My system restarts on pressing Windows key and mutes/unmutes on pressing Ctrl key

3

1

Two days ago, I was trying to download software from http://download.cnet.com/

Cnet asked to install cnet toolbar and I thought that I wouldn't be able to download the software unless and until I installed the toolbar.

After installing the cnet toolbar I found that cnet has also installed Babylon toolbar on my Firefox and also its desktop application.

From that day my system is behaving weirdly.

  1. PC shuts down if i press 'Windows' key
  2. Sound mutes and unmutes itself every time i press 'cntrl' key..

Has anybody experienced anything like this?

Is it possible for third party to force hot keys?

Sangram

Posted 2011-08-10T10:47:06.923

Reputation: 382

The correct address for that site is http://download.cnet.com not cnet.download.com. You may have inadvertently accessed a site that capitalized on the mixup to push malware. I just tried to download something from the legitimate site, and it did not ask me about any toolbars.

– jonsca – 2011-08-10T10:50:26.977

dude... my urlis incorrect..but i knw the real cnet site..i just didn't copy paste it.. :P – Sangram – 2011-08-10T11:06:04.093

Yes, but the fact is, I downloaded something 5 minutes ago, and I wasn't prompted for any toolbar. Have you scanned for malware? – jonsca – 2011-08-10T11:07:30.933

wait lemme search that link again..may be i will get some clue.. – Sangram – 2011-08-10T11:08:52.497

http://download.cnet.com/Technitium-MAC-Address-Changer/3000-2085_4-10554920.html its the link..original software is of 1.26MB but cnet makes u download the CNET installer and tool bar..for so called secure download.. – Sangram – 2011-08-10T11:18:14.967

Okay, I've gone there and clicked download now, and it downloads without any prompts. I'm using Chrome, but that shouldn't make a difference. – jonsca – 2011-08-10T11:22:03.117

what is the size of the software? is it of 1.26MBs or 443 kbs? – Sangram – 2011-08-10T11:26:19.013

@jonsca let us continue this discussion in chat

– Sangram – 2011-08-10T11:26:26.360

3I wrote up a brief answer and linked to the transcript of the chat – jonsca – 2011-08-10T11:52:19.567

1Yes, Jonsca. i wanted u to write the answer..Thanks – Sangram – 2011-08-11T07:36:53.930

Answers

5

The solution is to beware of all of the options that the install programs have checked by default. In this case, the toolbars being installed by one of these options, and were likely creating this mischief on the system.

Addendum: the user is going to get in contact via email to cnet and let them know that one of their prepackaged toolbars may not be on the level.

jonsca

Posted 2011-08-10T10:47:06.923

Reputation: 3 889

Transcript of chat: http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/1043

– jonsca – 2011-08-10T11:48:33.223

Btw..i scanned the pc with malware bytes, they were malwares but it problem still persists – Sangram – 2011-08-11T07:41:12.177

1

@Sangram Hmm, well good that you found the malware. Those present might be hiding others so don't give up hope yet. This is a very comprehensive post about removing viruses and malware.

– jonsca – 2011-08-11T07:46:56.833

Asked: 2011-08-10T10:47:06.923

Viewed: 1 704 times

Active: 2018-06-30T23:37:53.650