When I perform a Google Search at google.com, the first 6 or 7 search
returns read: link sponsored by Hi-results.com!
This obviously is spyware or something else that has worked its way
into my computer.
Trouble is, I can't find any information about getting it removed. I
have Lavasoft Ad-Aware and SpyBot and they aren't removing this
particular symptom. The removal tool at www.hi-results.com does no
good at all.
Help!
Tim |
Request for Question Clarification by
feilong-ga
on
12 May 2004 11:17 PDT
"When I perform a Google Search at google.com, the first 6 or 7 search
returns read: link sponsored by Hi-results.com!"
Can you give us some examples of the search terms you used that gave
you such result?
"The removal tool at www.hi-results.com does no good at all."
Is this the one you used? - http://www.hi-results.com/searchengineoptuninstall.exe
-Feilong
|
Clarification of Question by
tim97701-ga
on
12 May 2004 11:50 PDT
Hello-
-It doesn't matter what I search for, it ALWAYS comes up.
-Yes...that's the one I used.
I can e-mail you a screen-shot of the results if you'd like?
Thank you very much for your help.
Tim
|
Request for Question Clarification by
justaskscott-ga
on
12 May 2004 11:55 PDT
Interesting: Lycos has reported that hi-results.com has something to
do with a program called Media Motors. However, only the previous
versions of Lycos's help pages on the topic mention it. The current
pages omit it, and a search on Lycos help for [hi-results] or [media]
produces no results.
"How do I remove Lycos as my default search?" (Google cache May 10, 2004)
Lycos
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:rIR4-I47jOIJ:help.lycos.com/scripts/search.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php%3Fp_refno%3D040402-000000%26p_created%3D1080939898+%22hi-results.com%22&hl=en
"How do I remove Lycos as my default search?"
Lycos
http://help.lycos.com/scripts/search.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_refno=040402-000000&p_created=1080939898
"How do I remove or uninstall Lycos Sidesearch?" (Google cache May 10, 2004)
Lycos
http://216.239.39.104/search?q=cache:0AmqdmgvlqoJ:help.lycos.com/scripts/search.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php%3Fp_refno%3D030625-000008%26p_created%3D1056581762+%22hi-results.com%22&hl=en
"How do I remove or uninstall Lycos Sidesearch?"
Lycos
http://help.lycos.com/scripts/search.cfg/php.exe/enduser/std_adp.php?p_refno=030625-000008&p_created=1056581762
Since Lycos seems to know about this problem, I suggest that you
contact them using their help form:
"Lycos Search and InSite Feedback Form"
Lycos
http://help.lycos.com/LycosHelp/help/search/htdocs/search_form.htm
If this information leads to a resolution, please let me know; I could
then post my information as an answer. (I'd be happy to contact Lycos
myself, but I figured you might want to provide additional details:
e.g., when and in what circumstances this problem began and your
operating system.)
|
Request for Question Clarification by
justaskscott-ga
on
12 May 2004 11:57 PDT
Or perhaps all you need to do is follow the instructions on the cached
Lycos page. If that does the trick, you can let me know.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
hummer-ga
on
12 May 2004 13:02 PDT
Hi Tim,
I would try HijackThis - sounds like some sort of spyware to me too.
HijackThis (update before running):
http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html
Post your HijackThis log on the following forum:
Spyware and Hijackware Removal Support:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
Good luck,
hummer
|
Clarification of Question by
tim97701-ga
on
12 May 2004 14:01 PDT
Hey There-
This doesn't seem to be helping at all...I don't even use Lycos.
Any other ideas out there?
Thanks!
|
Request for Question Clarification by
justaskscott-ga
on
12 May 2004 15:14 PDT
Even though you don't use Lycos, perhaps Lycos can help you remove
this program. I imagine it couldn't hurt to contact them -- they
might have some advice.
|
Clarification of Question by
tim97701-ga
on
12 May 2004 16:01 PDT
Thanks for the Lycos info. It's still not helping.
I've also found that my failed search terms are being re-directed to a
site called www.errorplace.com. I did a "WHO IS" search and found that
they're owned by the same guy - Jacob Brown - as www.hi-results.com.
How hard can it be to get this crap out of my computer? I just bought
another removal tool from webroot.com and it doesn't seem to be
working either.
Thanks!
|
Request for Question Clarification by
stuartwoozle-ga
on
12 May 2004 16:21 PDT
Hi there Tim,
Spybot S&D and AdAware are both very good, but sometimes miss some of
the browser hijacking spyware. PC Magazine's recent Editor's Choice
was for Spy Sweeper -- and you can download a free version of this at:
http://www.webroot.com/wb/products/spysweeper/
Does running that help? Also try running an up-to-date virus scanner,
as these often also look for some of the nastier trojans -- some of
which can cause similar behaviour.
Let us know how you get on!
Stuart.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
stuartwoozle-ga
on
12 May 2004 16:22 PDT
Woah -- that'll teach me for reading the posts, then going away and
posting my answer without checking for new messages! I see you've
tried Spy Sweeper already... :-/
|
Request for Question Clarification by
justaskscott-ga
on
12 May 2004 17:13 PDT
The problem with errorplace is apparently spreading. I am reluctant
to recommend a solution, but there are some people suggesting
solutions, in particular for dealing with it as the SandBoxer or Peper
trojan. You might search for [errorplace], and also for [hi-results],
on the forums listed on this page:
"Online Help Forums"
Merijn.org
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/forums.html
If it is a SandBoxer or Peper trojan, you might try to remove it as
recommended here:
"SandBoxer"
PestPatrol
http://www.pestpatrol.com/PestInfo/s/sandboxer.asp
But of course, your willingless to try this or an option recommended
in the forums may depend on your comfort with removing things from the
computer.
In any event, let us know if you try an option or have further
thoughts in light of what you read.
|
Request for Question Clarification by
hummer-ga
on
12 May 2004 17:45 PDT
Tim, did you give HijackThis a try, as I suggested earlier?
hummer
|