What is www2.google.com

[FrankSG]

A friend of mine is trying to repair someone's computer and he thinks it may have a hijack problem. His home page is set to www.google.com. But when he does a search, the first page of hits is a whole series of other search engines. He was told to set the home page to www2.google.com. which would take care of the problem. He did that and now a google search comes up as it's supposed to. So, my first question is: What the heck is www2.google.com. In other words, what's the number 2 doing in there? Second question is: If he runs hijackthis and sends me the log file, can I sent it in here for one of the experts to read?
Thanks. ~Frank~

[Vic 970]

see here

http://www.markcarey.com/googleguy-says/archives/discuss-redirected-to-www2googlecom.html

[mjc]

If he runs hijackthis and sends me the log file, can I sent it in here for one of the experts to read?

Yes, please do...

Chances are if he is having a hijack problem, the described change won't work, because these things tend to check to see if they are still in charge, and then reset things accordingly,

[sleddog]

It's nothing to do with spyware or hijacking. Read the Google Dance (http://www.metamend.com/google-dance.html) (particularly the last paragraph in section "Checking The Google Dance").

[Budfred]

I read the article and I don't see how it rules out the probability of gunkware invading this system. It seems that it just supports that www2.google exists, but it doesn't explain the initial redirection of searches and the likelihood that the scumware will eventually overcome this site too...

[PrntRhd]

Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you.

Actually no harm in scanning just to be certain, heck you might find something else.

:p

[pave_spectre]

Originally posted by PrntRhd
Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they are not out to get you.

Actually paranoia does mean they are not out to get you.
Paranoia:
1. A psychotic disorder characterized by delusions of persecution with or without grandeur, often strenuously defended with apparent logic and reason.
2. Extreme, irrational distrust of others.

If they are out to get you then its not paranoia.

[Budfred]

Not to hijack the thread, but...

If I am paranoid, it means I am delusional. However, if I am delusional about the government spying on me, it doesn't mean that someone else is not ACTUALLY spying on me, thus I am paranoid and they are out to get me....

I believe the original quote was from a man who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and wrote a book about it. He was aware that he was delusional (when he was on his medication anyway), but he had some legitimate concerns about people treating him in a discriminatory manner because of his mental illness. I may not be remembering that exactly accurately, but that is the point of the statement anyway...

[Paul Komski]

www.google.com (66.102.9.99) and www2.google.com (216.239.57.104) are both legitamate subdomains of google.com both having a different IP address.

Here in Ireland, no matter how one enters www.google.com, it gets changed to www.google.ie {which incidentally has the same IP address (66.102.9.99) as www.google.com}. Presumably other countries experience something similar.

"A man believed he was a grain of wheat and was afraid to go outside because a chicken might eat him. After months of therapy his psychiatrist thought him cured of this - but the man still refused to go outside. I know I'm not a grain of wheat, he said, but the chicken doesn't know that".

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Paul Komski
[B

"A man believed he was a grain of wheat and was afraid to go outside because a chicken might eat him. After months of therapy his psychiatrist thought him cured of this - but the man still refused to go outside. I know I'm not a grain of wheat, he said, but the chicken doesn't know that". [/B]
I just got a message from my friend. He said he has the computer fixed.
Thanks for all of your input. Paul--I must respond to your joke. A man went to his psychiatrist and said, "Doctor, there is something wrong with me. I keep thinking I am a dog." The doctor said, "My goodness! That sure is strange. How long has this been going on?" The guy said, "Ever since I was a puppy!":) :)

[Budfred]

How did your friend fix the computer??? If friend has an intruder and didn't root it out, it will probably make matters worse over time...

If he were redirected to other versions of Google, that would be fine, but since you are indicating that he was redirected to other search engines, it means he probably had (or has) some type of malware...

[jeeza]

Originally posted by pave_spectre
Actually paranoia does mean they are not out to get you.
Not exactly. It means that those you think are out to get you, are not out to get you.
It does not imply that others are not out to get you.

Edit : hadn't noticed Budfred's reply, with which I am herewith totally agreeing !

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Budfred
How did your friend fix the computer??? If friend has an intruder and didn't root it out, it will probably make matters worse over time...

If he were redirected to other versions of Google, that would be fine, but since you are indicating that he was redirected to other search engines, it means he probably had (or has) some type of malware...
I misunderstood him about google. I thought that it went to google no matter what he had the home page set for. But he purposely set it to google. I think it then went to other versions of google. He did have some scumware on the machine, but he used something called BHODMAN1.EXE to clean it up.

[Budfred]

I have never heard of BHODMAN1.EXE and couldn't find reference to it on Google, can you ask him for more info about it??? Thanks...

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Budfred
I have never heard of BHODMAN1.EXE and couldn't find reference to it on Google, can you ask him for more info about it??? Thanks...
He sent me the file. If you want, I can sent it to you. Let me know how. Can I send it using this forum?

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Budfred
I have never heard of BHODMAN1.EXE and couldn't find reference to it on Google, can you ask him for more info about it??? Thanks...
I just found a place to download it. Go to http://www.wilders.org/downloads.htm
I had a typo. It is bhodmon not bhodman--sorry bout that.

[Budfred]

Thanks. I believe that program only deal with Browser Helper Objects, hopefully that is all your friend had to deal with....

[FrankSG]

Originally posted by Budfred
Thanks. I believe that program only deal with Browser Helper Objects, hopefully that is all your friend had to deal with....
It must be because he said that the computer is behaving OK now. By the way, it's no wonder you couldn't find any reference to it at first since I had it spelled wrong. This darn key-board of mine makes all kinds of mistakes like that.