I think I have contracted a virus. I am having browser issues. When I try to click on a link from Gmail, Google Reader, Google search, Yahoo search, or a variety of other websites, the browser opens a different, spammy-looking shopping website. It won’t open the right link. I have to copy and paste the address into the address bar to get the page to open. And sometimes that doesn’t work. I suspected that I got a virus, so I Googled "virus removal software." Not a single website that contains virus removal software will open. I get the same error message "Page cannot be displayed" for every anti-virus site I try to visit. This makes me think it is a virus.
Here is something that further complicates the issue. I was thinking that if I can’t download virus removal software, I could purchase some and install it on the computer. But then I remembered that our CD drive isn’t working for some reason. Aaargh! What should I do?
I called the Geek Squad and was told that they recommend an agent come to my house and run a diagnostic on the computer to target the problem. I don’t really want to spend 0 for a guy to come out and tell me I have a virus. I am pretty sure that’s the problem. I don’t have a problem paying to have the virus removed, but how can I do that without paying someone to diagnose it? Any suggestions?
Details: It’s an HP Pavilion laptop that uses Vista.
Tagged with: aaargh • anti virus • browser issues • cd drive • error message • geek squad • google • hp • hp pavilion laptop • search yahoo search • shopping website • virus removal software • yahoo
Filed under: Computer Diagnostic Software
Check to see if your USB ports are working because this will be the avenue used to load a removal program. If your USB still works (viruses can keep them from working) then use a friends computer or the library’s & download Malwarebytes at http://www.malwarebytes.org. It is a free program for scanning. Once you have the program you will then need to start your computer in safe mode. Put the USB flash drive in and install Malwarebytes. You will not be able to update it but no matter right now. Run a quick scan to remove the initial scumbags & then a full scan. If your USB doesn’t work then back up your important stuff (pics,music, docs) & reinstall your os (with Vista on an HP it’s ctrl button & f10)). Any questions just ask.
Google hijack virus – that’s what you have.
You don’t need a salesman in a tie coming to your house to tell you that he has to bring the computer back to the store (where they’ll ship it to someone who knows how to fix computers, then tack on their charge to his), there are many websites with instructions to remove hijack viruses. (Use another computer – even in the public library, to research what you have to do. Download anything you need to a flash drive so you can run it on your computer.)