The Google Redirect Virus

Viruses are some of the worst forms of malware because they tend to wreak havoc on the systems they infect. The Google Redirect Virus is no exception.  Make sure your antivirus software is up to date to protect your computer from this virus.

Also known simply as the Redirect Virus, this malware infects computer systems when users visit malicious sites or download compromised software. The Redirect Virus has infected some systems when users clicked on what they thought were legitimate websites in a search engine.

The Redirect Virus hijacks search results in an attempt to get you to purchase unreliable and unnecessary software or entice you into other scams. Basically, when you search for something, usually through Google, the Redirect Virus sends you to advertisement sites and will not allow you to visit legitimate sites.

In addition to sending users to bogus sites, the Redirect Virus gives error messages claiming, “filename.exe is not a valid Win32 application.” The Redirect Virus will also falsely claim that setup files are corrupt and send you into an endless debugging loop when you try to download software. The Redirect Virus infects Internet Explorer and Firefox, and will only send you to malicious advertising sites, blocking access to legitimate sites through search engines.

Although the Redirect Virus doesn’t seem to actually damage window files, it is probably one of the most annoying viruses out there. Computers infected by the Redirect Virus are unable to access any search engine, so you must instead use a cut-and-paste method directly in the browser to get to the websites for which you have searched.

Windows systems have historically been vulnerable to malware attacks, and Microsoft is taking steps to correct that problem with more protection and firewalls built into its operating systems to keep viruses such as the Redirect Virus from replicating.

One way to protect your computer system from infections like the Redirect Virus is to never download or install unknown software. Users of chat, instant messaging and peer-to-peer sharing software should be particularly careful because this is one method that spreads the Redirect Virus. It is imperative that users of these types of applications are vigilant in their antivirus protection efforts and run updates and scans regularly to be sure their systems are protected adequately.

Installing website-rating software is another way to protect computer systems. Several antivirus software applications offer features that include a rating system that appears when you place your cursor over a website in a search engine. This feature can insure that you click only on legitimate websites and will help you avoid infections by the Redirect Virus.

Unfortunately, protection against malware such as the Redirect Virus can only happen if your antivirus software is current. The Redirect Virus has been around for several years and should therefore be blocked by good antivirus software before it attacks your system. Firewalls and email-filtering systems will normally check attachments before you even receive them, and may even keep you from receiving some attachments. However, many people are lax in their virus protection and rarely run their antivirus software on a regular basis, leaving their personal information vulnerable to computer attackers through malware like the Redirect Virus.

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