about dot com as a stepping stone?

[morningstar]

I have noticed a large proportion of my web searches lately result in an empty "about.com" window before moving to my target url.

My Avast antivirus has found nothing. My CCleaner does not stop it. I am going to try Hijack This...

Is this normal? Have I got a security problem?

Thanks

morningstar

[Ting Ho Dung]

Not normal. Try Malware Bytes unless you can understand pages and pages of code from Hijack This.

[mathman]

Check what your homepage is set to in preferences.

[morningstar]

Did not think it normal. I used HiJack This and killed a whole bunch of useless 01, 04 BHO lines and a couple suspect looking 23 codes and the problem dried up. It's been a while since I last used it, and today's computers sure do have a lot of entries. Sheesh.

Then I ran a full deletion shred with secure over write of all file slack. 9 Passes. I don't have a week to wait for that 35 pass thing.

I am pretty sure it's dead. If there is any doubt I will kill it again (with the usual disturbingly malevolent glee).

I will give Malware Bytes a good looking over and download any good sterilization utilities.

Thanks for the assist!

morningstar

PS Added - Hey Mathman, is that Dinsdale on the drums? My brain hurts! tm

[mathman]

morningstar

PS Added - Hey Mathman, is that Dinsdale on the drums? My brain hurts! tm

I've used "My brain Hurts" as an avatar before and something clicked so I made the drum one.