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When I search in any search engine, I get the right results but when I click on the links they take me to different pages. This only happens in Internet Explorer 7 not Mozzila Firefox.

I have scanned from safe mode with CCleaner, AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5, Spybot Ad-Aware SE Personal and Windows Defender. Please help.

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Dani AI

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Since ended up reformatting, the following focused notes are offered for anyone who faces the same symptom (search results that open the wrong pages) and wants ways to diagnose or prevent it without a full reinstall.

Common causes to check: browser-level hijackers (add-ons or BHOs), proxy or PAC settings changed, a modified HOSTS file, Winsock/LSP hooks, or DNS manipulation at the router level. To quickly tell if the problem is local or network-wide, try the same search on a different device using the same network. If multiple devices show the wrong pages, suspect router or DNS compromise.

Quick diagnostics and simple fixes to try first:

Test DNS resolution with nslookup and compare the IP to expected results. Check the browser's proxy settings and the local HOSTS file (C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts). Reset network components and clear DNS cache:

ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

Reboot after running those commands.

If avoiding a reformat: run a full, current antimalware scan, inspect startup and browser extensions with an autoruns/extension viewer, remove unknown add-ons, and use a rescue/boot scanner if a rootkit is suspected. Before restoring files from backups, scan them on a known-clean machine. After cleanup (or after a reformat) change all important passwords, update OS and firmware, and check the router admin password and DNS settings. Use a modern, supported browser going forward to reduce exposure.

Member Avatar for Member #155094

Never mind, I reformatted.

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