Computer Hijacking

Captain_Bandaid · #1 12-30-2003, 04:29 PM

I wanted to alert the group to a new and particularly vicious scam. A pop-up ad is used to insert a program that changes your homepage and prevents you from changing it back. Your new homepage is a 'Portal' to a host of search engines. You cannot type in a URL and click 'Go', you MUST use the search engines. Everytime you use it, the portal gets paid a few cents. Potentially, it could generate a lot of money for some scumbag. There are a host of spyware killers, like SpyBot and AdAware. I installed them but it was too late. I finally downloaded a regsitry viewer and pulled out 12 infected files. SpyBot deleted another 30 spyware programs that had been placed on my computer without my permission. I got my computer back but it took 3 days of work. Websites like this one that need minimum security to work only contribute to the problem. Take time to educate yourselves and learn what you can do to prevent this. Computer Hijacking needs to be a CRIME!

Hi_Ho_Sliver · #2 12-30-2003, 06:25 PM

I had the same problem, what was the homepage that it tried to stick you with? I finally got rid of searchco by going into 'tools', it had changed my homepage default to 'searchco' In my opinion, these politicians could be doing a lot to help our society instead of playing the games they do coddling the duds. Make breaking into your home by a computer a crime just as sure as climbing in the window! I personally do not see a difference! :-/

Captain_Bandaid · #3 12-30-2003, 07:23 PM

I got hijacked by 'www.hugesearch.com' and it took a lot of work to get rid of it. I agree, this tactic is the same as breaking and entering a home. On top of which, you are literally forced to do business with them which constitutes a form of fraud. Where are all the Saviors of the Republic now that the election is growing near?