Problem with Google.

Posted by: Mick P on 25 November 2006

Chaps

I seem to have a problem with Google that has sprung up over the last week.

A typical thing is that I did a search for the Vintage Motorcycle CLub (VMCC) and as soon as I clicked on it, I get passed to various advertising websites promoting hundreds of things to do with motorcycles but not the VMCC.

If I cut and paste the www address thrown up by google, then I will get directed to the VMCC site.

Do you think I have a little bug in my pc.

Incidentally, my security is pretty good. I have Zonealarm, NTL antivirus, AdawareSE personal, Spybot search, plus Spywareblaster and Spyware guard.

Any ideas what the problem is ?

Regards

Mick
Posted on: 25 November 2006 by Malky
You may have experienced a 'browser hijack'. Sorry, I don't know how to confirm this. You'll have to speak to someone more knowledgable.
I thought the whole idea of Google, though, was to direct you towards specific sites that pay them advertising revenue.
Posted on: 25 November 2006 by Don Atkinson
Hi Mick

No solutions. But I just tried via Google, got VMCC at the top of the list and clicked onto the VMCC website without any trouble at all. No pop-ups, no adds, nothing.

My machine is a 10 year old Dell running on Windows 95 and Explorer v5 with sod-all protection (possibly McCafre). But it isn't broadband. It's still the ancient "narrowband".

I have occasionally seen an add pop-up on my machine, but few and far between.

As I say, no solutions, but at least you know you have a (irritating) problem - unless other members with broaband are experiencing similar irritations.

Cheers

Don
Posted on: 25 November 2006 by BigH47
Mick
Sounds like a browser hijack trojan/virus thingy.I don't think it's a BB only problem. You could try getting a free scan from Symantec(Norton) some of these things can "hide" from some of the virus protectors.
Do you have a local independant PC shop that has been around for a few years? They should be able to give your PC a "health check" for not much money.

Howard
Posted on: 25 November 2006 by SteveGa
Mick
Certainly sounds like you have been hi-jacked. Take yourself over here and update your software then run this. It should find your problem (unless it is a really new one - in which case wait a few days for a new update). One of the many guards you have should find the problem - do full updates and then scans. If all else fails have a look here. HiJackThis will sort your problem but use with massive amounts of care.

I would guess you are using Internet Explorer. You might want to change your browser to Firefox or Opera both of which are much less "prone" to hi-jacking.

Steve
Posted on: 25 November 2006 by Mick P
Chaps

I got into a tekkie nerdy forum and they fixed it for me.

I was hijacked and they got me to de hijack it.

Many thanks

Mick