Firefox Has Been Taken Over By Winfixer

Posted by spann37 on Fri, 08/12/2005 - 00:52Counter Troubleshooting

Lately I've been having trouble with my Firefox browser. When I start the browser after my home page loads up, I am quickly re-routed to winfixer.com telling me than an error has been detected. Along with the website taking over the brower I get message windows asking me if I want to let winfixer scan my computer. I have tried clearing my cache, history, cookies and everything. I have even done a system restore on my computer to a time when the browser didn't have any problems and it still happens. I have run scans with Spybot and Microsoft Antispyware and had my system cleaned by both programs but I cannot seem to get the Winfixer browser hijacker from taking me to where I don't want to be. Does Mozilla have any troubleshooting techniques that I can use that will fix this problem?


Submitted by Paeniteo on Fri, 08/12/2005 - 09:26.

I wonder what this has to do with "Home » Syndicated Download Counter
» Counter Troubleshooting" (see also http://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=node/view/14063) but anyway...

If you got infected with some kind of spyware, the only 100% safe way is to reformat you machine...
The 95% way is to use stuff like adaware, spybot search&destroy, antivirus software and the like.

Submitted by antenore on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 21:56.

I found the same problem and I'm working to resolve it.

I'll let you know how I have fixed it...

Submitted by antenore on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 22:36.

Ok...
Using GNU/Linux out of habit and as a matter of principle I don't update my Windows installation as much as is needed...

So, updating Spybot S&D with the last version I've realized that not only winfixer but also lots of others Ad/spyware was living in my sad box...

Anyway now it is clean and without reinstalling anything...

In the hope that this can help you..

Bye,
Antenore.

Submitted by on Thu, 09/01/2005 - 22:16.

Are you also running IE at any time? or just FF

be honest ;)

take a look at this it may help
http://www.tenebril.com/src/info.php?id=461193304

- Ian Hayward

Submitted by GeeksToGo on Wed, 10/26/2005 - 07:04.

Here's a good place to start: http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=2852