"Not Found...404" When Searching Google

[tjansen]

My friend's computer suddenly started getting a "not found" message, with the number 404 appearing also, when trying to use Google. Any ideas for fixing it? They tried deleting cookies to no avail.

Thanks,

Tom

[surayu]

Is any other website loading as normal? if not, your friend's connection might just be down for some reasons

[bartender100]

There is a very bad Google re-direct virus going around at the moment, I know because I have it, and cannot shift it, might be connect to your problem

[beano2274]

can be a typing error, or the fact the computer has been infected.

If he was in the UK it would be funny as BT uses that to block illegal websites.

[tjansen]

The Google-specific virus makes the most sense. Everything else works as normal.

Thanks

Tom

//

There is a very bad Google re-direct virus going around at the moment, I know because I have it, and cannot shift it, might be connect to your problem

[genf]

Yes. I had the very same problem a couple of weeks ago.

The solution is quite simple, please do the followings;

1. Close all browsers.

2. Go to:- Start / Run

3. Type = notepad C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts <ENTER>

The content of 'hosts' file should look just like below.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

# Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.

#

# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.

#

# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each

# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should

# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.

# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one

# space.

#

# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual

# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.

#

# For example:

#

# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server

# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

# This HOSTS file created by Dr.Web Scanner for Windows

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

# ::1 localhost

127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com

_____________________________________________________________________________

4. delete everything else extra; especially anything relating to Google.com

5. re-save the file.

6. Run your favourite browser and try to open Google.com

7. Voila, Google.com will be running as normal.

Good luck.

[endure]

# Copyright © 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.

#

# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.

#

# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each

# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should

# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.

# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one

# space.

#

# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual

# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.

#

# For example:

#

# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server

# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

# This HOSTS file created by Dr.Web Scanner for Windows

# 127.0.0.1 localhost

# ::1 localhost

127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com

Who's a naughty boy then?

[Crossy]

Who's a naughty boy then?

555 I spotted that too, a slight oops here

[Tywais]

Who's a naughty boy then?

555 I spotted that too, a slight oops here

Yep, me too. As for Google in the hosts file, I can think of no way it would get there without it being manually added.

[BB1950]

Who's a naughty boy then?

555 I spotted that too, a slight oops here

Yep, me too. As for Google in the hosts file, I can think of no way it would get there without it being manually added.

Believe it or not, there are some malware that DO modify the hosts file.

[samtam]

I too have this Google re-direct virus, which sometimes takes effect and other times does not. If the solution suggested by genf is not correct, what is?

[Tywais]

Believe it or not, there are some malware that DO modify the hosts file.

You're right, an oversight on my part.

[BB1950]

One of the most annoying computer infection that you can ever encounter is Google redirect virus. It needs to be removed as soon as possible.

Most people will struggle to get rid of the Google Redirect Virus because most big named anti-virus company software cannot detect it. The virus itself can be difficult to remove because it does not leave a "trace" or "footprint". Don't worry, it is not as difficult as it sounds!

Here is a solution:

http://pctechnotes.c...redirect-virus/

If for some reason you are unable to download the file then TDSS may be blocking it. What you can do is to download TDSSKiller from a clean computer then transfer it to any external drive or USB flash drive to run it on the infected computer.

You might have to rename TDSSKiller to run it. Do not change the extension in the name (i.e. ".com" or ".exe").

The creator of the google redirect virus is smart enough to know what TDSSKiller can do.

[bartender100]

One of the most annoying computer infection that you can ever encounter is Google redirect virus. It needs to be removed as soon as possible.

Most people will struggle to get rid of the Google Redirect Virus because most big named anti-virus company software cannot detect it. The virus itself can be difficult to remove because it does not leave a "trace" or "footprint". Don't worry, it is not as difficult as it sounds!

Here is a solution:

http://pctechnotes.c...redirect-virus/

If for some reason you are unable to download the file then TDSS may be blocking it. What you can do is to download TDSSKiller from a clean computer then transfer it to any external drive or USB flash drive to run it on the infected computer.

You might have to rename TDSSKiller to run it. Do not change the extension in the name (i.e. ".com" or ".exe").

The creator of the google redirect virus is smart enough to know what TDSSKiller can do.

Thanks for that, unfortunately , it finds one threat, but cannot "cure" it because its locked.

[BB1950]

One of the most annoying computer infection that you can ever encounter is Google redirect virus. It needs to be removed as soon as possible.

Most people will struggle to get rid of the Google Redirect Virus because most big named anti-virus company software cannot detect it. The virus itself can be difficult to remove because it does not leave a "trace" or "footprint". Don't worry, it is not as difficult as it sounds!

Here is a solution:

http://pctechnotes.c...redirect-virus/

If for some reason you are unable to download the file then TDSS may be blocking it. What you can do is to download TDSSKiller from a clean computer then transfer it to any external drive or USB flash drive to run it on the infected computer.

You might have to rename TDSSKiller to run it. Do not change the extension in the name (i.e. ".com" or ".exe").

The creator of the google redirect virus is smart enough to know what TDSSKiller can do.

Thanks for that, unfortunately , it finds one threat, but cannot "cure" it because its locked.

Maybe running TDSSKiller in Windows Safe Mode will help.

[bartender100]

BB1950

Not worked,it found nothing in safe mode, thanks anyway, I also ran Malwarebytes in safe mode, and that found 2 items, but has made no difference the redirect is still there.

[surayu]

Have you tried a "System Restore" yet? And what about using a different browser?

[BB1950]

BB1950

Not worked,it found nothing in safe mode, thanks anyway, I also ran Malwarebytes in safe mode, and that found 2 items, but has made no difference the redirect is still there.

It's difficult to remove. Here are suggestions from Google:

The following are only some of the malware removal forums that you might consider. During times like this, where there are very sneaky and resistant forms of malware circulating, you may have to wait a few days to get any assistance.

In some forums, if you get impatient and bump your thread (creating a response) you may be overlooked because the helpers will assume that someone else is helping you and move on to the next person.

Be sure you follow the forum directions for where to post and what kind of information to provide them with.

Malware Removal Forums

www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?

www.dslreports.com/forum/cleanup

www.geekstogo.com/forum/forums.html

http://gladiator-ant...forum/index.php?

www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?act=idx >>>> (Ad-aware)

http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/ >>>>> Malwarebytes Anti-malware

http://forums.spybot.info/ >>>>> (Spybot Search & Destroy)

www.spywareinfoforum.com/index.php?

www.techsupportforum.com/

http://forums.majorg...isplay.php?f=35

From:

http://www.google.co...ort/forum/p/Web Search/thread?tid=6df7e15519290612&hl=en

Did you check your hosts file for Google entries?

Do you use a DNS server other than the one provided by your ISP?

[bartender100]

The advise is to turn off system restore while you try to flush it out, and that wipes out your restore points I think, and yes it still happens with out browsers and search engines, never mind thanks for your all your help anyway, its not to bad I click on the address bar after I open a search inquiry and that stops it redirecting. In the next week or so I am going to do a clean install of Win7, so that should solve the problem