I'd suggest you visit here

http://www.help2go.com/forum.php

Register, start a topic in spyware, and I will help you. Can't conduct the work here.

Try looking into Ad-Aware.com. They used to have a free program that would help with this. My husband is an IT guy and said he hasn't used it in a while but it used to do the job, he's just not sure if it's still free.

Malwarebytes is a fairly simple tool to fix almost any problem with these types of issues.

I spent 15 years in IT and know Ad-Aware, too. It's the parent software, I think, of Ad-Block. Could be wrong, since it's been a while for me, too, so I'll check it out.

I'll check out Malwarebytes and http://www.help2go.com/forum.php
Thank you guys. I'm getting 2-3 extra pages, plus redirects with each click. Sometimes it's just to type in a text box and wham Wham WHAM more crap. If I can see by the overlay ads...

And to think Houzz once/twice tried that crap with toilet paper.

Sounds like you've got the "Redirect Virus", you need to reset your browsers that should get rid of it. Open each browser one at a time of course get into Tools and look for reset on IE options as you scroll down you will see it, follow through on it.

Really? that would be it? Sounds way too easy, LOL!

I just realized I was confusing Ad Block with Ad-Aware. Ad Block is a Firefox add-in. For what good it's doing.

In process of scanning with Malwarebytes and will follow the directions to scan with Super AntiSpyware. Malwarebytes has located 47 problems. Will keep you posted! Thanks for the suggestions.

"I'd suggest you visit here

http://www.help2go.com/forum.php

Register, start a topic in spyware, and I will help you. Can't conduct the work here."

Follow this advice from zep, he is a long time member here and know his stuff. Has helped me several time over there as well.

I've registered. I'm running the requested programs. Malwarebyte removed almist 300 items, and 3 more when I ran it again. Superantispyware is up to 250 items and still running. Once I have the logs, I'll restart and see what happens.

Here's a link to review that members have been referred to more than once.

https://malwaretips.com/blogs/malware-removal-guide-for-windows/

DA

Useful link.

CE, once you get your PC fixed, be sure to use a capable security program that offers realtime monitoring. Be sure it's set for auto-updates and scans, and then do your part by only visiting legitimate websites, avoid clicking on unknown links, and only download what's REALLY essential to have.

The best way to deal with malware is to avoid getting it in the first place.

Yes, Snidley, a keen sense of the obvious, right? The best way not to get food poisoning is not to eat bad fish or drink sewer water. Just don't it.

I do have Mcafee, as I mentioned, but it was pretty destroyed by all this malware -- I'm guessing. How else would a normal, operating program suddenly become corrupt, lose files and SAY it was updating and scanning, while it was obviously on vacation. Snoozing.

I'm going to buy the full program of the SuperAntiSpyware. If it can remove ONE THOUSAND SIXTEEN bad items, it's probably worth it.

I appreciate all the help and direction. This one, in all the years I've been online, I've never dealt with something like this!

CE, I have SuperAntiSpyware free version, and while it's ok, Malewarebytes consistently gets better ratings by users of both. I doubt you need the full version of either, but if you are willing to pay for peace of mind, well that's up to you of course. I suppose that can be a good thing.

How did the scans turn out? is everything back where you'd like it to be?

Malwarebytes only removed 217 pieces of junk, so its effectiveness is good, but I can't argue with over a 1000. I am running both at the moment, since I just installed them. I haven't decided what to do.

At this point, this morning, no pop-ups or redirects. At this point, I seem to be saved. :)

Nice. Have you ever used Ccleaner?

No. At this point, only the 40 programs recommended in everything I've been reading. I'm going to have a lot of trials to uninstall. The hard part is they each keep finding stuff!

I'm not the best 'expert' (probably not even at all that,) and I'm glad those programs are finding stuff, but a word of caution... Sometimes when a scan finds 'stuff', it's not always bad stuff.

A PUP (Potentially Unwanted Program) for example, may be a horrendous problem, or it can be your calendar lol. From what you wrote earlier, it seems you know this already, but in cleaning up systems people have brought to me, it can be very tough to look through every entry a scan picked out. Hang in there, and do your best to look through them all. I surely know how frustrating it can be.

I would have done a System Restore at first notice of anything suspicious.

What's obvious to some isn't obvious to others. If my suggestions are so obvious to you, how did your PC get so infected?

I've been using both SAS and MWB on demand for as long as I care to remember.

My use experience has lead me to the conclusion that neither are full-proof. Though not often. I have found after using one the other will detect something over looked by the first.

