Babylon

Broadback · Sep 13, 2012, 11:59:24

This program is driving me up the wall. I don't know how it gets on my machine, but it repeatedly does so. I suspect that it is when I download a "free" program from the net. Anyway I have deleted it using the program delete option on the control panel. Also gone into Firefox Extensions and deleted it there. Still when I restart Firefox it has its search address in window, also a reference to it in the page header. How can I get rid of it totally once and or all?

Simon · Sep 13, 2012, 12:24:39

Have you tried CCleaner?

Glenn · Sep 13, 2012, 13:15:11

Is it showing in the mscogfig startup?

Technical Ben · Sep 13, 2012, 14:00:30

I recently got rid of this (might be a "toolbar" program") frpm someone's PC. Seems once Malwarebytes has run and got rid of it (a boot time scan is best!) you just need to set google etc as your new "homepage". The virus scanners/malware removers get rid of the program, but don't change your bookmarks back.

Broadback · Sep 13, 2012, 14:13:57

It shows "Babylon - Mozilla Firefox" as running in the task manager. When I open a new tab it goes to Babylon search page, even though I have altered the home page to Google Search. I will try Malwarebytes, I have now downloaded it, so I only need to understand it!

zappaDPJ · Sep 13, 2012, 15:56:14

Babylon can be a real pain to remove because there's no 'one size fits all' solution. In general you will need to first remove the possibility of a virus that keeps reinstall it, hence Ben's suggestion of using Malwarebytes to kill the source.

Depending on being able to identify and remove the source, I can probably talk you through a compete removal process but it's likely to be somewhat protracted and may involve a total reset of your Firefox installation.

Post back if you need any further assistance

Broadback · Sep 13, 2012, 16:44:19

I downloaded and ran the free version of Malwarebytes, it found a number of problems, but nothing to do with Babylon. I have no idea how to run malwarebytes at start up. I would be quite happy to remove Firefox if that might solve the problem.

Technical Ben · Sep 13, 2012, 17:23:22

It would be under "boot time scan" I believe, possibly under "advanced settings" or "advanced tasks". You only need to click something like "restart my PC and scan", sorry, not got it installed this second to check. The reason being is the virus scanners (or malwarebytes in this case) do get rid of it, but it's already running, so it loads back on the HDD. If you scan before windows loads, you stop the virus dead in it's tracks. In this case Malwarebytes may have found it, but it might have a different technical name.

Broadback · Sep 13, 2012, 17:55:11

Quote from: Technical Ben on Sep 13, 2012, 17:23:22
It would be under "boot time scan" I believe, possibly under "advanced settings" or "advanced tasks".

I have looked carefully and can find nothing like this. Are you sure it not only applicable to the full version?

Steve · Sep 13, 2012, 17:57:40

I think you might be right it's a scheduled task perhaps only available on the pro version.

zappaDPJ · Sep 13, 2012, 17:59:54

Quote from: Broadback on Sep 13, 2012, 16:44:19
I downloaded and ran the free version of Malwarebytes, it found a number of problems, but nothing to do with Babylon. I have no idea how to run malwarebytes at start up. I would be quite happy to remove Firefox if that might solve the problem.

It won't flag Babylon as a virus because it isn't one as such. However it has almost certainly detected the virus that's causing Babylon to be reinstalled all the time. Try removing all traces of Babylon now via the operating system add/remove program function and from within FireFox itself. This is assuming you have quarantined and deleted all the problems listed by Malwarebytes.

Steve · Sep 13, 2012, 18:02:26

There is a fully functional 14 day trial version.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_trial/

Technical Ben · Sep 13, 2012, 21:52:44

Quote from: Steve on Sep 13, 2012, 17:57:40
I think you might be right it's a scheduled task perhaps only available on the pro version.

Nope, if the program finds something that needs checking only at boot it does it. I did it 2 weeks ago on a friends pc with the free version. I just don't remember the option off hand. I think it was after the scan "some items were not accessible, press OK to do a boot time scan to get rid of these". But if it's not giving you that option, I guess it already did all it can this time.

Broadback · Sep 14, 2012, 09:59:47

Thank you all for your help. Eventually I had the bright idea of looking in "Help" in Firefox itself.

Why didn't I do that earlier?? There is lots of useful information on it, obviously a common problem. The favorite solution was the one I took, and it worked. Now how can I be sure that the blasted thing does nor creep up on me again?

Steve · Sep 14, 2012, 10:04:02

You never know with David Gray around

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDh1x38osHs

Broadback · Sep 14, 2012, 10:10:03

Now that is as pointless as the software Babylon!

Steve · Sep 14, 2012, 10:11:20

Glenn · Sep 14, 2012, 10:28:56

For an older clientèle http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGyfxOCYvtM

Steve · Sep 14, 2012, 10:38:29

Broadback · Sep 14, 2012, 10:49:09

Shakes his white locks, not old enough.

Ray · Sep 14, 2012, 10:54:03

Steve · Sep 14, 2012, 11:07:31

Quote from: Broadback on Sep 14, 2012, 10:49:09
Shakes his white locks, not old enough.

You asked for it!

http://soundcloud.com/dusttodigital/rev-t-t-rose-and-singers

With free background hiss.

I think I prefer the Black Keys version

Ray · Sep 14, 2012, 11:08:46

Broadback · Sep 14, 2012, 12:21:34

I remember it well.