Member Avatar for Mike1212

Help me. Heres the problem: Everytime I click on a link after I googled something, I will get redirected to some random website. One website has a green globe icon to the left of the address bar.
And when I'm on the computer now, my computer is super laggy. I'm thinking It's because of the redirecting problem. Causing my internet to be slow. My internet was originally very fast. I've ran malwarebytes anti malware full scan with updated versions, hasn't found anything. I can't access my windows live onecare security either so I can't access my security. PLEASE HELP ME. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ON FOR 2 WEEKS.:icon_cry::icon_sad::icon_sad::icon_sad:

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Short summary and context: — this looks like a textbook browser/traffic hijack (redirects + slow browsing) rather than a pure network slowdown. was right to point at the hosts file and to run Malwarebytes in Safe Mode, but there are several other places that malware or a misconfiguration can hide (hosts, proxy settings, browser helpers, DNS on the router, or even a rootkit). If multiple devices on the same network show the same redirects, treat the router as suspect first. (eset.com)

Practical, prioritized checklist (do these in order):

  • Confirm whether other devices (phone/tablet/another PC) on the same LAN have the redirect. If yes, log into the router and verify DNS entries or do a factory reset and change the router admin password. (eset.com)
  • Inspect and restore the Windows hosts file to the Microsoft default using Notepad run with elevated rights (don’t use commands you aren’t comfortable with). Microsoft has step‑by‑step hosts reset instructions if entries are present. (support.microsoft.com)
  • Clear browser/proxy and network settings: check Internet Options → Connections → LAN Settings for a proxy, reset the browser to defaults, then flush DNS and reset Winsock if needed (ipconfig /flushdns and netsh winsock reset). These steps often stop redirect behavior and fix connectivity corruption. (learn.microsoft.com)

Scan and cleanup tools to run (in Safe Mode with networking where possible):

  • Run an adware/hijacker remover like AdwCleaner first, then a second‑opinion scanner such as HitmanPro or Kaspersky’s on‑demand tool for rootkits. If the machine is heavily infected, create rescue media (bootable scanner) on a clean PC and scan offline. Use Autoruns (Sysinternals) to inspect and disable suspicious startup items, BHOs and toolbars. (help.malwarebytes.com)

If these steps don’t stop the redirects or the router is locked down, back up important data and consider a factory router reset plus a clean OS reinstall. Note: Windows Live OneCare is obsolete; use a current, supported anti‑malware product for future protection. (blogs.windows.com)

If any step produces logs (AdwCleaner, Malwarebytes, Autoruns), post those logs — they help point to the exact hijacker.

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Member Avatar for cguan_77

try to restart your computer in safe mode and ran malware bytes..check if it will help or try going to command prompt then type: cd windows\system32\drivers\etc
then at this folder rename the hosts file to something else like h.txt type: ren hosts h.txt..check if it will normally..

Edited by cguan_77 because: n/a
Member Avatar for Mike1212

try to restart your computer in safe mode and ran malware bytes..check if it will help or try going to command prompt then type: cd windows\system32\drivers\etc
then at this folder rename the hosts file to something else like h.txt type: ren hosts h.txt..check if it will normally..

okay i ran malwarebytes updated version full scan in safe mode. Didn't get anything. Command Prompt"Cd windows\system32\drivers\etc" is not a command prompt because when i type it in it says cannot be specified or something. I use windows xp.

Edited by Mike1212 because: needed to put my type of computer
Member Avatar for cguan_77

okay, to use that command prompt... go to start->run-> then at run window type-> "cmd" without quotes.. then command prompt window will open.. type-> cd\ to go to c:\ directory then follow instruction at post #2
here's a screen shot of that command prompt..

cmd.JPG 31.94 KB
Edited by cguan_77 because: n/a
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