URL's entered turn 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

 

[Mike Burgess]

Ian,
"search-direct.net" = Coolwebsearch Trojan

How to remove Coolwebsearch and affiliates
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm#Coolwebsearch

Note: this type hijack indicates an unpatched machine, that is lacking
in "Defense". Please visit Windows Update to avoid these exploits.
____________________________________________________________
Mike Burgess [MVP Windows Shell\User] http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Blocking Spyware, Adware, Parasites, Hijackers, Trojans, with a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [updated 02-18-04]
Please post replies to this Newsgroup, email address is invalid

 

[Ian Francis]

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