Homepage hijack

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Homepage hijack is a term describing one's homepage being changed without one's will and resists attempts to change it back; it remains some strange website.

This is a common problem for many Internet users who are not careful when using their computer. For example, looking at porn sites, playing at gambling sites or game sites, as well as P2P music downloads, file attachments, file downloads, and file transfers. These are high risk behaviors that can bring you higher possibility of viruses.

Another sign that a users homepage has been hijacked by a spyware, is the automatic change of the default search engine of the internet web browser. Any search entered in the address bar will redirect the URL to a spyware site (i.e. coolwebsearch.com, gator.com, etc.) In the case of a heavy spyware infestation, opening Internet Explorer automatically triggers a "mousetrapping" advertisement or dozens that cover the desktop.

There are some tools that can solve this problem. Tools like "Hijackthis.exe", Microsoft Antispyware, Ad-Aware, or Spybot Search & Destroy. These programs allows a infected user to remove a homepage hijack on their system, along with a number of other potentially harmful software including adware, malware etc.,

These tools/software are the most effective when used in safe mode. Safe mode in Microsoft Windows is accessed by repeatedly pressing the "F8" key as the operating system boots (Microsoft's official website for Windows XP simply advises users to press "F8" once,[1] but in practice the exact moment at which to press the key can vary from computer to computer, so it is better to repeatedly press the key at one second intervals). Also, in a multi-boot environment with multiple versions of Windows installed side by side, one can press F8 at the OS selector prompt to get to Safe mode.

[edit] External links

• Hijackthis homepage