Browser blocks the term windowsupdate

Discussion in 'Malware Help (A Specialist Will Reply)' started by computeraidedtesting, Apr 7, 2010.

  1. computeraidedtesting

    computeraidedtesting Private E-2

    Here's my problem:

    The term "windowsupdate", spelled exactly like that - without the space between the 2 words, causes IE 8 to return with unable to connect, page cannot be displayed, and offers to test my internet connection, which it finds is OK. In other words, when I use that term, it acts just like my modem is disconnected.
    With the space inserted "windows update", searches are OK. It won't even let me use "windowsupdate" as a search term on craigslist, or even if I use it as a user name in a chat room. I tried "windowsupdat" - that works... "windowsupdater" does not, I get the page can't be displayed/can't connect ,etc.
    Also, Windows Update does not work, because any url with "windowsupdate" in the address causes above problem. (windowsupdate.microsoft.com)
    I ran Malwarebytes program, it found nothing, neither did the AV program Microsoft offers. I also ran Trend Micro free online virus scan, nothing.
    When I first started noticing the problem - I was using Google Chrome, I believe I was at Google News, and a window came up saying it appears Adobe Reader couldn't recognize the new file format? Made no sense, I wasn't viewing any PDF's anyways, so I just closed the window. Chrome crashed, every since then it hangs, even after uninstalling & re-installing. IE 8 still works.
    I tried restoring to an earlier date, no help.
    I'm on a computer at work right now, I wouldn't be able to post this message on the affected computer anyways, because "windowsupdate" is in my text - it would be blocked I'm sure. OS on bad computer is XP Pro with SP3.
    Has anyone ever heard of this strange problem?
     
    computeraidedtesting, Apr 7, 2010
    #1
  2. computeraidedtesting

    computeraidedtesting Private E-2

    I'm back at the problem computer, just tried a search for suspect term in forums on this web site, pressed go, Internet Explorer cannot display the webpage
     
    computeraidedtesting, Apr 7, 2010
    #2
  3. TimW

    TimW MajorGeeks Administrator - Jedi Malware Expert Staff Member

    Welcome to Major Geeks!

    Please read ALL of this message including the notes before doing anything.

    Pleases follow the instructions in the below link:

    READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide


    and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

    • **** If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going. ****
    • Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not. MGtools will frequently run even when all other tools will not.


    • After completing the READ & RUN ME and attaching your logs, make sure that you tell us what problems still remain ( if any still do )!
    Helpful Notes:


    1. If you run into problems trying to run the READ & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode, you can run the steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:

    2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools and the manual updates for SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes ( links are given in the READ & RUN ME) onto another PC and then burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.
    3. If you cannot seem to login to an infected user account, try using a different user account (if you have one) in either normal or safe boot mode and running only SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes while logged into this aother user account. Then reboot and see if you can log into the problem user account. If you can then run SUPERAntiSpyware, Malwarebytes, ComboFix and MGtools on the infected account as requested in the instructions.
    4. To avoid additional delay in getting a response, it is strongly advised that after completing the READ & RUN ME you also read this sticky:

    Any additional post is a bump which will add more delay. Once you attach the logs, your thread will be in the work queue and as stated our system works the oldest threads FIRST.
    ​
     
    TimW, Apr 8, 2010
    #3

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