Chuko Liang needs help

[ChukoLiang]

if anyone could please think up a solution for this, it'd be great.

Every time I run a search on google or yahoo, I get redirected to some garbage websites disguised as legitimate ones. For example, when I went to download ad-aware again (it won't load the definitions and hasn't for over 300 days, which wasn't a problem til we deleted our anti-spyware (long story)) I got directed to a website that was NOT legit that almost got me to download god knows what.

Ad-Aware couldn't help, I can't even go directly to the website to download it again. I'm fucked completely. Can anyone tell me a way I can get out of this, preferably without spending money?

I need an answer ASAP before it starts blocking foxkei too.

[AmuroRay]

I'm assuming you are using Firefox, and this has happened to me before, I installed this add-on for Firefox, and it's been doing wonderous things for me.
Adblock Plus Download (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1865)

Hope it helps you.

[RimDot]

Man, I don't know... Is it only blocking Google and Yahoo? And when you say redirected, you mean after you search and click on a link or just as soon as you get to Google or Yahoo?

[ChukoLiang]

after I do a search and click on a link.
And no, I don't have firefox. I still haven't installed it because STILL apparently it's 'not important.'

[RimDot]

Can't you go directly to sites?

Have you tried to clear your internet cache?

[AmuroRay]

after I do a search and click on a link.
And no, I don't have firefox. I still haven't installed it because STILL apparently it's 'not important.'

If that is the case, then I'm stumped. Unless you want to use other means to get another software to remove that crap P.M if you wish to join the Dark Side.

[GlassAdam]

I've googled your problem and am seeing a lot of people mentioning a free (I think it's free) program called Malware Bytes or somesuch, that apparently will help you rid yourself of this problem.

Also, I've seen some posts involving taking these steps if you can't get to the Malware Bytes site (due to the redirect problem):
go to control panel > administrative tools > computer management > click on show hidden devices under view, then scroll down to non plug and play drivers, then disable 'tdssserv.sys' restart computer , problem should be solved,

This is all from random googling of your symptoms, so, y'know, use caution...

[ChukoLiang]

I've googled your problem and am seeing a lot of people mentioning a free (I think it's free) program called Malware Bytes or somesuch, that apparently will help you rid yourself of this problem.

Also, I've seen some posts involving taking these steps if you can't get to the Malware Bytes site (due to the redirect problem):


This is all from random googling of your symptoms, so, y'know, use caution...

I get to the part that says "click on show hidden devices under view," and I can't find that option. I'm just going to do a system search for that file name and disable/delete it.

anyone know if this is a good idea, or alternately where that button is?

[Umbrae]

Are you using Internet Explorer? Recently, there was a discovery of a really bad vulnerability in IE.

Follow this link to download Firefox:
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/products/download.html?product=firefox-3.0.5&os=win&lang=en-US

If you get redirected to a different page, let us know and I'll attach the install file here.

Also, download and run HijackThis for spywares and stuff:
http://www.download.com/Trend-Micro-HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10227353.html

[ChukoLiang]

firefox download said it was corrupted, and aborted the setup.

Trend micro program working so far...

edit: No idea how to work trend micro. Deleted a BHO that didn't seem legit and the computer crashed. Decided to, in a last ditch effort to increase computer speed so I can get some antispyware downloads or something, ANYTHING to work, I uninstalled a TON of programs I don't use much anymore. On the chopping block were AOEIII, Daemon tools lite, and utorrent, among many others.

Now then. If you would be so kind as to upload the installer, fox, I'd greatly appreciate it. While you're at it, could you do the same for ad-aware?

[KnightAttack]

Screw Trend.

You need a better anti-virus. You need Nod32 or Kapersky. Come talk to me on MSN or Xfire.

But at least get on Firefox. I can help you out again, if you get on MSN/Firefox.


Also, it was mentioned before, but try it again, DELETE everything from your Internet browser. You didn't say you did that.

