How did that link wind up in my question?

There is no link associated with headlight (or anywhere in your question).

Whoops. I should have put this in meta.

Hang on Tom. Maybe I’m just going nuts.

This is crazy. It’s gone now, but I SWEAR it was there. I clicked on it and it took me to Ebay. I still have that page open although that doesn’t prove anything. I hope it happens to someone else before I get committed.

Maybe you (or someone who has access to the computer) installed a plugin or extension that creates search links to ebay. If you’re using Chrome, go to TOOLS -> EXTENSIONS. If using Firefox, go to TOOLS -> ADD-ONS. If using IE, don’t. Download this instead.

It’s back. I got a screen print of it.

I’ll go check that, but it’s never happened before. Glad I got that screen print!

I don’t see anything, Tom. I’m using FF. It has what looks like add ons I could choose from, but as far as I can tell nothing has been downloaded.

Aahh. Looks like you have some crazy toolbar (which is a bad thing – likely indistinguishable from malware/spyware, if not straight up malware/spyware). Note that row below your bookmark bar. It appears to have a green “ask a question” button, etc. Someone more familiar with this type of thing might be able to guide you in safely removing this. You could try clicking the wrench (or wrenches) on that bar and see if you can disable the bar for starters.

Does this mean anything? It’s hard to read but the ones that are checked are Search Buttons, a wrench icon, Akaqa (?), tools, and a Global Shopping app.

That’s likely it. It looks like you hide or delete these components of the toolbar. But you’ll most likely want to also remove/uninstall the toolbar. Is this a family pc? Could someone have intentionally installed this? If not (and you don’t want it), I’d try to at least hide the whole toolbar VIEW -> TOOLBARS (you should only see “menu bar”, “navigation toolbar”, and “bookmarks toolbar” checked).
Good luck!

Thanks @tom_g. What happens if I uninstall or uncheck the Global Shopping app?

Shit! It just did it on this question too! IN the question itself, but now it’s gone…

Sounds like you have malware.

What do I do??

I’m using Mac, but if you are using Windows and can “restore” to an early date/time when you didn’t have the problem toolbar – - do it. And figure how you got the toolbar downloaded.
If it is a common use PC, ask the others that use it ask if the have added anything to help them to “ON-LINE SHOP”.

I told it to restore. It defaulted to April 6th. Don’t know what it did, though.

Someone after April 6th, loaded a bogus “shopper toolbar”. It may have been clicking on pop-up.

Sounds like malware to me, too. If you still have the problem, run your anti-virus in safe mode or use malwarebytes to clean your machine.

Thanks.

You might find this helpful. Try reading all of it before doing anything, and see if you recognize your situation. One thing to remember is that any time you install software, you should go slowly and read the options carefully (even if you are doing an express install), because almost all software now tries to automatically install toolbars like this without your knowledge. When they do this, there is always an option to either check or uncheck (like “Yes, I want to install the Link All My Words To eBay Toolbar”, or what have you).

Based on that link, I’m guessing that it’s something installed on your computer, but not technically malware. If you are worried about a malware problem, I would recommend downloading Malwarebytes to scan your computer. The great irony is that, since the download is being hosted by CNet, it will very probably also try to install a toolbar that you don’t want. You have to be really careful about this stuff these days.

I swear I didn’t do it!

@WillWorkForChocolate I’m not sure I buy that… you look a bit shifty in that photograph.

It’s the scarf, isn’t it?

I think it’s the smile.

Are you insinuating that there’s something wrong with my smile?

It’s just… I don’t know if anyone has ever mentioned it… but they kind of don’t match your fur.

OMG, how dare you? I’m going to be self-conscious and horribly depressed now! <runs off crying>

@WillWorkForChocolate Well, now I feel like a heel. :(

It’s not the scarf, @WillWorkForChocolate. I mean, just look at your face! You’re saying “ZOMG! What did I just do to Val’s computer??!!”