Internet searches hijacked by "http://search.searchcompletion.com"

[gastrof]

Recently I started having these small windows pop up from the side as I scroll down any results I get from an internet search.  Usually happens when the scroll bar is about two thirds of the way down.

"Would you also like to know about....?"

I checked the properties of the link provided, and it showed it'd take me to "search.searchcompletion.com".

This afternoon such a "side pop" window actually showed up on an internet page I'd gone to from the search results.

I've looked up the website itself on an internet search, and it seems it's a scam site that may be doing phishing.   I don't know how or why it got into my computer, and can't seem to get rid of it. 

Aside from clearing off my hard drive and starting anew (not a possibility), any idea what I can do to get rid of this thing? 

[smith6612]

Try running a full scan with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and SUPERAntiSpyware. You might have an infection on your system causing this to occur.

http://malwarebytes.org/

http://superantispyware.com/

After the scans are done and any threats have been removed (Tracking Cookies are not threats, they're Potentially Unwanted for a reason), open up Command Prompt by entering "cmd" into either Run... or into the Start Menu Search Box and run the following command:

ipconfig /all

List up the IP address or addresses you see listed for the DNS servers.

[gastrof]

Whatever it is, it's a smart little critter.

I used both Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware, but all that's happened is the "side pop" thing now won't allow me to "x" it away.  It does disappear (usually) if I reload a page.  (I think once or twice even that wouldn't work.)

I also tried using a free registry cleaner (Wise Registry Cleaner) found on cnet.com, but the problem persists.

Using "ipconfig /all" as a search term produce no results, and trying to run it as a program led to a DOS window opening for a split second, then vanishing immediately.

Any other suggestions?

In doing searches for the website URL, one help forum suggested going to your internet provider for help.  That's what got me to come here.  I'd sort of hoped someone from Verizon would notice and step in.

*sigh*

[smith6612]

ipconfig /all needs to be ran directly from the command prompt, as I mentioned in the PM I just sent you. the "ipconfig" program does not have a function programmed into it to keep itself running and opened if you enter it directly into run.

[gastrof]

I'm afraid you're going beyond my computer knowledge.  The "command prompt"...  How do I use/do that?

By the way-

The rotten thing is actually showing up here on the Verizon forum, and now since it won't "x" away, it's blocking about a quarter of my browser window, lower right side.

[houkou_onchi]

Check out:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup

I had a relatives computer that was basically hijacking the google search results. Clicking on any of the results didn't bring you to the page you searched for. You also couldn't run task manager and stuff as it auto-closed. I forget which thread it was but it had some good information with a tool that removed it.

[smith6612]

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@houkouonchi wrote:

Check out:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup

I had a relatives computer that was basically hijacking the google search results. Clicking on any of the results didn't bring you to the page you searched for. You also couldn't run task manager and stuff as it auto-closed. I forget which thread it was but it had some good information with a tool that removed it.

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Does ComboFix sound familiar? 🙂