If problems persist, I have an alternate site with people that can help you.

[PSRT]

If you're still having trouble, try this:

Download Malware Bytes (http://www.download.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?part=dl-10804572&subj=dl&tag=button)
Boot into Safe Mode
Run it and remove any threats it finds

Firefox is a helluva lot more secure than IE, so definitely install that when you can. Better functionality too!

[GlassAdam]

I get to the part that says "click on show hidden devices under view," and I can't find that option. I'm just going to do a system search for that file name and disable/delete it.

anyone know if this is a good idea, or alternately where that button is?

if you click on administrative tools>computer management>device manager>click the "view" button up at the top>click "show hidden devices">and then this tdssserv.sys should show up in the list. Apparently.

There are, apparently, other ways of finding this file, other pathways... Also, I like PSRT's Safe Mode idea the best.

[Marioarm2]

This is a little bit off topic but the same thing happened to me regarding Ad-Aware not updating. Whenever I tried to update it, they said I had the most recent definitions. After checking the website, I found out that I had definitions that were a month or two old.

[AlucardsFate]

Your just gonna have to try different adware progs till one works...

Usually if Adaware doesn't work for my "Spybot Search And Destroy" has a decent track record.

A passive program you can use...is Javacool's Spyware Blaster. Kind of a spyware/adware specific firewall. All you do is update it, it does the rest.

There is always the X option...total reformat....

[Umbrae]

Go to this folder and download all three files:
http://www.foxkei.com/downloads/psm/

Follow these steps in order:

Install CC Cleaner. When running CC Cleaner, run it on default setting. There are four tabs on the left (Cleaner, Registry, Tools, and Options)... just run Cleaner for now. Don't do Registry.

Run Trojan Killer and then install FireFox.

If CC Cleaner and Trojan Killer failed, try downloading this one:
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html

[ChukoLiang]

thank you for your help, everyone! Glassadam's technique worked perfectly, but I'm still going to work on downloading all these awesome programs you guys supported.

I finally got permission to install firefox!

[Heiae]

Firefox!? FINALLY!

Hahaha..

[Umbrae]

Still, run CC Cleaner and Trojan Killer.

And use Firefox from now on. IE is just a bad.

You'll need a firewall. I'd recommend ZoneAlarm. It's free:
http://www.download.com/ZoneAlarm-Firewall/3000-10435_4-22231.html?tag=mncol

You'd also need anti-virus package. I'd recommend AVG. It's free:
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10320142.html?part=dl-AVGAntiVir&subj=dl&tag=button

There are other ones like Avira (also free):
http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

Check out this list for more goodies:
http://www.firewallguide.com/anti-virus.htm

[GlassAdam]

Glad to see it worked. And Umbrae's right-- I run CC Cleaner often. It's amazing all the weird stuff the program finds that's worth deleting.

[RimDot]

Good to see you got it fixed. FireFox is the best. Be sure to download to download Adblock Plus as an add-on for Firefox. Best thing ever.

And about CCleaner Never and I'll repeat NEVER run the regestry cleaner that thing killed my computer last time I did that and I had to do a clean install.

[GlassAdam]

Ad Block Plus is awesome. 1UP is so much cooler without all those ads around, for starters.

[WanderingMind]

Welcome to Firefox, PSM! I hope you're enjoying it.

[Umbrae]

And about CCleaner Never and I'll repeat NEVER run the regestry cleaner that thing killed my computer last time I did that and I had to do a clean install.
Happened to me too. I blamed myself for not checking what it was trying to "fix".

[RimDot]

Happened to me too. I blamed myself for not checking what it was trying to "fix".

Yeah, apparently it's a good idea to know what your doing. Good thing I'm cocky and say that I know what I'm doing... even though I don't. Something good did come out of it. I got a nice clean install. A chance to start over.

[ChukoLiang]

Thanks everyone. Firefox is awesome.