Member Avatar for billy61788

after using adware and spybot removers as well as virus software i continue to get a pop up from a website called "". nothing i do seems to get rid of this. what can i do? someone please help

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by PhilliePhan

Dani AI

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Scanners often remove visible adware but miss persistence mechanisms that force a browser to a site like searchfind.info. Several replies here (, , ) pointed toward gathering a startup/log — that’s useful, but follow a focused, ordered checklist that finds the usual hidden causes scanners miss.

First-tier checks (safe, fast)

  • Inspect browser shortcut Targets (right‑click → Properties) for an appended URL.
  • Open the hosts file at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts and remove any lines redirecting known domains.
  • Verify LAN/proxy and DNS settings in Internet Options and the network adapter — a rogue proxy or DNS can force redirects.
  • Look at installed programs and browser add‑ons/search providers; uninstall or disable anything unknown and clear the browser cache/cookies.

Deeper persistence checks

  • Use an autorun/startup viewer to list every autostart location (startup folders, scheduled tasks, services and the Run registry keys such as HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run and HKCU\...\Run). Export that list for analysis before deleting entries.
  • Examine running processes to find the executable path for any suspicious process; check Scheduled Tasks for unknown entries. Back up the registry and create a restore point before removing items.

If the hijack survives these steps

  • Boot from a clean rescue environment to scan offline or disconnect the machine and back up personal data for a clean install — reinstalling is the last reliable option (as noted). Change passwords if credentials were used while infected.
  • When seeking further help, attach an exported autoruns/startup log and a short list of steps already tried; that saves time and prevents duplicate suggestions.

Cautions: do not delete Windows system files blindly. Make backups and proceed methodically.

Recommended Answers

All 7 Replies

Member Avatar for mikeandike22

do a spybot s&d scan, a ad-aware scan, and a virus scan and then post your hijackthis log in the security forum. This is posted in the wrong section.

Member Avatar for Killer_Typo

do a spybot s&d scan, a ad-aware scan, and a virus scan and then post your hijackthis log in the security forum. This is posted in the wrong section.

he said he's already done that to no avail. I would suggest just doing a HJT log if non of the scanners seemed to help.

Member Avatar for Montrell274

also, try disabling the Messenger service in XP...

Member Avatar for crunchie

he said he's already done that to no avail. I would suggest just doing a HJT log if non of the scanners seemed to help.

Actually this was said;

after using adware and spybot removers

Member Avatar for 97SupraTT

I keep having the same prob, I had to reinstall windows completely due to a worm 32, lost everything now evern after running ad-aware and virus scan I keep getting pop ups from adaware services and spyware programs, im fing in safe mode now only way i can use internet, I can open home page google but cant get to email or nothing plz help.

Member Avatar for PhilliePhan

I keep having the same prob, I had to reinstall windows completely due to a worm 32, lost everything now evern after running ad-aware and virus scan I keep getting pop ups from adaware services and spyware programs, im fing in safe mode now only way i can use internet, I can open home page google but cant get to email or nothing plz help.

You should start your own thread to ease confusion.

--- It might be easiest to do another fresh install. Bear in mind that it is best to have your patches, AV, Firewall, Anti-spy apps in place BEFORE connecting to the Internet. I realize that the patches can be a bit difficult if you don't slipstream - but they should definitely be top priority.

If you'd rather hold off on the clean install, please run the MBA-M and DSS steps listed in the linky below and submit the requested scanlogs in your new thread:
Read me before posting a request for assistance

  • Please post the DSS extra.txt as an attachment to your post using the “Manage Attachments” button (scroll down when composing your post).
  • Hold off on posting the Uninstall List. The DSS extra.txt ought to suffice.

Best Luck :)
PP

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