrub.
I've run out of ideas.........any help appreciated.