A Short Overview on How to Eliminate the Google Redirect Virus

The virus world has become a battle of attrition as hackers and antivirus manufacturers find more ways to outsmart the other, the former creating new malicious software that the other side counters with more effective antimalware products. The Google redirect malware is no different; its creators have intended it to infect Windows-operated computers by having their browsers link up only with spurious Internet sites. It is so virulent that it can avoid the scrutiny of most antiviral products. This step-by-step guide will help you eliminate this virus from your PC.

The Google redirect malware works by inducing the Internet browser to show you a different and oftentimes dangerous website than the one you are searching for. It may surprise you to learn that most antivirus programs have been unable to get rid of this virus, you need to terminate the virus yourself.

First of all, you will need to access the "lmhost.sam" file in your computer directory; this is the Windows system 32 file that the Google redirect malware has altered to cause the redirecting in the first place. Type the line "C:\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc\" in the search panel of Windows Explorer to access this file. You will see the "lmhost.sam" file opened by the Notepad application, it holds the outline of the DNS (Domain Name System) Redirect. After opening it, get rid of any Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and domain names that have been written into the "lmhost.sam" file and then save your work afterwards; this will prevent the virus from altering your Google searches any further.

To further ensure that your Google search is not changed by the Google redirect malware, you will need to modify the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) settings of your Internet browser. By doing this, you will have to see how your PC is networked or connected to the Internet by accessing the system control panel. In the "Network Connections" section, you will be able to discern how your computer is linked up to the Internet and see its TCP/IP attributes. There will be a small box placed there with the setting "Obtain an IP address automatically." Place a check mark in this box to have your computer access IP addresses by itself. This will undo the redirecting abilities of the Google redirect malware.

Also, you may need to check the settings of your Internet browser to see if the virus has changed it. If you suspect this has happened, go to the Internet browser settings and look for any alterations in it. If you see any, undo them by putting a check mark on the "no proxy server" selection. After you have done all of the previous steps, have your antivirus software do a comprehensive scan of your computer system for any traces of the Google redirect malware. They can appear as Trojans or spyware or any other form of malicious software. By doing this, you can completely eliminate the Google redirect malware from your PC.

It pays to have the right antiviral program installed in your computer. However, if you suspect that your PC is infected with something as complex as the Google redirect malware, you might need to do the cleaning yourself and then let your antivirus program do the rest afterwards.

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Google Redirect Virus: How It Can Do Powerful Harm to Your Computer and You

The Google Redirect Virus is an abnormal computer virus. It is very hard to eliminate, and most anti-virus programs will not be able to detect its existence on your computer. This specific virus is known as a Trojan Horse or a Browser Hijack Object (BHO). There are presently two variations of this virus infecting computers. One is called the "TDSS" Trojan Horse whilst the other is merely known as the Generic Redirect Virus. This is not a virus you want to infecting your computer.

This virus can be caught through several methods. It can come from downloading videos, screen savers, MP3s, and from illegitimate download websites. A website might appear to be reputable but infects your computer with the virus when you make a download. There is no warning that this virus is going to infect your computer which makes it even much more harmful.

Most computer viruses use a file or an application which runs on your computer constantly. Antivirus software program can detect most of these programs and files and eliminate them prior to them becoming dangerous to your computer. This is a different kind of virus. Instead of installing something on your computer, it changes some of your computer's web browser files then disappears.

Indicators You Have the Google Redirect Virus:

You do searches on the internet and land on completely unrelated websites.
Your internet searches result in a variety of pop-up windows and ads.
Your desktop background has been changed.
Virus elimination websites are blocked.
Your homepage has been modified, and you are can't change it.
Your Windows HOSTS file has been altered.
Your web browsers are noticeably slower when loading pages.

Dangers From from this Virus:

As said before, this is a very harmful virus. Not only will it redirect you to websites which you didn't search for, but it will also take you to destructive websites. The virus is also able to disable security programs and activated firewalls which maintain your computer and its contents safety.

With out these safety measures in place, hackers can have access to your personal information stored on your computer such as passwords and usernames. Your personal financial records can sometimes be accessed as well.

What To Do If You Have the Virus

It is essential that you discover you have this virus as soon as possible so that you can remove it. Removal of this virus is not an easy job. You won't be able to use the antivirus software program you have on your computer to eliminate the virus as it won't function to rid your computer of this virus. There is no particular file or application to eliminate. This virus has buried itself into your computer, and you're going to require specific software program to eliminate it.

There are several methods for eliminating the virus, but not all of them are reliable. You want to make certain that you select a removal technique which you know is going to get the job done. You don't want to eliminate a part of the virus or mask it. You want to completely eliminate it forever.

Logan Mars is a writer who loves working with computers and writing about them. Take a look at his new website, Google Redirect Virus Removal 2011 which covers topics including the Google Redirect Virus, how to remove Google Redirect Virus, and much more.

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