Google redirect virus help

**ripvdub** · 07-08-2011, 10:17 AM

Anyone have any experience/luck with getting rid of the google/search engine redirect virus? Ive tried lots of stuff, Malwarebytes, Mb in safe mode, Hitman pro, searching for certain hosts in my system 32 folder, nothing helped yet, they all say its fine. I'm going to try Combofix when I get home, it is suppossed to have the best success finding it. There is a ton of info on the web about it, but there are so many things it could be. Any suggestions are iappreciated.

**bringmagicback** · 07-08-2011, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by ripvdub

Anyone have any experience/luck with getting rid of the google/search engine redirect virus? Ive tried lots of stuff, Malwarebytes, Mb in safe mode, Hitman pro, searching for certain hosts in my system 32 folder, nothing helped yet, they all say its fine. I'm going to try Combofix when I get home, it is suppossed to have the best success finding it. There is a ton of info on the web about it, but there are so many things it could be. Any suggestions are iappreciated.

I will be watching this thread as I have the same issue.

**FDWxMan** · 07-08-2011, 10:29 AM

If after all that Combofix can't get it...I've usually given up and gone the reformat route.

This won't help you now...but I highly recommend everyone checking this out:
Imaging your hard drive free Pretty easy to follow along, even for those who might be a little over their heads. Just make sure you back up your important docs on an external first--just in case.

If you back up all your crap and then follow the steps there to make a hard drive image...it will save you the time of having to reinstall windows...grab all the updates...hunt for drivers etc...

It will even come back with all your programs installed up to what you had when you created the image. Essentially the process is System Restore on steroids, since System Restore rarely works anyway.

The fiancee got the google virus on her laptop a while back, but I had a recent image handy, so it saved a ton of time.

So for those who have a healthy system for now...this could save you a ton of time going forward if you image every so often.

**Cy4Patriots** · 07-08-2011, 10:38 AM

What is the problem? What is the exact symptoms? Need a little more detail.

**Iastfan112** · 07-08-2011, 10:48 AM

There is an excellent tool from Kasperky Labs called TDSS Killer that you should try as well. Bleeping computer has better instructions than I could reasonably hope to give on using it:
How to remove Google Redirects or the TDSS, TDL3, or Alureon rootkit using TDSSKiller

**ripvdub** · 07-08-2011, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Cy4Patriots

What is the problem? What is the exact symptoms? Need a little more detail.

Anytime you use a search engine, any search engine, it re directs you to an unwanted site of their choosing. I guess they use it to funnel people to sites for money but it can also steal your info.

**ripvdub** · 07-08-2011, 11:26 AM

,

Originally Posted by Iastfan112

There is an excellent tool from Kasperky Labs called TDSS Killer that you should try as well. Bleeping computer has better instructions than I could reasonably hope to give on using it:
How to remove Google Redirects or the TDSS, TDL3, or Alureon rootkit using TDSSKiller

I have seen that mentioned a lot while researching, I will try that if combo doesn't work.

**ripvdub** · 07-09-2011, 05:18 PM

I tried combo fix, but it wont run with AVG, so I uninstalled it, but it says its still there, so no luck so far. I evn tried an AVG remover program and still no luck with it.
I tried the TDSS killer, but that found nothing, several times.
Im starting to just want to get an external hard drive, save my pics and music and get a new cpu. My cpu is like 8 years old, but pretty much runs ok.

**acqflisu** · 07-09-2011, 07:20 PM

This has happened to me a couple times. In Windows 7 startup, you can boot to a restore point that was established prior to your problem.

Here is some additional information on Vista and XP, but there is a lot more information available to guide you through.

**Tredici** · 07-09-2011, 07:45 PM

I had this problem as well. What fixed it for me was a combination of updates from my antivirus and spyware protectors. I currently have on my computer. Malwarebytes, Emsisoft Anti-Malware, Spybot Search and Destroy, but what really took care of the problem was SuperAntispyware Free edition. My antivirus is Avira and that cleaned up some reoccuring registry files. The trick for me was making sure all my protection was up-to-date and of course running in safe mode. *Forgot to mention also Hijack This*

**cycoticfan** · 07-09-2011, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by Iastfan112

There is an excellent tool from Kasperky Labs called TDSS Killer that you should try as well. Bleeping computer has better instructions than I could reasonably hope to give on using it:
How to remove Google Redirects or the TDSS, TDL3, or Alureon rootkit using TDSSKiller

this is the fix.

**dbodeenisudm** · 07-09-2011, 10:56 PM

ya ive got that on 2 computers and know it comes from this site. currently the computer im posting with has it; i just dont care.

**Goothrey** · 07-10-2011, 12:42 AM

Yeah, I've had it for a few weeks now. Most annoying with google images as only two pages of picture load.

**WaverlyCy** · 07-10-2011, 09:43 AM

If you have XP, Vista, or Windows 7, your system automatically creates restore points with the built-in System Restore. Just choose a restore point prior to when you got your virus. I've used this several times to remove viruses on my own and friends' computers. I think one of the best kept secrets of Windows and fighting viruses.

What is System Restore?

You can also initiate system restore from safe mode. The system restore won't touch/overwrite any of your personal files/documents, either. I'm not an expert by any means, but it has worked for me several times in the past, so I thought I would share.