C/P
by Melissa King, Demand Media
It can be extremely frustrating if you are trying to visit a Web page but are automatically redirected to another. This tactic is sometimes used to as a way to direct your attention to an advertisement. Other times, a hacker may be trying to install spyware or malware on your computer. If you would rather not have your Internet browser redirected for these purposes, you can put a stop to this activity whether you are using Internet Explorer or Firefox.
Internet Explorer
Step 1
Open the Internet Explorer browser and click on the "Tools" menu at the top of the page.
Step 2
Click on "Internet Options," then click the "Security" tab. In the "Security Level for this Zone" box, use the slider to set the security to "High." This stops Internet Explorer from using ActiveX, preventing Web pages from redirecting you to others. Although this stops the redirecting action, legitimate websites may not load properly, or at all. Some functions on websites become disabled, such as links to other websites, video or PDF files. This method is extreme, but it stops redirects while you scan the computer for viruses.
Step 3
Click on "Trusted Sites." Add any websites that you go to frequently and that you trust. These websites will behave as normal, without restrictions.
Step 4
Run anti-spyware or anti-malware software on your computer (see Resources). Redirects are often causes by a virus, which software can find and eliminate. If any viruses are found and deleted, this is likely to end the redirects you are experiencing.
Step 5
Go back to the "Internet Options" window, and set the security slider back to its initial position. If the anti-spyware program eliminated the source of the redirects, your browser now behaves normally.
Firefox
Step 1
Open the Firefox browser and click on the "Tools" menu.
Step 2
Click on "Options," then click on the "Advanced" tab. Navigate to the "Accessibility" box, under the "General" tab.
Step 3
Click the check box next to "Warn me when websites try to redirect or load the page." Click "OK." This option stops a redirect from occurring, and notifies you of the situation. You may then allow or deny the redirect. Use this feature to browse the Web while you look for the source of the redirects, which may be a virus.
Step 4
Use an anti-spyware program (see Resources) to uncover any potential threats to your computer, such as a virus or infected file. This may be the cause of the redirects. Anti-spyware programs generally scan your hard drive and delete suspicious files for you. This often stops your browser from redirecting.
Step 5
Uncheck the box next to "Warn me when websites try to redirect or load the page" once the source of the redirects has been removed. This option may also be left on for additional security in the future, if desired.