90% of the time I get redirected to a destructive site (according to WOT) when I click on a search result.
Gonna bug you with this problem because it is serious. I DO NOT WANT TO BE REDIRECTED to DESTRUCTIVE SITES. But lately that seems to be what happens when I click on a regular search item. How can I prevent this. The search item has a good website listed and if I cut & paste it works. I never had this hassle before. Does it have to do with the latest updates? Help. Thank you.
Chosen solution
Some of the following may be covered by the support articles, but...
Search engine results links going to the wrong site can indicate the Google Redirect Virus. Because it is so prevalent, there are a lot of sketchy fixes posted, so try to use one from a reputable company/site.
In past discussions -- e.g., I have a Google redirect virus which redirects every hit I click on in every search engine, in every browser, to a completely unrelated website. No anti-virus software I've tried can get rid of it. -- forum users have found this post useful: Remove Google redirect virus (Malware Removal Instructions blog).
Official download site for TDSSKiller: http://www.kaspersky.com/virus-removal-tools
Google Redirect Virus: How to Remove | PCMag.com (links to alternate tool from Symantec)
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Probably the most likely reason is that you have some search toolbar unintentionally installed or some form of malware problem. If you have software unintentionally installed you may be able to find it and then uninstall it with Windows XP's control panel.
Are your searches redirecting to any specific site ?
Do a thorough scan for malware.
Remember:
- Never run more than 1 Firewall at a time.
- Never run more than 1 AV/AS application in an active state (on-access/real-time scanning) at a time.
Download, install and update as many of the following as possible until your infections are cleaned.
- The free versions of these scanners will detect infections and clean your system; no need to purchase
- Different malware scanners detect some malware that other scanners do not.
- If you are unable to download the malware programs,
- change the name of the installer program before saving the download to your hard drive, and
- once installed, go to the installation folder for the program and change the name of the program executable file (i.e., for Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, change mbam.exe to xyz-mb.exe), then update the program and run the scan.
- you may need to download on an un-infected computer, change the name of the installer program, copy the installer to a CD or USB thumb drive, and transport to your system for installation.
- Some stubborn malware will need to be removed in Windows Safe Mode with Networking'. WARNING: Download all the tools first, then disconnect your modem before entering Windows Safe Mode, as your Firewall and AV/AS probably will not load in Windows Safe Mode. See:
- Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware - http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php
- SuperAntispyware - http://www.superantispyware.com/
- AdAware - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
- Spybot Search & Destroy - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
- Windows Defender - http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx
- Dr. Web Cureit - http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/
If these don't find or can't clear the infection(s), post in one of these forums for specialized malware removal help:
- Read and follow their rules for posting
- Follow their instructions to the letter
- Be patient; you are put in a queue and you will get a response when they get to your post
- http://bleepingcomputer.com
- http://www.spywareinfoforum.com/
- http://www.spywarewarrior.com/index.php
- http://forum.aumha.org/
If this reply solves your problem, please click "Solved It" next to this reply when signed-in to the forum.
Not related to your question, but...
You need to update some plug-ins. Java is seriously behind, 14 updates, and there have been many security issues resolved since the version that you are using.
- Plug-in check: https://www-trunk.stage.mozilla.com/en-US/plugincheck/
- Next Generation Java Plug-in for Mozilla browsers: Installing or Updating Java in Firefox
Modified
Chosen Solution
Some of the following may be covered by the support articles, but...
Search engine results links going to the wrong site can indicate the Google Redirect Virus. Because it is so prevalent, there are a lot of sketchy fixes posted, so try to use one from a reputable company/site.
In past discussions -- e.g., I have a Google redirect virus which redirects every hit I click on in every search engine, in every browser, to a completely unrelated website. No anti-virus software I've tried can get rid of it. -- forum users have found this post useful: Remove Google redirect virus (Malware Removal Instructions blog).
Official download site for TDSSKiller: http://www.kaspersky.com/virus-removal-tools
Google Redirect Virus: How to Remove | PCMag.com (links to alternate tool from Symantec)
I only have this problem with Fire Fox Beta 11.o, other browsers work fine, I search for what ever and when I find the link I want w/google and click get not the site I chose but http://foodpuma.com/feed.php?kwd=yahoo&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yahoo.com%2F. Any suggestions?
Nothing in the three answers preceding your posting was of help to you with that search redirect problem?