[bikergeorge]

Though I always have McAffee running I keep getting to www.protectionways.com instead of google.com as my home page when starting up IE.
I think I may have been infected with something.
I've read up on MALWARE.... first time I heard of it was at this website. Is this what I may have?
Can you direct me to anywhere other than the one Malware removal page?
I don't feel 100% comfortable with running the various removal software listed. In addition, how do I know that these places don't have any hidden stealthy software running in the background on my computer?

Thanks in advance for any help

[Advertisements]

When it comes to malware, you're probably going to have to trust someone eventually. Ad-Aware is one of the more reputable scanners for this, and will be the best way to resolve this. There are manual methods, but someone who knows what they are doing in getting malware into your PC can make this a very painful process.

You could try searching your registry for "protectionways" and see what comes up. Manually editing the registry is not without risks of its own, however. One false step could irretrievably render Windows inoperative (other than by complete reinstall, I mean).

It's also possible that a redirect entry has been added to your HOSTS file to make all Google attempts redirect to this site. HOSTS is a (normally) hidden file with no extension. It can be edited with Notepad.

And there are other ways, too. I'd still recommend malware/spyware removal tools.

[O/Siris]

When it comes to malware, you're probably going to have to trust someone eventually. Ad-Aware is one of the more reputable scanners for this, and will be the best way to resolve this. There are manual methods, but someone who knows what they are doing in getting malware into your PC can make this a very painful process.

You could try searching your registry for "protectionways" and see what comes up. Manually editing the registry is not without risks of its own, however. One false step could irretrievably render Windows inoperative (other than by complete reinstall, I mean).

It's also possible that a redirect entry has been added to your HOSTS file to make all Google attempts redirect to this site. HOSTS is a (normally) hidden file with no extension. It can be edited with Notepad.

And there are other ways, too. I'd still recommend malware/spyware removal tools.

[Murray S.]

Howdy and welcome to GTG:

I suggest you go to the Malware Forum and run all the steps located in the START HERE. These self-help tools will help you clean up 70% of problems on your own. If you are still having problems after doing the steps, then please post a HiJackThis Log in THAT forum. If you are unable to run and/or post a HJT log, then post that in your initial post in the topic you create in that forum.

If you are still having problems after being given a clean bill of health from the malware expert, then please return to THIS thread and we will pursue other options to help you solve your current problem(s).

Murray

[bikergeorge]

The solution to my problems seems to have been to switch to Mozilla's Firefox.
Now even when I switch back to IE I don't have the problem.

[don77]

FF is a temporary fix you should still have the machine checked out but thats your call.
Any and all tools required to run on your machine by the malware staff are safe to run

best of luck

[123Runner]

Whatever malware/ virus/ nasties you have can bring in others and possibly render the computer worthless. Please, at least , have it checked in the malware forum.