Author Topic: "Free Search Online" page redirect  (Read 10302 times)

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Xiaoding

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"Free Search Online" page redirect
« on: July 24, 2004, 03:07:16 AM »
Hi all.  I have a problem, when I try to go to alta Vista, my page is redirected to a page that says "Free Search Online", which has a bunch of poker ads.  I just ran avast, it did not detect anything.  Has nay one heard of this?  I tried google, but can't find any coherent info.  Running windows 98 SE.  

thnx

Xiaodind

zeroblackstar

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2004, 04:12:23 AM »
thats not a virus, is prob spyware

if you look on www.download.com u can download spybot search and destroy

that shud get rid of ne spyware uve got

also try spyware blaster form the same site, another gr8 program, both are free too!

Max M.Wachtel III

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2004, 06:11:07 AM »
There are a couple of other good ones.I have links to them on my site.
-max

Xiaoding

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2004, 06:27:30 AM »
Thnx, I'll try that, Adaware was no good.  I found some files on my system and deleted them...inetwiz.exe, npp*, ras*, event*.*, inatjoy.dll.  Then I did a reg search for "outhost", found it in the prefix key for IE, and deleted that value.  Found no keys with "hacker".  But none of these were the source code, I still got it after that.  :(  I'm in this for the challenge, I want to know how this thing works.  Thank God I got a system backup from a month ago.  :)

Max M.Wachtel III

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2004, 07:59:45 AM »
You might need to use HijackThis to get rid of it. I think it is one of the most useful tools.As zero said, used correctly,spybot along with spyware guard can lock your home and search page and some other things as well and they scan with a resident running all the time.I recommend a script blocker also.
You are smart to use this as a learning experience.
-max 8)

Offline Eddy

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2004, 09:51:44 AM »
Click on the link in my signature and follow the instructions there to completely clean your system.

Gene Johnson

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2004, 11:29:56 AM »
Go to this link for hijacking answers.

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/1090658454

Annoyances.org deals with hijacks. This site deals more with avast! issues. (Not that people here can't deal with those issues also :))

Offline Eddy

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2004, 11:52:11 AM »
This forum has a special section for HijackThis :
http://v1ru5help.org/phpBB2/index.php

(problems/questions/analyses)

Xiaoding

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2004, 04:52:59 PM »
Thnx all for the help.  I wound up doing a wipe and restore, I couldn't find much info on what files to look for.

While I am grateful to Avast for providing their software for free, I have to say I am dissapointed.  It just didn't work.  It seems a lot of the scanners just don't work nowadays.  As a user, I don't give a hoot if it's a virus, or a hijack, or a trojan, I just want it off!  The hackers are definetly winning the race now, it seems to me.

I don't see how any virus scanner can work without booting in DOS mode first, making a list of files on the system, and then comparing that to the list of files when the OS is running.  That would spot rootkits right away.  Even beter booting in Linux.

But, keep trying, it's a process.

thnx,

Xiaoding

Offline bob3160

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2004, 05:57:59 PM »
Xiaoding
Quote
I have to say I am dissapointed.  It just didn't work.  It seems a lot of the scanners just don't work nowadays.
I think your trying to eat an apple and expecvt it to taste like an orange???????
If your infected with spyware and trojans, then don't blame a virus program for not finding them.
Now a days, you need the right tools to do the job.
For a virus use Avast.
For Spyware and AdWare, Use AdAware and Spysweeper and a hole lot of other programs.
You can get all them from here:
http://www.security-ops.tk/

Hope that helps :)
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Xiaoding

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2004, 06:36:16 PM »
My point is that users don't care about arbitrary definitions of what is or is not a "virus".  They just want it fixed.  

Perhaps virus scanner companies need to redifine their core mission:  instead of scanning for "viruses", defne the mission as eleminating all hostile code from a PC.  Don't even use the word virus.

I know that if I spend hard earned money on a scanner, and it does not work, and all I get is "oh, we don't do hijackers, we do "viruses"", the first thought that occurs to me as a user is "geez, this is worse than the car dealers".  It is percieved as a weasel dodge on the part of the scanner company.  I'm sure they don't intend it as such...but I define virus as "any code that I did not put on the computer, that does things I don't want", period.

This is the reason I have not yet bought a virus scanner yet, I have no confidence in any of them.  They just don't work, and the companies seem to be stuck on these useless definitions.

thnx,

Xiaoding.

Offline Eddy

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2004, 07:06:59 PM »
It is not the fault of creators of anti virus software that users don't know the difference between viruses, browser hijackers, worms, trojans, spyware, adware and other software that is/can be harmfull to the proper functioning of a system.

There is no way that one application can handle them all. It is just technically, economicly and practicaly impossible to create one.

And the scanners do work. You are just expecting from them they are not made for. That is not the fault of the scanners. It is your lack of knowledge (no offense) that make you react that way. But point to yourself and not to something that can't help it.

If people don't care what it is called, they have no interest in the tool (computer) they are using. If so, they better use another tool before they get theirselfs into more trouble, get high blood pressure, a fight with their partner etc  :D

If I get a ticket for speeding in my car, I will blame you. Since it doesn't matter (according to you) if I know something (I am not allowed to drive to fast) or not.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2004, 07:12:42 PM by Artras »

Xiaoding

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2004, 07:21:16 PM »
Blaming the users will not make the bottom line any fatter.  The user has a need...meet it, and succeed.  Blame them, and they will go elsewhere.

have a nice day,

Xiaoding

Offline bob3160

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #13 on: July 30, 2004, 07:31:36 PM »
Obviously you enjoy disagreements. Obviously you don't like facts unles they bring out your point of view.
In this case you are wrong. Or, you have never done a full system scan for Adware, Trojans and Spyware. On a large system, that can take an hour  or longer. I for one don't have that kind of time to waist for each program I access or download waiting for a scanner that does all things for all people. If you are interested in Bloatware, I'd be more than happy to direct you to some sites where it's available.
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Offline DavidR

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Re:"Free Search Online" page redirect
« Reply #14 on: July 30, 2004, 07:43:52 PM »
There are many specialist companies out there who do an excellent job at what they specialise in.

The phrase jack of all trades master of none comes to mind here.

A number of companies have tried and (in my opinion) failed to combine complex functions.

I think what Artras was trying to say the user is responsible for their own actions and doesn't blame the car maker when they get a speeding ticket.

It's your computer and to all intents and purposes your responsibility to learn about it and how to protect it.

If you are waiting for a single program to block spyware, adware, trogans, worms, hijackers and viruses, you are in for a long wait. Life is about compromises, do you not install anything untill the magic bullet protection program comes along and you will remain vulnerable for a long, long time.

Just take a look at my signature to get an idea of the programs I run for protection, there are others (these are the main ones), but insufficient space to mention them all.

David
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