I Fixed My Google Search Problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike
  • Start date Start date
M

Mike

Finally fixed my search problem. I can't guarante its a
complete fix, but I can now get to Google and other
search engines.

Its easy and if it works for you, please be RESPONSIBLE
and come back to THIS posting and let others know.

The problem seems having to do with the HOSTS file. I
deleted ALL the text in the file with MS-Notebad. I
found the HOSTS file in my Windows/Help directory. When
I opened the file with NotePad, there were many Google
entries all pointing to the same web address. There were
a few other references to other search engines as well.

Here's what I did.

1- Searched my PC for all HOSTS files
2- My HOST file was located in my Windows/Help folder.
3- I made a copy of the file and changed the name to
HOSTS.BAD (in case you need the file back)
4- I used MS-NotePad to edit the file HOSTS
5- I deleted all the lines in the HOSTS file
6- I saved the HOST file (empty file)
7- Started my browser
8- It worked... I GOOGLED...Ahhhh
 
You were infected by this trojan. Get this patch or you may get it again
2. Be sure that you install hotfix 828750 which fixes the exploit that this
virus uses:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/828750/default.asp

Quote

http://www.sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.qhosts.html
http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=description&virus_k=100719
http://www3.ca.com/virusinfo/virus.aspx?ID=37191

You need to do the following:

1. Go to this page, read the directions CAREFULLY (particularly about the
Restore option) and download and run the removal tool:

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.qhosts.removal.tool.html

You probably will then need to restore your HOSTS file. Download the Hosts
File Reader:

http://members.shaw.ca/techcd/VB_Projects/HostsFileReader.exe

Run the program, click the "Read Hosts File" button, click the button
labeled "Reset Defaults" and click "Save Changes." If you've been using
your HOSTS file for ad blocking (see
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
Blocking Unwanted Ads with a Hosts File), then you'll need to reset it up
for that purpose.

2. Be sure that you install hotfix 828750 which fixes the exploit that this
virus uses:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/828750/default.asp

3. Update and run your a complete Anti-Virus software check of your system.
Most of the major AV companies have updated their latest signatures to
detect this virus.


--
Please respond in the same thread.
Regards, Jim Byrd, MS-MVP


Unquote.
 
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