The Google Redirect Virus has been around for a few years now. Nevertheless, it still proves a force to be reckoned with for many innocent internet users.

In basic terms, the virus has the capacity to manipulate internet search results. Although it’s named as Google Redirect Virus, it functions the same way in any search engine. The reason that it is named after Google is that most online searches are conducted via Google.

As mentioned, the virus manipulates results in search, which often then leads the searcher to clicking on a disreputable link, which in turn causes their computer to become infected.

Initially, the virus is installed on a computer through an email attachment. The email attachment can be in the form of a plugin or a downloadable file. The file appears to be fully legitimate, and thus can prove difficult to remove from the computer’s hard drive.

Typically, the longer the virus remains on the hard drive, the more damage will be done. The internet search leads to a redirection, and in turn a URL is clicked which will load additional malware onto the searcher’s computer.

Many if not most of the URL’s which show up in the virus-created web search results are in fact malicious. Some are intent on distributing fake security programs. Others are phishing scams (an attempt to acquire valuable information in a non-legitimate fashion).

The malware-ridden websites are generally loaded either by utilizing Trojans or scripts in order to hijack a web browser. The resultant search will show advertising for fake anti-spyware software such as Windows Safety Maintenance or Windows Private Shield. Should these ads be clicked, the searcher can then be led to a phishing site.

What’s more however, there’s always the chance that temporary or permanent and malicious internet files are added to the Windows directory on the searcher’s hard drive. These files can potentially modify a computer system’s settings. The alteration in the computer’s settings may prevent users from opening programs or using features.

Even though the virus-ridden websites appear perfectly normal and innocent, many of them contain malicious coding that can install spyware onto a computer. And once a computer is infected with the Google Redirect Virus, all personal information stored on it is at risk.

As such, to take this virus as anything but very serious is to commit a grievous mistake because it can pose a most thoroughly dangerous threat to a computer.

Once it’s been identified that there is indeed a problem, most users will tend to look for a quick fix. The novice will typically go in search of a security program, which in turn, because it’s a URL that belongs to a malicious website, means that the problem merely hastens from being very bad to even worse.

Contact us for help with your virus issues at 208-856-0435.