Is this a virus?

HalfPint

Hiya, could do with some help.

Yesterday evening my pc starting behaving strangely and I suspect it's a virus though I'm not sure.

Im on XP and use IE7. Im connected via ethernet cable on talktalk broadband.

I generally use google as a home page. Whenever I search for anything via google, I get redirected to another page (opens in a new window) then I have to click on a link to get to the page I want It does it with other search engines too. I just searched for yahoo.co.uk and it took me to "the suppliers.co.uk"

If I click on something in my fav's it goes straight to the correct page, which is how I got here

oh...and the text on search engine pages has changed size to large but webpages are normal size.

ok...sorry this is long...Last night I ran avast 4.8home edition and it came through with no virus BUT there were 2 files where the was an error "disc c boot record :eek: Unable to scan. the filename, directory name, or volume label syntax is incorrect."
"tempinternetfiles/content.ie5/YDNZ4A56. Unable to scan. the system cannot find the file specified."

I reset IE7 back to all its original settings via the tools advanced menu but still having problems. Whenever I try to search for an virus scan the page comes up as I may not be connected to the internet (but I obviously am)

I have tried to get avast to move the files but it just gives me an error box and obviously I dont want to go messing around with the boot record as I dont know what Im doing.

Can any of you techies shed any light on this...Im hoping its something simple and not a virus. Oh and explain in laymans terms please I aint very good with pc jargon:D

Oh...as an afterthought, my 7 year old son was on it just before all this happened!

Thanking you in advance.

Laura

Donnie

Install, update and run Malwarebytes Anti Malware.

HalfPint

Thanks. I'm currently backing up all the important docs & pics to my external hard drive. Should be done in about 20 mins. Will keep you posted.

HalfPint

Hiya,

I have run the malware programme and used it to remove all 17 items it found. IE seems to be working ok now, so thanks for that.:beer:

If I post the log here, can anyone tell me what it was that caused all this? If I should be worried about any sensitive information having been sent elsewhere?

Many thanks again xx

aliEnRIK

Id run a few more scans if I were you in case you havnt found them all!
Or were the 17 items the SAME? (If so its probably fine)

Donnie

HalfPint wrote: »

Hiya,

I have run the malware programme and used it to remove all 17 items it found. IE seems to be working ok now, so thanks for that.:beer:

If I post the log here, can anyone tell me what it was that caused all this? If I should be worried about any sensitive information having been sent elsewhere?

Many thanks again xx

Don't worry too much about it.

Which Firewall is installed on your system?

HalfPint

Hi Donnie,

I think we've just got the windows firewall running. I guess I'd better install something Any Recommendations? I dont want them to conflict and cause problems.

Many thanks.

Laura x

Browntoa

this is a good firewall

http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html