SAS definitely appears to be more cookie detection focused. Its PUP detection has been previously been addressed by another.

DA

I have and use MB also run AVG however I still prefer over all except AVG of course, anyway, I love ASC it scans what you tell it to or full scan for everything even registry errors, internet security, privacy sweep, junk files, maleware and more it's up to you and it's Free. and it fixes the errors. automatically or your choice. Been using all for many years N/P's here on my 4 PC's

You're right, RGreen8. I always err on the side of Get Rid Of It, but am taking the time to read through what they're finding and sometimes looking at the source built in. Dell puts a lot of crap on its systems.

I did a system restore and it didn't make one squat bit of difference.

I'm just pretty thrilled that all your suggestions were so effective. I'm back to reading, reading (Pinterest) reading, reading, and web design calmly. Love it!

Thank you all again.

What is ASC aputernut?

Advanced System Care by Iobit. That's the company which years ago was reported to have pirated coding of MWB for their own product. Many users stopped using ASC in protest of the action.

DA

Thanks DA.

Who cares about the past? it's a great, there is no other as comprehensive on keeping your PC clean and running great! I've used it for many years and it's awesome!! Norton has the worst rep of all, it really screws up a PC and does not do as promised anyway, and still folks fall for it?

Why make an unsupported comment like that about Norton?

Norton doesn't have the reputation you suggest. Tens of (maybe hundreds of ) millions of PCs rely on the Norton product. I use it successfully and have been happy doing so for many years. My former employer, a company that's uber security and safety conscious, uses Norton for its tens of thousands of PCs.

Yes, there are several highly regarded and capable security systems and Norton is just one of them. To suggest using Norton causes problems is not an informed comment.

I've linked a recent review of Norton as support for my comment. It mentions as a negative that scans use a lot of PC resources. It fails to mention that scans are usually only done at times the PC is idle. I experience no slowdowns or interruptions in normal use. I've had no infections or malware problems of any kind since I started using it about ten years ago.

Review of Norton from Nov 2015

System Restore does work well. Obviously your problems date earlier than any restore date.

Who cares about the past? In my case I do.

One thing about a liar, thief, or a cheat, I can't trust them ever again.

Like everything Symantec has at times had problems. However, nothing uniquely different than other purveyors.

DA

System restore really should not be employed in any Malware related issue,

"When System Restore first appeared in the market, computer manufacturers and other companies claimed ... that it could remove viruses and fix other problems with the computer.

In reality, System Restore can create copies of the infected files. And some viruses may be capable of infecting the restore volume as well as the actual system files. When a person cleans their computer using an anti-virus, then uses System Restore, they may inadvertently re-infect the computer. Or if they use System Restore as a means of removal, either the restore will fail (if the anti-virus cleans the virus out during the restore process) or the restore will replace the file with an infected version."

We flush all restore points when the Malware has been removed.

Who cares about the past. Hmmm... Very flip.
"Those who forget about the past are doomed to repeat it."
I'm with you, DA_McCoy. Just ask my lyin' cheatin' POC now-ex-DH.
(BTW: Kharma in action: He's fat and his hairline has migrated, which he's trying to hide with the comb-over he once ridiculed. I guess he's forgotten about the past.)
'Nuff said.

I, too have always been a Norton fan. in the early 2000s, though, I had a very odd thing happen. Twice. I was having serious system trouble and for some reason or another I decided to follow Norton instructions and uninstall and reinstall my Norton Anti-virus. It followed some path and deleted my profile. Which included all my not-so-well backed up documents (years of them) my Favorites/Bookmarks, and everything stored in my profile. I recreated, but again, with whatever trouble I was having, working with their reps, I un/reinstalled. Gone again. Of course, they didn't dare tell me (this time) that it didn't happen, just that it "shouldn't have" happened. Huh? Well....

But that was then and this is now.

Zep516, I'm glad you said that about flushing the restore points. I hesitated my finger over that button, but my logic told me the same thing. I had used a month old restore point. Given the fact I thought my McAfee was working for over a month, though, I probably did as you described. After reinstalling the program to replace missing or corrupt files (yes, in my Anti-virus) McAfee told me itself it hadn't run a scan in a month. So there you have it.

I've been flying along, though. Things are going well and I continue to appreciate the help! I did join the board you recommended and am reading. You never know when I might lose my mind again.

Many IT specialists use System Restore to clean up a recent infection. Using Safe Mode and System Restore can and is used by many IT departments to clean the system.

After your system is clean, I highly recommend software that warns you about those malicious sites you've been visiting. :)