# Major computer problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 16, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-computer-problem/486164 "2009-02-16T20:57:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-computer-problem/486164/1 "2009-02-16T20:57:19Z")
I have never had a computer bug before and I don’t really know what to do. Over the past day I have had a major problem accessing files. If I click on my computer for example, a Google web page opens with _win32.DNSChanger_ in the search bar and a whole list of websites that supposedly solve my problem. The only way to access my files is to do a search. If I open Internet Explorer, I get the same Google page along with this message _Error! [Your computer was hijacked by dangerous virus! Some results was changed by porn advertising, your passwords and other private info no more in safe! You must to clean your system immediately to prevent it. Download the newest anti-virus software!_. \*This links me to download some program but its got a different name each time I click it Mozilla is kinder and will allow to access websites. I am using Windows XP ver 5.1.2600 service pack 3 Any suggestion on what I should use to get rid of this? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-computer-problem/486164/2 "2009-02-16T21:01:08Z")
Don’t use the program that you’re being directed to. Sounds fishy. Using Mozilla, can you contact microsoft? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-computer-problem/486164/3 "2009-02-16T21:04:12Z")
malwarebytes anti malware, may need to use another PC to download it but its a pretty good one shot killer these days on most virii/spyware. ---
**Author:** ![KlondikeGeoff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3e96dc/32.png) [@KlondikeGeoff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KlondikeGeoff)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-computer-problem/486164/4 "2009-02-16T21:05:58Z")
No immediate solution to the problem, but am wondering whether you have a virus or a some spyware. I assume you have antivirus and antispyware programs installed. I also hope you download the latest definitions daily, or set them to automatically download. And finally, you should probably run them daily, or very frequently. If you have an antivirus program, try to boot into Safe Mode and run that, and any antispyware programs you have and see if it will fix it. And if you get it fixed, eschew Internet Explorer that is more prone to getting malware, and stick with Firefox. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2009, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-computer-problem/486164/5 "2009-02-16T22:57:17Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > malwarebytes anti malware, may need to use another PC to download it but its a pretty good one shot killer these days on most virii/spyware. That did it!!! Thanks. Didn’t cost me a penny. Viva La Dope!!! ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/major-computer-problem/486164/6 "2009-02-17T18:50:07Z")
> [@solkoe](#): > > That did it!!! > Thanks. > Didn’t cost me a penny. My bill is in the mail…I imagine my check will be too. 😃