My Internet Explorer has been hijacked by a virus

1. Follow to the letter all the directions in this thread: How to get rid of malware
    1a. You may have to use a non-infected computer for any downloads specified below, until your malware is removed. Use a USB Pen drive or burn to CD or other means to carry the necessary utilities to the infected computer and copy to the Desktop.
    1b. Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool download here off-line.

2. If still no joy you can find Microsoft MVPs and other trained analysts at the following help sites:
Aumha.org
Atribune.org
SpywareHammer
BleepingComputer
Safer-Networking

3. If you need more help with virus-related issues, contact Microsoft Product Support Services.

Visit the Microsoft Virus Solution and Security Center for resources and tools to keep your PC safe and healthy.  If you are having issues with installing the update itself, visit Support for Microsoft Update for resources and tools to keep your PC updated with the latest updates. 

For support outside the United States and Canada, visit the Product Support Services Web page.

 

4. If you need more assistance for the virus/worm post to the Microsoft Newsgroup - Security - Viruses.
Via your newsreader:
news://msnews.microsoft.com/microsoft.public.security.virus
Via Web:
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/list/en-us/default.aspx?dg=microsoft.public.security.virus

 

Hope this helps,

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Vincenzo Di Russo
Microsoft® MVP Windows Internet Explorer, Windows Desktop Experience & Security - Since 2003.
Moderator in the Microsoft Answers Forums Italy
My MVP Profile: https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/profile/Vincenzo

You have much more work to do.

NB: If you had no anti-virus application installed or the subscription had expired *when the machine first got infected* and/or your subscription has since expired and/or the machine's not been kept fully-patched at Windows Update, don't waste your time with any of the below: Format & reinstall Windows.  A Repair Install will NOT help!

Available via the Consumer Security Support home page: https://consumersecuritysupport.microsoft.com/

Otherwise...

1. See if you can download/run the MSRT manually: http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

NB: Run the FULL scan, not the QUICK scan!  You may need to download the MSRT on a non-infected machine, then transfer MRT.EXE to the infected machine and rename it to SCAN.EXE before running it.

2a. WinXP => Run the Windows Live Safety Center's 'Protection' scan (only!) in Safe Mode with Networking, if need be: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/howsafe.htm

2b. Vista or Win7=> Run this scan instead: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/center/whatsnew.htm

3. Now run a thorough check for hijackware, including posting requested logs in an appropriate forum, not here. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!!

Checking for/Help with Hijackware:
• http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
• http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
• http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
• http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Chances are you will need to seek expert assistance in http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0, http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5, http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup, http://www.bluetack.co.uk/forums/index.php, http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30 or other appropriate forums.**

If these procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

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~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) ~ MS MVP (IE, Mail, Security, Windows & Update Services) since 2002 ~ Disclaimer: MS MVPs neither represent nor work for Microsoft