Malware.

[sarcasticface]

Does anybody recommend any malware-deleting, free programs, because there's some malware on my PC? It's making Firefox go from Google to Yahoo. It's making Chrome go from Google to Bing to Yahoo to Bing.

[RevanFan]

Does anybody recommend any malware-deleting, free programs, because there's some malware on my PC? It's making Firefox go from Google to Yahoo. It's making Chrome go from Google to Bing to Yahoo to Bing.

That doesn't sound so much like malware as it sounds like you forgot to check off a box while installing a program. Did it just change your default search engine or is it actually causing improper redirects?

Anyway, here's some options.

1. I use Avast as my day to day antivirus.

1a. For a paid option, or if you are willing to do a premium trial, Bitdefender is fantastic.

2. I use Malwarebytes as a second opinion scanner.

3. For really big issues that won't go away, Zemana Anti-Malware or HitmanPro are good options.

After scanning with a primary antivirus and anti-malware, and after scanning with the hard hitters (if necessary), I'd suggest using the program CCleaner to clean out temp files. Once that's done, use CCleaner to check your startup programs and make sure nothing strange is there (mostly a precaution.) Do the same in the Task Manager (open it and check what's listed under startup.)

Finally, go into all of your web browsers and check all the settings. Make sure your default search engine, home page, and other settings are set properly. Go through each browser and uninstall any browser extensions or addons you don't remember installing. Then make sure you have a good adblocker installed and updated. I suggest uBlock Origin. You may also want to clear your cookies and cache on each web browser you use.

Once the above has been done, check to see if the issue is resolved. If not, do what's listed below.

Go to Programs and Features and uninstall anything that was installed on the date you started having issues and looks 'fishy'. If you aren't sure if something is good or bad, Google it first so you don't accidentally remove anything important.

If all of that doesn't clear up your issue, I know of a few more programs that may be helpful. Also, I recommend using a program called Unchecky to help avoid the potential for issues like this in the future.


Links:

https://www.avast.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download or https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus.html
https://www.malwarebytes.com/
https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/hmp.aspx and/or https://www.zemana.com/
https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner
https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/#installation
https://unchecky.com/

[sarcasticface]

Spoiler:

Does anybody recommend any malware-deleting, free programs, because there's some malware on my PC? It's making Firefox go from Google to Yahoo. It's making Chrome go from Google to Bing to Yahoo to Bing.

That doesn't sound so much like malware as it sounds like you forgot to check off a box while installing a program. Did it just change your default search engine or is it actually causing improper redirects?

Anyway, here's some options.

1. I use Avast as my day to day antivirus.

1a. For a paid option, or if you are willing to do a premium trial, Bitdefender is fantastic.

2. I use Malwarebytes as a second opinion scanner.

3. For really big issues that won't go away, Zemana Anti-Malware or HitmanPro are good options.

After scanning with a primary antivirus and anti-malware, and after scanning with the hard hitters (if necessary), I'd suggest using the program CCleaner to clean out temp files. Once that's done, use CCleaner to check your startup programs and make sure nothing strange is there (mostly a precaution.) Do the same in the Task Manager (open it and check what's listed under startup.)

Finally, go into all of your web browsers and check all the settings. Make sure your default search engine, home page, and other settings are set properly. Go through each browser and uninstall any browser extensions or addons you don't remember installing. Then make sure you have a good adblocker installed and updated. I suggest uBlock Origin. You may also want to clear your cookies and cache on each web browser you use.

Once the above has been done, check to see if the issue is resolved. If not, do what's listed below.

Go to Programs and Features and uninstall anything that was installed on the date you started having issues and looks 'fishy'. If you aren't sure if something is good or bad, Google it first so you don't accidentally remove anything important.

If all of that doesn't clear up your issue, I know of a few more programs that may be helpful. Also, I recommend using a program called Unchecky to help avoid the potential for issues like this in the future.


