Terance said:
Who is Level3.net????
It seems that all of my information is 'filtered' through them regardless of
what search engine I use, or what site I am searching.
I have a suspicion it is the location of an xml file which is preventing me
from seeing 'things' based on keywords and other criteria. Yes, my computers
have been hacked by someone using the WebWatcher program, which
coincidentally offers just that type of service.
Can anyone explain who Level3.net is???? Why do all of my Microsoft
searches return the results from their IP addresses?
Doesn't look particularly good:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...zilla:en-US:official&q=Level3.net&btnG=Search
But it doesn't really matter who exactly Level3.net are; any redirection
like you are describing is indicative of infection. Either go through
the virus/malware removal steps outlined below or back up your data and
do a clean install. It's your choice.
Go through these general malware removal steps systematically -
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
Include scanning with David Lipman's Multi_AV and follow instructions to
do all scans in Safe Mode. Please see the special Notes regarding using
Multi_AV in Vista.
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Multi-AV - instructions
http://www.pctipp.ch/downloads/sicherheit/35905/multi_av_scanning_tool.html
- download site
The site is in German but David's tool is in English so don't let that
worry you. Scroll all the way down to almost the bottom of the page and
you'll see a box titled "Infos Zum Download - Multi-AV Scanning Tool".
You'll see "Download von www pctipp.ch" and the live link to download
Multi_AV.
You can also check to see if there are targeted removal steps for your
malware here:
Bleeping Computer removal how-to's -
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum55.html
When all else fails, run HijackThis and post your log in one of the
specialty forums listed at the first link above (not here, please).
Not all tools used will work in Vista and you will need to run them
elevated. If you are unable to remove the infection by following the
general steps, register at one of the HijackThis forums as suggested.
Standard caveat: If the procedures look too complex - and there is no
shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a
professional computer repair shop (not your local version of
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). Please be aware that not all local shops
are skilled at removing malware and even if they are, your computer may
be so infested that Windows will need to be clean-installed. Have all
your data backed up before you take the machine into a shop.
Malke
