404 search error

[Dick]

I am also having a problem with all my major search
engines (Google, Ask, etc.) being re-routed to either an
404 error message or the Just Hosting web site.
According to the web site the problem was caused by a
virus that is re-routing search requests to their
servers. They suggested that I run a new Microsoft
update to fix this. It did not seem to help - I am still
getting the same error. Does anyone know how to fix this?

 

[Hans Le Roy]

Hi,

It might be a problem with your HOSTS file. Search for a file with that name
(no extension) on your disk, open it in Notepad and remlove line scontaining
google.com etc. Save the file and reboot.

It might be wise to check for spyware and adware using Spybot (www.kolla.de)
and AdAware (www.lavasoft.de).

Kind regards

Hans Le Roy
MS MVP Win/IE-OE

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP]

I am also having a problem with all my major search
engines (Google, Ask, etc.) being re-routed to either an
404 error message or the Just Hosting web site.
According to the web site the problem was caused by a
virus that is re-routing search requests to their
servers. They suggested that I run a new Microsoft
update to fix this. It did not seem to help - I am still
getting the same error. Does anyone know how to fix this?

First eliminate any scumware.
See
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

 

[H Leboeuf]

If all fails, then.

Qhosts virus/trojan, ALERT!.

http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/trojan.qhosts.html
http://vil.nai.com/vil/content/v_100719.htm
http://www.sophos.com/virusinfo/analyses/trojqhosts1.html

Removal tools that have been used with success.
http://www.brown.edu/Facilities/CIS/Software_Services/virus/index.html
http://software.brown.edu/dist/w-cleanqhosts.html

Be sure that you install hotfix 828750 which fixes the exploit that this
virus uses:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/downloads/critical/828750/default.asp