Requested URLs turning into searches...

[Ian Francis]

I am having this wierd problem with my address bar. Whenever I type an
address without the http:// (which usually indicates that the address is
local, like a web served database), instead of going to the address it turns
it into a search on www.search-direct.net. I suspect I have been hit with
some sort of spyware that is causing this as the problem has only recentlly
started. Anyone know how to stop this?

Thanks,

Ian

 

[David Adner]

Some spyware, annoyance apps, etc modify the Registry to change the
default URL for your IE address bar. Try searching the Registry for
that address and modify as necessary. You should only perform this if
comfortable directly modifying the Registry.

 

[Ian Francis]

Thanks. It ended up being related to that "CoolSearch" spyware that has
been floating around. I downloaded the clean tool and upgraded my
explorer... everything seems OK for now.

Ian

 

[Steve Nielsen]

Much easier (and safer) to use Spybot Search and Destroy and/or AdAware
to scan and remove the pests.

Steve