Member Avatar for kays109

Okay, so I am horrible with computers so this may be just an easy fix. For the past two days Internet Explorer keeps on starting on its own. It does not open to an actual website but in the search bar there are always random, incomplete urls (the most recent example: ). It's my laptop for class so it is unbelievably annoying.

Please, please help me out.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by ccbutler

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This behavior (Internet Explorer launching by itself to gibberish URLs) is a classic sign of adware/browser‑helper objects, a malicious scheduled task, or a hijacked IE add‑on. and are on the right track: start with Malwarebytes and clean up IE. The following concise, safe troubleshooting flow fills in the missing details and shows what to post back if the problem continues.

  1. Update Malwarebytes Anti‑Malware (MBAM) and run a Full scan. If MBAM is blocked or the scan won’t finish, boot into Safe Mode with Networking and run it there (older Windows: press F8 at boot; Windows 8/10: hold Shift while choosing Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced → Startup Settings → Enable Safe Mode with Networking). Export or copy the MBAM scan log (History → Scan logs) for posting.
  2. Remove unknown IE add‑ons and toolbars: Internet Options → Programs → Manage add‑ons. Remove or disable anything not from a known vendor. Then reset IE (Internet Options → Advanced → Reset).
  3. Run a second‑opinion scan (ADWCleaner or HitmanPro/ESET Online Scanner) to catch adware PUPs MBAM might miss.
  4. Check startup and scheduled tasks: use msconfig/Task Manager (Startup tab) and Task Scheduler for entries that launch IE or strange executables. Use Autoruns (Sysinternals) if comfortable — export a report and paste it if asking for help.
  5. Inspect the Hosts file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts) for unexpected entries, and clear browser shortcuts (right‑click → Properties → Target) that may have appended URLs.

If the issue persists after those steps, post the MBAM log plus OS/version and any Autoruns/FRST logs (FRST.txt and Addition.txt). Back up important files first, avoid unknown paid remote services, and change passwords only after the system is confirmed clean.

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Member Avatar for Rik_

You are most likely infected. Run a full Mbam scan on your computer and post its resulting log here. Mbam can easily be found with google.

Edited by Rik_
Member Avatar for ccbutler

Downlaod malwarebytes, it's free. Install and run, this should find and remove all viruses. Unintsall/disable all browser toolbars. Reset internet explorer to default settings. There are other steps that can done but these are the simplest and should solve your problem. If not you can contact us, we can help via remote support.

Edited by deceptikon because: Snipped fake signature
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