Internet
My web browser has been hijacked.
Additional Information:
Spyware, adware, malware, and other Trojan’s are becoming an ever-growing threat to users who browse the Internet and/or install free programs. However many computer users do not realize when these programs are secretly installed on a computer or realize when their system or browsers settings are changed. Below is a listing of potential symptoms a user may encounter when their browser or computer has been hijacked.
Default home page changes to a different page; commonly an adult oriented web page.
Computer slows down.
New tools in the browser such as a new search tool bar is installed or added to the browser.
Default search engine or other settings changed.
Answer:
Unfortunately many of the software programs designed to hijack a computers browser are intentionally designed to be difficult to remove and/or detect. Below are recommendations on how these types of programs can be prevented and/or removed.
Free programs
When installing free programs such as KaZaA read the disclaimers and watch for additional programs that are being installed. Many times these programs are supported by automatically installing spyware programs.
If you no longer use these programs often (but not always) uninstalling these programs will also uninstall any associated software that is included with them.
Add/Remove programs
If you are running Microsoft Windows and you have noticed a program that you do not wish to use or want uninstalled see if the program can be removed through Add/Remove programs in the Control panel.
Restore browser settings
Some web pages and programs are designed to automatically change your browser’s settings. For example a web page or program may automatically change your default home page to an alternate home page. These type of issues can be corrected by following the below steps.
Close all browser windows so that only one window is open.
Visit an alternate safe site such as Computer Hope or Google.
Correct the settings changed, such as changing your home page back to your original home page. Additional help and information about changing your browser’s settings can be found on our browser help pages.
Once the settings have been changed and applied close out of the browser window.
The next time the browser is opened it should have the settings correct. However, if the site that changed your browser settings is visited again it is likely that the settings will be changed again. This issue can be prevented with many of the spyware / adware programs that are available today.
Spyware / Adware / Malware detection and removal programs
Because of the ever-growing threat of these types of programs many companies and individuals have developed programs that help prevent, detect, and remove these types of programs. Below is a listing of a few of the programs you may wish to consider.
- Ad-aware from Lavasoft
- Spy Sweeper from Webroot Software
- SpyBot Search and Destroy
- SpywareBlaster from Javacool Software
- HijackThis by Merijn
- Microsoft’s spyware
Microsoft Windows XP users
If you are running Microsoft Windows XP, updating to the latest Service Pack will help protect your computer against spyware.
Try alternative browser
Because Microsoft Internet Explorer is the most widely used browser today and because of it’s vulnerabilities switching to an alternative browser such as Mozilla Firefox can significantly reduce the amount of spyware you get on your computer.
System Restore
Users who are running Microsoft Windows XP and are not able to remove a program that has hijacked their computer or browser may also wish to consider running the Microsoft System Restore and restore their computer to an earlier date.