annoying pop up

In the last few days everytime I open a web page including this one, that annoying pop up comes along the right side of the screen hiding half of what is on the page. I constantly have to scroll to the top and x out of it. How do I stop this from happening?  It is called related searches...

Hello katouriann

Appears to be a browser hijack. Lets get a few logs and see what we get.

Please Download TDSSkiller
Launch it.
Click on change parameters-Select TDLFS file system
Click on "Scan".
Please post the LOG report(log file should be in your C drive)
 
Do not change the default options on scan results.

MiniToolBox
Please download MiniToolBox, save it to your desktop and run it.

Checkmark the following checkboxes:

• Flush DNS
• Report IE Proxy Settings
• Reset IE Proxy Settings
• Report FF Proxy Settings
• Reset FF Proxy Settings
• List content of Hosts
• List IP configuration
• List Winsock Entries
• List last 10 Event Viewer log
• List Installed Programs
• List Users, Partitions and Memory size.

Note: When using "Reset FF Proxy Settings" option Firefox should be closed.

>>>>>

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your desktop.
•Close all open programs and internet browsers.
•Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
•Click on Delete.
•Confirm each time with Ok.
•You will be prompted to restart your computer. A text file will open after the restart.
•Please post the contents of that logfile with your next reply.
•You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[S1].txt as well.

>>>>

Now I'd like us to scan your machine with ESET OnlineScan

• Hold down Control and click on this link to open ESET OnlineScan in a new window.
• Click the   button.
• For alternate browsers only: (Microsoft Internet Explorer users can skip these steps)
  • Click on [url="http://download.eset.com/special/eos/esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe"]esetsmartinstaller_enu.exe[/url] to download the ESET Smart Installer. Save it to your desktop.
  • Double click on the
     icon on your desktop.
• Check "YES, I accept the Terms of Use."
• Click the Start button.
• Accept any security warnings from your browser.
• Under scan settings, check "Scan Archives" and "Remove found threats"
• Click Advanced settings and select the following:
  • Scan potentially unwanted applications
  • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
  • Enable Anti-Stealth technology
• ESET will then download updates for itself, install itself, and begin scanning your computer. Please be patient as this can take some time.
• When the scan completes, click List Threats
• Click Export, and save the file to your desktop using a unique name, such as ESETScan. Include the contents of this report in your next reply.
• Click the Back button.
• Click the Finish button.

NOTE:Sometimes if ESET finds no infections it will not create a log.

Oh my gosh,thanks so much for this answer.  All I ran was the ADW Cleaner. It is a great little tool.  In a matter of seconds, it found so many things that had to be removed.  After the computer re-booted, it was back to normal.  I have no idea how this happens.  I haven't downloaded anything in quite a while, so don't know where it came from... Thanks again..

This is what unfortunate about the internet, you can click on a link a download something without even knowing about it! So glad you solved your problem! Do you have a virus scanner on your computer? If not, I would suggest getting one, it has saved my computer many times!

Of course I have a virus scanner, but this wasn't a virus. I  really don't understand how a browser can be hijacked, but it is fixed now..

If everything seems to be working perfectly, I wonder if it is necessary to do all that was suggested here?  I am just thankful that it is all running smoothly again.. Thanks

katouriann, to be on the safe side you should probably run all the scans and posts the logs that boopme asked for in # 2.

Well if you feel it good to go then....
Now you should Create a New Restore Point (alternate method) to prevent possible reinfection from an old one. Some of the malware you picked up could have been backed up, renamed and saved in System Restore. Since this is a protected directory your tools cannot access to delete these files, they sometimes can reinfect your system if you accidentally use an old restore point. Setting a new restore point AFTER cleaning your system will help prevent this and enable your computer to "roll-back" to a clean working state.
The easiest and safest way to do this is:

• Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and click "System Restore".
• Choose the radio button marked "Create a Restore Point" on the first screen then click "Next". Give the R.P. a name, then click "Create". The new point will be stamped with the current date and time. Keep a log of this so you can find it easily should you need to use System Restore.

Then use Disk Cleanup to remove all but the newly created Restore Point.


EDIT:
Understanding Spyware, Browser Hijackers, and Dialers