what programs did you use to remove your viruses? I suspect that some adware/spyware may remain. There isn't any other reason I can think of right now that would let you ping a website but not go there with two browsers.

Well, I got the newer spybot, and I ran the system shredder (only on one item, though; anything else seemed to freeze the computer). I can't seem to run a scan, though. It wants me to update something, but it has a connection error every time I've tried. So, the little I can do has been unable to resolve the problem. You two happen to have any more suggestions?
Thanks!

You have a thumb drive?  You should put this program on it: http://www.download.com/3001-8022_4-10227353.html?spi=13c74c48dce7915547fb4022fc85ec82

It is made by Trend Micro.  Install the program and accept the terms of usage.  You will be presented with a bunch of buttons.  Click on the top one that mentions making a logfile.  After hijackthis detects everything, save the logfile and send it to me.

Go ahead and contact me on messenger:

krondim_yz@hotmail.com

krondim_yz (yahoo)

senliso (googletalk)

Oh, oh wait, I just got it fixed: I noticed some kind of "connection diagnostic" on some odd segment of IE, and I ran it, and it worked... :/ It said there was some problem with something.
Well, thank you both for your help nonetheless. If I have a problem that isn't stupidly basic, I'll come back here :)

EDIT: But in my own defence, the diagnostic tool was oddly located!

glad to know you got it fixed. It must have been part of the "connections" part of IE since Firefox uses those settings also, I believe.

Yeah, I guess so. I wonder what caused it in the first place (what from my virus removal, that is).

It's possible the viruses modified your connection so you could not go to webpages.

Possible, but it seemed to happen after I removed them. Maybe I destroyed something essential.

Some programs do mess with your settings if you delete them.

Its just another way of fucking you over.

Good people, those virus creators.