This a new thing? Did you configure any settings recently? Try doing the following items and see if they work your problem out:

Go to tools and select IE Options. Next clear your Cookies and Files on the general tab. Now click the security tab and select default level, some security settings can tweak your system and cause a lag. Next go to Privacy and sleect Medium High. Next tab content select auto complete and clear all items there. Storing your information in IE may seem conveniant, but is actually the worst or best thing for providing a potential hacker all you details! Now go to google or whatever you use and try a search! Did it help? If not you may have tarcking software installed on your system, something keeping track and maybe even telling a third party company what you are searching for (ahhhhh MARKETING!!!!).

In that case download AdAware from CNET or from the company itself (LAVASOFT!). It a free program that rids your system of Adware and Spyware installs from third parties, these nice tag along programs when you install Kazaa and such! Run the program and deleted anything it finds! Reboot and try again.

Lastly if you have a version other than IE 6.0 or 6.0 + SP1 you can always reinstall the browser. First do a complete uninstall of the current one first! If you have 6.0 or later you can still uninstall the browser, but it is a bit complicated. Search Microsoft for directions on how to do that! Hope it all helps!