Harish Palaniappan's

Got that Fast internet connection; then you sure had this problem

If you had the experience of browsing the web through first-use of a new high-speed internet connection, then you might agree with having got irritated of being hijacked online.
"The browser hijacking problem".

For the case of non-technical users of the internet, they would wonder what happened when a new browser window pops open, while they didn't intend to do so. It irritates, it disturbs the browsing activity. Its more disturbing when something unethical pops-up asking for permisssion to download adult material or worser, already open a window with disturbing content.

"Browser hijackers" as they are popularly (and irritatingly) called, could be ad pop-ups or unintended redirection of the browser web address by malicious code.

Very often these are simply changes made to the user's system settings. Especially, systems running the windows operating system (Malicious script writers target windows for obvious reasons -Causing more damage since more users use only windows).

The malicious changes could be triggered by code on websites or code on downloads and software installations, 99% of time through unpaid ad-based software installations.

If you do a reading on these softwares, you would come across terms like spyware, adware, malware, etc., While malware are written for simply causing damage and irritation, adware could try open unintended pop-ups with advertising content, and spyware is worser, it would spy in the background as you work on your system, and send information to some website on your browsing pattern and stuff like that (Marketing material for some stupid unofficial companies).

Why does someone write malicious scripts? and whats so funny about getting people irritated, u ask. If you had been a programmer at school or college, you would have had some interest in malicious code yourself, trying to shutdown your pal's system while he works, or lock a system setting from being changed and seeing the red on your friend's face.

But people who write malicious script and pass it on the web are obvious enough having more fun than tolerable levels. The law has its way on these fellas for misusing useful and sensitive technology. Almost all countries have cyber laws to caution and if found beyond limits, arrest these script writers for the economical and emotional damages caused.

But you cant get every malicious script writer arrested since that would mean arresting a huge lot of people (Really! a huge lot).

Only huge economical damages are dealt by the law. For others, we better handle it with anti-malicious scripts, and to be much better use virus scanners and protection software as neccessary.

I have had quite a few experiences(actually irritations) on such malicious scripts running on my computers at home or office, and it does take quite a few hours or sometimes days to fix problems and avoid the same problem in the future.

Some help here and there could save a lot of time for people, and better-of save lot of people from getting irritated.

I recently got a new high-speed connection from a provider Tata Indicom, at home here in India. And the instant I started browsing, the browser hijackers started working. Then I did the below mentioned 2 steps, and now I am comfortably using my internet connection. Though the below steps might not stop irritations 100%, they would get you into some tolerable zone. :o)

Happy browsing!

Steps to stop browser hijackers!
> First and foremost, add/change your "hosts" file and secure it "read-only"
Download this file, hosts.zip, extract it, and put it in the proper directory as below. **Importantly, right-click to properties on this file and set the 'Read-only flag' to ensure that no malicious script changes this file without your notice.

Put file in applicable locations based on your windows version.
Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Windows 2K = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC
Win 98\ME = C:\WINDOWS

If a hosts file already exists, you can rename it safely and put this file.
I got this file and more information at http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Now that important protection is done (most hijackers modify the 'hosts' file only and work from there), lets us install a protection software.

> Secondly, install a protector to avoid spyware, adware, malware, etc.,.
I have been using "Spybot" for almost three years now, and its good and safe to install. (For the record, I even once or twice made a few dollars as donation to the developer of this software. Just thought it might add a little to support his work and keep the software free longer.)
SpyBot Search & Destroy download site.

(With all illustration credits to its respective owners)
Illustration by:
Steve Oerding (Black & White caricature)
Rico Schacherl (color caricature)