There are so many viruses that enter the web world every day. Google Redirect Virus is one such latest malware to hit and infect millions of PCs worldwide. It is a search engine related virus that redirects Google and other search engine’s search results to malicious websites and spyware sites.
1. Does Your Computer Have A Redirect Virus?
It's easy to find out if your computer is infected with redirect virus. When using search engines,
like Google for example, you can find yourself in some strange situation. The website you are
trying to reach, is not the website your browser end up. You go back to search engine, search
the keywords again and found same results, so you click on the same link again and... you are
on yet another website.
If this happens- you should be sure your computer is infected with redirect virus. This is fact
gets even worse when you look at your task bar and see that your antivirus application is there
not seeing this at all.
In general- redirect virus is not going to crash your computer, infect documents and
applications, or send a ton of spam to your friends via email. It's main function is what it
sounds- redirect you to another websites when you are using search engines. When you know
site domain and type it in address bar, you will be send to that domain, but if you want to
search it via search engines, you probably will be redirected to another website.
How To Remove Redirect Virus
Currently there is only one method to remove redirect virus and it will require to use one of the
two programs- Backdoor.Tidserv Removal Tool- by Symantec, or Anti-Rootkit Utility
TDSSKiller- by Kaspersky Labs.
The Backdoor.Tidserv Removal tool is little bit complex to use, but it's still quite easy. All you
have to do is to:
-Download this application from Symantec site (link:
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2010-090608-3309-
99 ).
- Next you have to close up all your programs. If you are a Windows XP user, you
should aslo turn of your System Restore.
- After you done that press right mouse button on this application and choose "Run As
Administrator".
- Read careful Redirect Virus Removal instructions. If it prompts to restart your
computer then agree when you are ready.
- After restarting run program again to be sure it's all clear and if you are Windows XP
user, turn on your System Restore.
Kaspersky TDSSKiller is simpler:
- Download TDSSKiller from Kaspersky site (link: http://support.kaspersky.com/faq/?
qid=208283363 ).
- Press right mouse button on this application and choose "Run As Administrator"
- After program loads up and updates press "Start Scan"
- Delete all threads found by TDSSKiller.
2. This is in fact simpler and not require you to restart your computer, but there are sometimes
problems with this application, like when you are running it from Windows XP or older
TDSSKiller could not boot up. It's because TDSSKiller is designed for Windows Vista and
Windows 7. Sometimes when program updates, it can freeze on 80% of loading screen. You
just have to run it again or download it again from same link.
How To Protect Your PC From Redirect Virus
The best way to protect your PC for future attacks of this virus or any of it's clones, is to install
and update antivirus software, as well as let it run in your task bar, and don't force shutdown
antivirus whenever it will popup. Which antivirus you should choose? You should choose
yourself, because most of common antivirus companies are aware of redirect virus and they
already have a build-in solution in their software.