Claro has eaten my browsers... sort of.

I think I managed to contain it because it's not redirecting anymore, nor is it really doing anything other than sitting on my computer refusing to be removed.

However, I'd rather it be just GONE period. It showed up today and I immediately noticed it when it took over Firefox, and then when I checked to see if it was on IE -- lo and behold it was. I didn't even think it was a virus until I tried changing everything back - and this includes using the about:config in Firefox and certain settings refuse to go back to the way I like them.

That's when I knew I had a problem. So I searched on Google about how to remove it completely and not only discovered it was a virus/malware but also I found you and this site.

My general level of knowledge in regards to computers is amateur at best, but by far not a novice. I've taken some very basic college level computer repair and computer programming courses as part of an Avionics course and I'm tech savvy in general but not specifically to computers. I can get things to work and follow basic T/S protocol, as well as understand proper terminology. However I understand computers and programming only to a certain point. I'm more an advanced general user than a true computer wiz.

I have a problem with the browser hijacker known as Claro Search. It showed up no more than four hours ago, and I have been working to get rid of it. I have followed, to the letter, the suggested steps in clearing all browser caches, java cache as well tried to flush the dns (but it failed!) laid out by the how to post in this forum.

This has only managed to stop the Claro search from further hijacking or referring my browsers to other sites but Firefox and IE are still acting a bit off.

At this point, the logs (as per the suggested downloads from this post) attached are the current situation with the computer:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=230267

I have downloaded, and installed, the suggested anti-virus, anti-malware, firewall, etc. and uninstalled the others I had so that I only have one of each.

I will admit that the computer is ancient (can't use it without plugging it in as the battery only has like a minute of battery power even on power saver before it shuts down) and I need a new one anyway, but I'd rather not be using a computer - even in the mean time - that is infected with viruses and malware before I manage to get to a store to get a new computer. Not to mention that if it ever happens again I would like to know how to roast this stubborn little parasite. Yes, I am substituting cleaner words for the words I'd rather use, lol.

Perhaps after we fix this, despite needing a new computer, we can start fixing the other issues this old beast has accrued in its long years of life.

 

Thanks guys, but in the end this particular six or seven year old laptop decided to be used as a football for the US Thanksgiving holiday, even though we're in Canada. Made a fantastic field goal as it was thrown across the line...

... when I tried to use Hitman it just FROZE, and wouldn't let me do anything. Even after repeated restarts and hard restarts. Finally, we decided enough was enough fighting with a computer that really, really needed to be replaced anyway and finally just put it out of its misery.

The hard drive was zero'ed and reformatted and is now in an external case being used as a portable external hard drive and any parts that could be scavenged were ripped out before the case was finally used as said football... the video of it crossing the field goal line will be posted this weekend I figured you'd all get a kick out of that... no pun intended.

Bought a new computer in the today. Much happier now considering I can play my games and actually watch Blu-ray.