[Resolved] Search redirects and no updates

Update Adobe Reader
Recently there have been vunerabilities detected in older versions of Adobe Reader. It is strongly suggested that you update to the current version: Adobe Reader 9.1
You can download it from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
If you already have Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition installed or do not wish to have it installed Uncheck the box which says Also Download Adobe Photoshop® Album Starter Edition.

Adobe 9 is a large program and if you prefer a smaller program you can get Foxit 3 instead from http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/rd_intro.php

Clean Up
Now we need to clear out the programs we've been using to clean up your computer, they are not suitable for general malware removal and could cause damage if used inappropriately.
Remove Combofix
The following will implement some cleanup procedures as well as reset System Restore points:
Click Start > Run and copy/paste the following bolded text into the Run box and click OK:
ComboFix /u
OTCleanIt
Download OTCleanIt here & save it to your desktop.
Double click on OTCleanIt.exe. Click on CleanUp!.
You will receive a prompt that it needs to restart the computer to remove the files. Click Yes.
It will restart your computer automatically. If it doesn't, please restart your computer manually.
You can also delete the following:
DDS.scr
RootRepeal
Gooredfix
Any logs saved to your desktop

With regard to the error on bootup; is it always the same error message, I mean is this number "0x0012e619" always the same or is it random?
Would you be able to get the exact error message for me if it happens again?

The Error reads: SyncServices.exe application error The instruction at 0x0012c619 referenced memory at 0x00000000. The memory could not be written. Click OK to terminate. This still comes up toward the end of every shutdown. All other items removed as requested. Adobe is updated.

Hi Apologies for the late reply. Been having internet issues the last few days. That application error relates to Maxtor products & apparently is a known issue. SyncServices.exe is basically used to sync your Maxtor external hard drive to folders on your computer. We'll try the most obvious thing first. I see you have Maxtor Manager in your Add/Remove programs list. If you don't use it try uninstalling the Maxtor Manager via Add/Remove Programs to see if that helps with shut down error. Let me know how you go.

No problems regarding the replies. I feel that you really helped me conquer the problem. I am very appreciative. as far as the Maxtor, I have disconnected the Maxtor external hard drive until we had given an all clear. I will take this as being the ok to reinstall the external drive now. If this is a known issue with Maxtor, then I won't worry about it unless you have seen a sollution.

Hi
The only solutions I saw regarding that error was to either delete syncservices.exe file or disable that service using MSConfig. You could still use the external hard drive, just not that feature of syncing folders. I'll leave that choice to you.

Other than that you appear to be All Clean.

All Clean
Congratulations, good work, your system is now clean. Now that your system is safe we would like you to keep it that way.
Take the time to follow these instructions and it will greatly reduce the risk of further infections and greatly diminish the chances of you having to visit here again.

Create a Clean System Restore Point
Create a new, clean System Restore point which you can use in case of future system problems:
Press Start->All Programs->Accessories->System Tools->System Restore
Select Create a restore point, then Next, type a name like All Clean then press the Create button and once it's done press Close
Now remove old, infected System Restore points:
Next click Start->Run and type cleanmgr in the box and click OK
Ensure the boxes for Temporary Files & Temporary Internet Files are checked. You can choose to check other boxes if you wish but they are not required.
Select the More Options tab, under System Restore click Clean up… and click Yes to the prompt
Click OK and Yes to confirm.

Microsoft Windows Update
Microsoft releases patches for Windows and Office products regularly to patch up Windows and Office products loopholes and fix any bugs found. Install the updates immediately if they are found.
To update Windows
Go to Start > All Programs > Windows Update
To update Office
Open up any Office program.
Go to Help > Check for Updates

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware is a new and powerful anti-malware tool. It is totally free but for real-time protection you will have to pay a small one-time fee.
You can find a tutorial here.

SpywareBlaster
Download and install Javacools SpywareBlaster from here
SpywareBlaster adds a list of ActiveX controls, tracking cookies and sites which will be blocked in either Internet Explorer or Firefox browsers. You need to manually check for updates regularly.

Download and Install a HOSTS File
A HOSTS file is a big list of bad web sites. The list has a specific format, a specific name, (name is just HOSTS with no file extension), and a specific location. Your machine always looks at that file in that location before connecting to a web site to verify the address. So the HOSTS listing can be used to "short circuit" a request to a bad website by giving it the address of your own machine.

Download BlueTack's HOSTS Manager here, using Internet Explorer (Firefox won't work):

• Double click the Installer on your desktop and let it Install the Hosts Manager
• After the installation is complete, click on the Hosts Manager icon on your desktop. (You can delete the other Hosts Switch icon from your desktop)
• When the Hosts Manager comes up, click the small down arrows on the right side of the bar labeled Options and Tools,
• Click Disable DNS Service. This is important
• In the Left Pane, click Download
• It will load 80,000 lines or more. When it finishes, also in the left pane, click Replace, and then click Save

You can use this manager to handle your HOSTS file download, edits, and most any other HOSTS issue.
If you have a separate party firewall or Winpatrol, you may have to give permissions at various times to Unlock the present default HOSTS file and install the new one.

Install WinPatrol
Download it here
You can find information about how WinPatrol works here

Read some information here on how to prevent Malware.

Hopefully these steps will help keep your computer clean.

Stand Up and Be Counted —> Malware Complaints <— where you can make difference!
The site offers people who have been (or are) victims of malware the opportunity to document their story and, in that way, launch a complaint against the malware and the makers of the malware.

Since this issue appears to be resolved … this Topic has been closed. Glad we could be of assistance. If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread. Everyone else please begin a New Topic.