Malicious Browser Hijacker !!!

[DC]

Just a headsup for anyone who is currently experiencing difficulties with their PC's. I've recently been having a bit of trouble booting up and shutting down.Windows 7 has been stating that the shut downs are forced and that programs that are running should be closed. I had nothing running anywhere on shut down so had a good look around and eventually came across an icon for" Search Protect" that I had no knowledge of in the UP Arrow ( show hidden icons ),bottom right hand side of the task bar. After a google and a bit of a look around I came across quite a bit of info about it,and found that if it's installed specifically by Conduit it's a malicious subtle virus and can affect all sorts of processes in the operating system,so uninstalled it and all is well. On Windows 7 it's a simple Uninstall operation but other operating systems,XP and Vista being two examples,the process of removal is a bit more complicated.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Search+Protect&oq=Search&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j69i60j69i59j69i60j69i65.4 607j0j7&sourceid=chrome&espv=210&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8

I'm a bit of a layman when it comes to these things,although the above paragraph may look like I know what I'm talking about, I was hoping Dabz or anyone else familiar with such things could elaborate.

[Dabz]

Yup this one is doing the rounds but thankfully on windows 7 is fairly easy to remove - thanks for the link.

As always, advice is simple - make sure you run antivirus software, keep your windows updates up to date and don't install anything that sea dodgy. I also highly recommend malwarebytes anti malware ( free download from download.com) and running a regular scan - it's a cracking bit of software and great at finding/removing issues

[Uber Dave]

From a brief look around the internet it seems that it comes as part of a package which installs things like MP3 rippers or other "freeware" and was likely a tick box during the setup process which you missed.

Its not a virus or spyware so much as a tool which hooks into the browser and stops the any changes being made to the homepage settings etc. That said the consensus is that it could also be harvesting some information as well for ad-agencies.

Most modern browsers will tell you when any such programs are hooked into them. I use Firefox and I know it shows a new tab every time something adds itself or hooks into its operation in any way. I also have the "Ad-Block Plus" addon installed for both Firefox and Chrome. You can add this via 'Menu --> Addons' then search for "ad block". It will stop any adverts showing up at all (but not solve the problem in this case)

Sounds like you have it sorted out now though. May be worth looking at a decent AV/Firewall also, free ones often dont offer much protection and three sites I tried visiting via Google looking for details on this were actually blocked by my Security software (Trend Internet Security).

[DC]

Thanks chaps,I have Malwarebytes and AVG and funnily enough ran a scan only last week,but this thing came in on the 13th Feb,will have to do more regular scans, and will definitely go for Ad-Block. The only downloads that come in are updates,the last one being Flashplayer a few days ago so it's a bit of a puzzle :confused: Thanks for the suggestions.

[njl]

I started to find AVG a bit heavy on the system in the last year or two so have chopped and changed a bit, but generally settle for MS security essentials, which is also free.

[Col]

it's all to do with porn !!!!!:p

[shiftyblake]

Although Macs are stupidly expensive, not having viruses or anti virus software is a god send.

[Uber Dave]

Its a myth these days there are no virus etc for Macs. In fact from what I have seen because people dont bother to protect them with AV Software thats what is driving the growth.

http://usa.kaspersky.com/internet-security-center/threats/mac