problems with IE

[toxik]

if i open IE to browse the internet it freezes my computer and takes up 100% of the CPU.
the only way i can browse the net is by opening my computer and typing the web addrees in there.
i have run anti-virus and defragged my computer.
My OS is XP-Pro.
i never had this problem before.

[Miz]

That's almost always caused by spyware.

Download, install, immediately update and then run Spybot (http://download.com.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=SPYBOT&tg=dl-2001&search=+Go%21+) and/or AdAware (http://download.com.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=adaware&tg=dl-2001&search=+Go%21+). Read the help files to familiarize yourself with how they work. I recommend you use them both since each tends to find things the other misses. Let them clean up any spyware found.

Then, to be doubly sure, download and run CWShredder (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html) and run it (link to the download is near the bottom of the page).

[Uncle Mikis]

Totally run spybot and adaware like Miz suggested. Also check out : http://www.doxdesk.com/ he has code in his page that identifies some parasites that the others do not.

Sounds like a serious browser hijacking of some sort, somethings going on in the background, look at system processes and cpu usage in your task manager when you try to browse.

[oddjob]

Browser Hijack Blaster (http://www.wilderssecurity.com/bhblaster.html). Another good thing to have.