Cannot Access Google or Search on Yahoo

Kaspersky Online Scanner was not available ... ran ESET instead with the following log entry:


C:\_OTM\MovedFiles\12282009_175514\C_WINDOWS\System32\drivers\etc\hosts Win32/Qhost trojan

Hi paulthal,

Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:

• Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
• In Control Panel, double-click Add or Remove Programs.
• In Add or Remove Programs,
  highlight HijackThis 2.0.2
  click Remove
• Close the Add or Remove Programs and the Control Panel windows.

Please delete the GMER executable that you downloaded to your desktop. It will be named oqh562nq.exe

Now delete the DDS icon from your desktop.

OTM - Clean up

1. Double click on OTM.exe to run it.
2. Click on CleanUp!
3. When done, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Please do so at this time.

If your computer does not automatically restart, please restart it manually.

Reset the system restore points:

1. Right click on My Computer and select Properties.
2. Select the System Restore tab.
3. Check (tick) Turn off system restore on all drives box.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer.

After restarting your computer, follow these steps:

1. Right click on My Computer and select Properties.
2. Select the System Restore tab.
3. Uncheck (untick) Turn off system restore on all drives box.
4. Click OK.
5. Restart your computer.

Note: Do this only ONCE, do not reset regularly.

• Update your AntiVirus Software and keep your other programs up-to-date
  Update your Antivirus programs and other security products regularly to avoid new threats that could infect your system.
  You can use one of these sites to check if any updates are needed for your pc.
  Secunia Software Inspector
  F-secure Health Check
  
  Security Updates for Windows, Internet Explorer & Microsoft Office
  Whenever a security problem in its software is found, Microsoft will usually create a patch so that after the patch is installed, attackers can't use the vulnerability to install malicious software on your PC. Keeping up with these patches will help to prevent malicious software being installed on your PC. Ensure you are registered for Windows updates via Start > right-click on My Computer > Properties > Automatic Updates tab or visit the Microsoft Update site on a regular basis.
  
  
• Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs.
  
  A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
  
  Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
  
  
• Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.

Follow this list and your potential for being infected again will reduce dramatically.

Here are some additional utilities that will enhance your safety

• MVPS Hosts file <= The MVPS Hosts file replaces your current HOSTS file with one containing well know ad sites etc. Basically, this prevents your computer from connecting to those sites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1 which is your local computer
• Winpatrol <= Download and install the free version of Winpatrol. a tutorial for this product is located here:
  Using Winpatrol to protect your computer from malicious software

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.

Also, please read this great article by Tony Klein So How Did I Get Infected In First Place

Happy surfing and stay clean!

As it appears this issue has been resolved,