Links:

https://www.avast.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download or https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus.html
https://www.malwarebytes.com/
https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/hmp.aspx and/or https://www.zemana.com/
https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner
https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/#installation
https://unchecky.com/

Actually, I think I fixed it. It actually was 100% malware. I used "Norton Security", but the Free Trial. But, thanks, anyway. This might be helpful in the future.

[RevanFan]

Spoiler:

Does anybody recommend any malware-deleting, free programs, because there's some malware on my PC? It's making Firefox go from Google to Yahoo. It's making Chrome go from Google to Bing to Yahoo to Bing.

That doesn't sound so much like malware as it sounds like you forgot to check off a box while installing a program. Did it just change your default search engine or is it actually causing improper redirects?

Anyway, here's some options.

1. I use Avast as my day to day antivirus.

1a. For a paid option, or if you are willing to do a premium trial, Bitdefender is fantastic.

2. I use Malwarebytes as a second opinion scanner.

3. For really big issues that won't go away, Zemana Anti-Malware or HitmanPro are good options.

After scanning with a primary antivirus and anti-malware, and after scanning with the hard hitters (if necessary), I'd suggest using the program CCleaner to clean out temp files. Once that's done, use CCleaner to check your startup programs and make sure nothing strange is there (mostly a precaution.) Do the same in the Task Manager (open it and check what's listed under startup.)

Finally, go into all of your web browsers and check all the settings. Make sure your default search engine, home page, and other settings are set properly. Go through each browser and uninstall any browser extensions or addons you don't remember installing. Then make sure you have a good adblocker installed and updated. I suggest uBlock Origin. You may also want to clear your cookies and cache on each web browser you use.

Once the above has been done, check to see if the issue is resolved. If not, do what's listed below.

Go to Programs and Features and uninstall anything that was installed on the date you started having issues and looks 'fishy'. If you aren't sure if something is good or bad, Google it first so you don't accidentally remove anything important.

If all of that doesn't clear up your issue, I know of a few more programs that may be helpful. Also, I recommend using a program called Unchecky to help avoid the potential for issues like this in the future.


Links:

https://www.avast.com/en-us/free-antivirus-download or https://www.bitdefender.com/solutions/antivirus.html
https://www.malwarebytes.com/
https://www.hitmanpro.com/en-us/hmp.aspx and/or https://www.zemana.com/
https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner
https://github.com/gorhill/uBlock/#installation
https://unchecky.com/

Actually, I think I fixed it. It actually was 100% malware. I used "Norton Security", but the Free Trial. But, thanks, anyway. This might be helpful in the future.

I'm glad you fixed it, but for future reference, Norton is possibly the worst AV product. Up there with McAfee.

[BUS36]

1. Defender program that comes with Windows 8.1 as my day to day anti virus.
2. Malwarebytes is free they are my back up, I run at least 2-3 times in a week.
3. CC( Crap Cleaner) I use when I fill my Recycle bin. I run the scan and the the registry cleaner.

[Danchat]

Actually, I think I fixed it. It actually was 100% malware. I used "Norton Security", but the Free Trial. But, thanks, anyway. This might be helpful in the future.

I'm glad you fixed it, but for future reference, Norton is possibly the worst AV product. Up there with McAfee.

Wait, McAfee is considering a bad AV product? I've had a two year subscription that came with my laptop, so I've assumed all is fine and dandy, but is there something up with McAfee?

[Austinmario13]

Malwarebytes, ‘nuff said.

[RevanFan]

Actually, I think I fixed it. It actually was 100% malware. I used "Norton Security", but the Free Trial. But, thanks, anyway. This might be helpful in the future.

I'm glad you fixed it, but for future reference, Norton is possibly the worst AV product. Up there with McAfee.

Wait, McAfee is considering a bad AV product? I've had a two year subscription that came with my laptop, so I've assumed all is fine and dandy, but is there something up with McAfee?

They have some of the worst zero day detection, and their software is heavier than a lot of other AV solutions. And they're known for shoddy business practices. Most people consider it bloatware. You're fine for now, but I'd get rid of it once the premium subscription is up.