So somehow I accidentally installed something called a Zugo toolbar. I read some info about it online and came across a lot of people saying that it has malware or spyware. I didn't find this to be the case at all.
Annoying to uninstall, but no malware/spyware. If you're in my same boat, i found uninstall instructions here Zugo - Search Toolbar Uninstall
Just want to keep[ people from the same trouble I had
thanks