Firefox - Internet Browser - Rant

[Jerryl]

Well, I finally installed Firefox last week!
This browser is definitely faster, BUT, now my “system restore” does not work? WTH??
I tried to do a system restore and the files must be corrupted,. or deleted so you can no retore!

One thing about Firefox, is when you do a search, the search goes through some type of “vendor” ……….. It seems like it anyways. I am sure these are the guys who flip the bill for this “free software” BS.

Now, I can delete the software, but afraid it will screw up the computer!
Anyone else seen this?

 

[notacarlo]

I have been using FF for years with several system restorations. The browser has nothing to do with a fall back.

IE blows monkeys.

 

[Jerryl]

I have been using FF for years with several system restorations. The browser has nothing to do with a fall back.

IE blows monkeys.

WOW!
Wonder what happened.

What version of FF are you using?
I notie that avery time do do a search it goes in internet lala-land.

Example;
Launch FF
Go to google
Search for Performance Tires
Sercha completed - You can see the links
Select any of the the links - Say Michelin
The screen that opens up shows the tires, but through a re-routed Michelin site.

Strange.

 

[notacarlo]

Seems you have a "bot" or some variant.

FF default browser is Google. After that point, it should work just like regular google except there is more protection, rather than IE which seems to send out invitations!

If I type in performance tires, I get a list. The highlighted link at the bottom of the sites found is the actual location you are taken to.

"High Performance Tire, Bridgestone, Cooper, Falken, Firestone ...
The affordable choice for purchasing tires online, HighPerformanceTire.Com.
highperformancetire.com/ - 52k - Cached - Similar pages"

 

[WeSS]

browser

I was running an old version of internet explorer 6. It started crashing. Did a safe mode checkup. Removed all spyware/virus then corrected some settings. Limited startup programs to what was needed only, got rid of tool bars, etc. Decided to switch back to firefox but again it reminded me of why I did not like it the last time. I have been using IE 8 for the past week and have absolutely loved it. Who knows. Preference I guess. Remember like a turbo buick the faster your internet is the more problems you will have with it

 

[mjdwyer23]

if your system restore, task manager, or browser is messed up, you might have a trojan.

 

[SilverSleeper]

I've run FF on everything from my old Win98 desktop to my Vista laptop to my new little Acer netbook, and only time I remember stuff like that happening is with a BHO, (browser hi-jack object). Sounds like something is taking over your browser with a re-direct, which sounds like what I had happen once before.
I have a program on my win98 machine thats called "Hijack This", which is a relatively simple way to search out things like that.

 

[WeSS]

browser

I've run FF on everything from my old Win98 desktop to my Vista laptop to my new little Acer netbook, and only time I remember stuff like that happening is with a BHO, (browser hi-jack object). Sounds like something is taking over your browser with a re-direct, which sounds like what I had happen once before.
I have a program on my win98 machine thats called "Hijack This", which is a relatively simple way to search out things like that.

There is a tutorial if you do a search. There is also a thing called CW shredder a tool to remove what is otherwise known as the cool websearch BHO. I had that happen a couple years ago and had to spend a little time deleting it and restoring my settings. Just be careful as you can F up your registery.

 

[Jerryl]

Yeah, something is redirecting everything in FF!
Just searched the computer with spybot, and it found some trojans.
Cleaned them, rebooted, and still no luck!

Funny thing is that spybot can not no longer be updated.
Whatever it is that is doing this, it really screwed up this computer.
Right before loading FF, it ran fine!
Not saying it is FF, it is just how things turned out.

Oh, and I just read my other posts ........... my typing blows!

 

[Weester]

Sounds like you still have a virus on your machine!!

Try either/both of these freebies:

AVG anti-virus
AVG Free - Download antivirus and antispyware software for Windows XP and Vista

Malwarebytes
Malwarebytes.org

 

[Dwayne]

+1 on malwarebytes.........install it, update it, run it.......lets us know what it finds........good luck !

 

[TType84]

ESET - Antivirus Software with Spyware and Malware Protection

nod32 is hands down the best av program ive ever used.

 

[Jerryl]

This trojan is so malicious, it will NOT let me download any software.
I will have to get it onto a USB stick this weekend and transfer the files.

Thanks for the link Weester!

 

[mjdwyer23]

My fiancee's computer had one that wouldn't let it connect to the internet at all -- avg free etc. couldn't update to latest definitions! We copied all her pictures with xcopy in cmd prompt to our external and reformatted.

 

[Weester]

My fiancee's computer had one that wouldn't let it connect to the internet at all -- avg free etc. couldn't update to latest definitions! We copied all her pictures with xcopy in cmd prompt to our external and reformatted.

What you can do if this happens again and you have 2 computers is to take the infected drive and make it a slave on the other system. Then use the virus scanner on the good drive to clean the other drive. The infected drive wont affect the primary drive because you are not booting off it.

 

[Jerryl]

+1 on malwarebytes.........install it, update it, run it.......lets us know what it finds........good luck !

This malwarebyte thing rocks!!
Lets' see ...............
The trojan would not allow updates, so I scanned twice.
First scan;
Registry Keys Infected: 5
Folders Infected: 4
Files Infected: 8

Second scan after updating;
Files Infected: 3

I think it worked!!
Thanks a lot fellas!

 

[Dwayne]

Just remember that you have to manually update it, it's not automatic...........that's a tough program to beat for the price !

 

[bison]

You really need to get something in there that will notify you any time something attempts to alter your registry. This way you can prevent any trojans or BS from infecting your computer. You will have to pay for it but its worth it.

 

[Jerryl]

You really need to get something in there that will notify you any time something attempts to alter your registry. This way you can prevent any trojans or BS from infecting your computer. You will have to pay for it but its worth it.

Very true!
I run spybot and secretmaker, but, had to turn it off to upload/e-mail some pics .... forgot to turn it back on ..... came to that conclusion after thinking about this for 2 weeks .....

What preventative program do you recommend?