Internet Explorer 8 has commandeered my search engine!

[The Backlash Cometh]

I'm having major problems with the interaction between my browser and my security software -- Trend Micro. It started around Christmas time and I thought I had resolved everything by updating Trend Micro and updated Internet Explorer. Everything worked well for a few days, but suddenly, today, almost every other url gets blocked. I went into Trend Micro and put all the settings down to "low," restarted the system and everything worked well for a few hours. Now Internet Explorer 8 is sabotaging everything.Even when I type specific urls. For a couple of seconds you can see a screen with a tab that says, "Diagnose the problem" and then it goes to a generic search list as if it can't find the exact url.

Then Internet Explore 8 has a pop-up window that suggests I download their new search features.

Should I do that, or is this another Microsoft intrusion?

[RC]

1. does Firefox work the way it is supposed to?

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. I think the answer is to get another browser.

I'm not experiencing any internet problems with the computer that has Mozilla. I've held onto to this browser only because it caters directly to my email downloads.

[hobbit709]

3. Forget Internet EXPLODER.

[The Backlash Cometh]

4. It's ridiculous the way it has taken over.

Pushy program.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

5. First, dump Trend Micro

It's complete garbage. I use a combination of Avast (free), Malwarebytes (free), Super Antispyware (free), and a router with a firewall in it that's locked down pretty tight.

Second, stop using Internet Explorer. IE8 is better than IE7, but it still doesn't perform as well as Firefox or Chrome.

Third, I don't think the problem is with IE - I think your browser has been hijacked. Try one (or all) of the problems I mentioned and switch to Firefox and you should be okay.

[The Backlash Cometh]

6. I just finally yielded and uploaded it's Window Search program.

It's too early to tell, but everything is working fine. I don't one bit feel comfortable with this program because I suspect all my internet activity is now in their hands. Not to mention that I still hear "grinding" noises in the background, suggesting that some program is in action doing God knows what.

I'm going to get Mozilla as soon as pssible.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. I just updated to Mozilla.

Problem solved.

[EvolveOrConvolve]

8. Nice!

It's amazing how much simpler life is when you're not tied down to the crappy Microsoft products (and I'm saying that as a Microsoft professional).

Glad to see you're working better! :hi:

[defendandprotect]

10. There are a number of us reporting infected browsers . . .

I was using google browser and it was definitely infected --

Firefox, same --

I think when you have these viruses anything you bring into the computer gets

infected???

AVG was infected and reporting it's own infections!!

Same with Zone Alarm -- or are they all fake reports???

Allegedly the infected Internet Explorer pushed me into AntiVirus Live which is

a fraudulent company!!

[defendandprotect]

9. My Internet Explorer is infected . . .

and finally wouldn't let me go anywhere unless I signed up for Antivirus Live --

don't do it!!

Turn off the machine and go to the library to find an answer of that happens to you.

I went back to IE because my google browser got infected --

Thought IE being part of Windows that it wouldn't be infectable!!

Good luck!!

[truedelphi]

11. I think it is possible that something called Cult Trojan has infected you.

See if you can get your program manager to come up.

Often I can get that to run by hitting control button at same time as i hit the alt button and shift and delete. NOTE: Pls save all your work first!

If you see the following file mentioned TWICE - it may mean that Wuauclt.exe is disguising the Cult Trojan.

Wauclt.exe is supposed to be the file that automatically updates your Windows program.

But currently this virus is using a file with that name to take over.

[Jersey Devil]

12. Sounds like your IE8 security settings are set too high

Maybe Trend Micro adjusted them for maximum paranoia?

In IE, click on Tools, Internet Options, then go to the Security tab. The slider should be in the middle on "Medium-high". If yours is set all the way to the top on "High" then that may be what is blocking sites on your computer.

PS - as for the search problem when you type in a url, unfortunately IE8 sometimes searches what you type in "Bing", but if you add a www. before the name of the site it will not do that. Kind of a step backwards if you ask me. What you can do to disable that search feature is go to the top right just under the red X and click on the arrow on the far right and then "manage search providers". Highlight (single click on ) "Bing" (the default which you can change) with your mouse and you will see a link below that says "disable suggestions". That will stop that damned Bing search when you type in urls without the www in front.

[Historic NY]

13. don't turn on their suggested setting and change the seach settings.