Address bar search hook

  • Thread starter Thread starter Corey G
  • Start date Start date
C

Corey G

I need help changing my configuration on internet
explorer with regard to the search function. I normally
type in a word or name of something directly into the
address bar and it used to default to the MSN search
engine. Now when I do it, it defaults to a site by the
name of clear search.com. How do I change it back??
 
Corey G said:
I need help changing my configuration on internet
explorer with regard to the search function. I normally
type in a word or name of something directly into the
address bar and it used to default to the MSN search
engine. Now when I do it, it defaults to a site by the
name of clear search.com. How do I change it back??
Click to expand...

Get and run these programs (if you test after each one you can stop when
the problem is gone):
Ad-Aware:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Once installed make sure to update via online before scanning!
and
Spybot - Search & Destroy -
http://security.kolla.de/
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
http://spybot.eon.net.au/
http://www.tomcoyote.org/SPYBOT/
Once installed make sure to update via online before scanning!
and
BHO Demon: http://www.spywareinfo.com/downloads/bhod/

Until the problem is solved.

Further advice available here:

If the problem site is your home page:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers.htm#home_page

If the problem is a pop-up window, your computer may have been hijacked.
For information about pop-up windows, how to get rid of them, and prevent
them in the future have a look at the link below:
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm#pop_up
 
Thank you for the advice. The ad-aware program removed
the browser hijacker from my computer but now when I try
to perform a search through the address bar it follows
with a page saying "the page cannot be displayed" and
this URL address is in the address field.. "http:///?%
20cars". I typed in the word "cars" to test it. Can you
offer any advice on how to get it back to the default
Microsoft search engine???
 
Corey G said:
Thank you for the advice. The ad-aware program removed
the browser hijacker from my computer but now when I try
to perform a search through the address bar it follows
with a page saying "the page cannot be displayed" and
this URL address is in the address field.. "http:///?%
20cars". I typed in the word "cars" to test it. Can you
offer any advice on how to get it back to the default
Microsoft search engine???
Click to expand...

See
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/answers4.htm#search_engine

--
Frank Saunders, MS-MVP, IE/OE
Please respond in Newsgroup. Do not send email
http://www.fjsmjs.com
 
Corey G,
Some program (usually spyware\parasite) may have overridden the URL prefix
setting?
Open Regedit to the following locations and verify the below default
entries:
Start | Run (type) "regedit" (no quotes)

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\DefaultPre
fix]
@="http://"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\URL\Prefixes]
"ftp"="ftp://"
"gopher"="gopher://"
"home"="http://"
"mosaic"="http://"
"www"="http://"

Note: edit as needed, *always* Export before editing.
--
Go to: http://www.tomcoyote.org/hjt/
Download "Hijack This!" [freeware] or download direct (below):
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip

Unzip, double-click "HijackThis.exe" and Press "Scan".

When the scan is finished, the "Scan" button will change into a "Save Log"
button.
Click: "Save Log" (generates: "hijackthis.log")

Next, go to the below location:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/

Sign in, go to the "Spyware and Hijackware Removal" section.
Press "New Topic", copy and paste hijackthis.log into your new message.
_______________________________________
Mike Burgess http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Blocking Spyware, Adware, Parasites, Hijackers, Trojans, with a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [updated 8-20-03]
Please post replies to this Newsgroup, email address is invalid
 
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