Many strange characters inserted to URL

[binovc]

Could this be a virus?

 

I use the "Cleanup!" utility from stevengould.org.  However when I attempt to visit the website, my browser automatically changes "www.stevengould.org" to the following, and never completes loading (well after several moments I close the page because I'm worried about it).

 

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCAQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stevengould.org%2F&ei=ALxwVLv1JIyaNvXygZgO&usg=AFQjCNFj15BnuXXyAV59UeyhZO9rKgHkvw&bvm=bv.80185997,d.eXY

 

Can you tell me what's going on?  I ran a malwarebyres scan which detected nothing.  I can easily reach the website from my tablet.

 

The problem occurs on my hp desktop pc running XP SP3, and happens in both IE 8.0 and Firefox 11.0.

 

Thanks.

[daledoc1]

Hello and welcome back:

 

We can't work on malware diagnostics and removal in this sub-section of the forum.

So, for expert assistance, I suggest that you please follow the advice in this pinned topic: Available Assistance For Possibly Infected Computers.
It explains the options for free, expert help >>AND<< the preliminary steps to expedite the process.
A malware analyst will guide you through the scanning and cleanup process.

Thanks,

 

{{P.S. Firefox 11? That version was released in March 2012. The current version is 33.1.1. I sure hope you aren't really using such an old, insecure browser on a version of Windows that no longer receives security patches? Just saying.... }}

[binovc]

Ok, thanks. 

I just booted this one up after quite a wile of not using it because my "good" computer left me unable to boot ("load needed dlls for kernel"), and I haven't figured THAT one out yet.  Maybe if I update the browsers that will fix me up...  I really hate computers.

[daledoc1]

Hi:

 

Well, if you're having serious problems with BOTH computers, you might want to follow the advice in my earlier reply.

 

If you do, please be sure to start a clearly labeled, SEPARATE, NEW topic in the correct forum area for each of the 2 computers.

In general, we recommend checking for malware first, over in the malware removal section (with the requested logs).

Once the helper there provides the "all clear", s/he may refer you to another area of the forum (e.g. PC Help), if other, non-malware issues need to be resolved.

 

Thanks again,