Question by Tonic: Why does google desktop randomly open up in my browser?
I don’t know what’s changed, I haven’t used google desktop at all lately but recently whenever I open firefox, a minute or so later google desktop opens on my browser. I really want this to stop, it’s frustrating.
Thanks for some of the helps guys, but I did what it said on the video (going to certain pages) and none of them were redirecting like expected and my antivirus can’t find any problems?
Best answer:
Answer by Lucy Girl
I don’t think it is google desktop. I think your browser has been hijacked. If you have no antivirus then run
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials
and and that is done then run
http://www.malwarebytes.org
Add your own answer in the comments!



I think you have been infected with the Rootkit “Google redirect virus”.
http://www.freepcsecurity.co.uk/2010/06/12/defense-center-removal/
http://www.freepcsecurity.co.uk/2010/06/15/browser/
You can go to the site as there is a YouTube video tutorial on how to remove this similar Rootkit. They are very common! You will have to download TDSSKiller and Rkill and Malwarebytes’ anti-malware.
You can also stop the start up of Google Desktop. Go to Start -> Run -> Type in msconfig -> Click on Startup tab -> Click on Google Desktop program -> Disable it -> Apply -> OK -> Reboot your computer.
Finally, just uninstall Google Desktop and see if it happens again. Maybe it doesn’t like the competition with Firefox!
It’s not the browser problem. It’s your computer that contains virus. Virus-scan your computer and make sure that you remove the virus.