Internet explorer Take over bid question

[Digeroo]

Every now and then I seem to click on something which takes over my computer.  I get a new page as my internet home page, I get a different page when I open a new window etc etc.  In the end it is reversible but rather frustrating working out what to uninstalled from the programs I am always worried I will delete the wrong thing and then how to reset things as they were,  I need a quick button that goes get rid of it quick.  I wanted to download something and it wanted an updated version of Adobe Acrobat and instead of just updating all sorts of things were installed.  Real pain.

Is there any way of stopping this happening, it sends me nuts.

I am not the only one my BIL was complaining about suddenly loosing Google and did not know how to get google maps back.  Someone else I know was complaining about being Binged.  I have been Binged so I have already got rid of that several times.

I also seem to have Stormwatch and it keeps offering me prizes for assessing webpages. 

[Digeroo]

[kGarden]

Maybe Malwarebytes would help?

[daveyboi]

Updating Adobe was probably the culprit as you get an option to install another search engine (I think it is Ask) and reset your home page. This option is enabled by default and you have to untick the box.
You also need to watch out for the same sort of thing with Flash Player and several other software up dates.

[Digeroo]

It is very annoying when this sort of thing is attached to an otherwise bona fide piece of software. 

[ancellsfarmer]

I had recommended to me something called" YAC" yetanothercleaner to download for free. Sofar it has been brilliant in eliminating this problem , although it interrupts often and delays what one is trying to achieve. It seems to react more quickly than the avira free antivirus, which remains operative.
There ought to be a way for the World to clear out many of the shysters who spoil our use of the internet. United Nations, go for it!

[French-Dream]

Updating Adobe was probably the culprit as you get an option to install another search engine (I think it is Ask) and reset your home page. This option is enabled by default and you have to untick the box.
You also need to watch out for the same sort of thing with Flash Player and several other software up dates.

You have to read all of the "boxs" that pop up while your loading a program, it'll want to load other "bits" that you don't need.  Don't let it do anything that you don't want, you keep control of your PC.