What could my problem be?

[hi]

While I do maintain that I am somewhat tech-savvy, this problem has stumped me a bit. My desktop's symptoms:

1.Can't update Microsoft Security Essentials. It's saying there's a loss of internet connection. When I diagnose connection problems, however, I'm getting an opposite message, saying everything is a-okay.

2. I can only access sites like Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, etc. Everything else shows as a loss of connection.

3. Computer is somewhat sluggish, but it's quite old (6-years-old).

4. Upon downloading Google chrome, I get an error every time I try to open it.


5. I get re-directed in a new tab on Firefox when I Google search something. And the page is relevant to what I searched, but not exactly the link I clicked on...

I'll be buying a new modem soon, but what can I do for the time being?
Oops, forgot to mention I have MBAM and nothing comes up detected.
I cleared my cache and cookies already. I defragged about a week ago. I can't update MSE because of the loss of internet connection. But I'll try it in SM I guess.

[hgcstnd805]

Sound like a virus or something of that sort. download and install malwarebytes antimalware and do a whole scan thats happened to me also and this has helped http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-An...?tag=mncol

[jamie]

Perhaps the browser redirects and sluggishness are caused by a computer virus or other malicious file or program, so I would suggest that you run an antivirus scan with Microsoft Security Essentials, as well as an antispyware scan.

If you need a free antispyware program, perhaps you should try using MalwareBytes, which can be downloaded from the link below.

http://MalwareBytes.org

Also, perhaps you should try using Mozilla FireFox, which is a free browser that is safer than Internet Explorer and can be downloaded from the link below.

http://Mozilla.com

If you are unable to download or install any programs, perhaps you should try booting your computer into Safe Mode with Networking by pressing F8 while your computer is booting up and then try to download and install the programs again.

If you're still unable to access certain websites, perhaps you should try clearing your browser's cookies and cache and then try to access the websites again.

If that still doesn't work, perhaps you should try resetting your router or modem by unplugging it for about fifteen seconds or so and then plugging it back in.

As for the sluggishness on your computer, in addition to running an antivirus scan, as well as an antispyware scan, perhaps you should consider deleting any files or programs that you no longer use or need, in order to free up some space on your hard drive.

Also, perhaps you should try running the Disk Defragmenter, which may help to speed up your computer by making files that you have on your computer contiguous with one another.

If you'd like to run the Disk Defragmenter, you can do so by going to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.

Good luck and I hope I helped you!

[Don M]

You need up to date ant-virus software and run it
You need Mawarebytes and run it (GOOGLE) FREE
You need Spybot's Search and Destroy run it (GOOGLE) Free