Why do I keep getting directed to a web site I didn't request?

If you find that your homepage has been altered each time you use Internet Explorer, if or you are directed to a website you didn't wish to see, you may be affected by what's known as a browser hijacker.

A browser hijacker is a small program or registry setting that changes Internet Explorer homepages and search pages. Intelligent browser hijackers do not only change these pages, but also add a small file that will restore the hijacked settings upon each system start.

This type of Malware is sometimes very difficult to detect and to avoid. It is not normally very damaging and the first thing you may notice is being directed to a website you didn't request or seeing some unwanted pop-up windows. Qhosts-1 for instance, simply redirects your browser when you try to go to Google. You may get an error like this:

RUNDLL Error loading C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\ctrlpan.dll a dynamic link (dll) initialization routine failed

There are many variants of browser hijacker. Most exploit a vulnerability in Internet Explorer which can be fixed with this patch.

Further information:

• Malware
  
• CoolWebSearch removal tool
  
• About Qhosts-1
  
• General Malware removal tool