Google Redirect Spam & Blue Screens from Winsock LSP wlidnsp.dll

I accidentally ran a downloaded program before scanning it and it seemed to infect my computer with a nasty virus of some sort. The main effects I saw were:

Clicking links in Google would redirect you to ad sites rather than the site you were intending to visit
Occasionally (especially in the Google Chrome browser) I would receive Windows 7 blue screens (BSOD) with IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

I ran HijackThis, a great utility for viewing the different programs that are automatically run on your computer. I believe these entries are at fault:

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll

(Yes, some people report that this is a valid Windows Live file, but I'm not convinced that it should be part of the Winsock LSP.)

Unfortunately HijackThis cannot remove Winsock LSPs, but LSPFix can. Download it and remove these entries to see if it fixes your problems.

If you'd like to add any further information to this page (based on your experience), email me: techhelp (at) simoneast (dot) net