AL_n wrote:
> Virus Guy<Virus@Guy.com> wrote in news:4ED2445B.E39B1797@Guy.com:
>
>> AL_n wrote:
>>
>>> Are there any trojan or other spyware devices that might be making
>>> my internet searches become slow?
>>
>> Check your hosts file.
>>
>> You might have host file entries for search portal domains (like
>> google.com) that point to a third party that hijacks the search and
>> tries to do something with it (like generate extra ad revenue).
>>
>
> Thanks. I looked at my Windows 7 host file. It has hundreds of one-line
> entries, all 'inserted by Spybot - Search& Destroy'. Does that sound OK?
> It means nothing to me, although I am familiar with SSD, which I run
> occasionally.
>
> Al

FYI - The 'hosts' may be reset to it's default state. Read here:-
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972034

Perhaps it's worth a try and see if your current 'problems' are alleviated.

Good luck! :-)