Spyware?

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Sephiroth2000

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Hey guys, i've got this problem with my computer. This search bar has just been somehow downloaded onto my computer(i think it's through another download)and i can't get rid of it. Any ideas?
Sephiroth2000
 
yup adware usually does, the trick, i just don't understand how so many get on the computer i'm usually very careful when installing stuff, spyware should be made illegal and stupid virus scanner don't even remove them, spyware should be something that virus scanners should also remove, as they remove trojans so why not spyware! :-?
 
Well since spyware doesn't really harm your computer (even though it can be really annoying, violate privacy, send information behind your back, and show you pop-up ads), virus scanners don't detect it currently.  You should be careful what you install -- P2P apps (including the extremely popular "Kazaa"), "performance boost" apps, and other things people would think are nifty like toolbars, smilys for Outlook and so on often come with spyware.  It's become a pretty big problem in the last year or so and it's gonna get worse before it gets better.

As far as getting rid of the stuff, I kinda prefer Spybot: Search & Destroy to Ad-aware.  You might also want to try that...

Anyway, for a search bar that's actually useful, you might like the Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer.  Not only does it give you convenient access to a Google search, but it blocks pop-ups (and is free)!  Has some other options too.  (Screen shot)
 
I recommend using both Ad-Aware AND Spybot.  Run them every week or so, alternating which one you use first.  You could also try Pest Patrol in unison with Spybot and Ad-Aware . . . I haven't tried it yet myself, but I've heard good things about it.


---edit---

Upon further inspection, it looks like you have to pay for updates for Pest Patrol after a year.
 
I personally think spybot is great.. It's the only one i use.. also i know this isnt a virus thread, but you may want to get your computer scanned FREE.. here... a lot of things have gotten past my virus scanner, and i use symantecs corporate 8.1 i think.. might be of use to check it out..
 
I also use Symantec Corp. 8.1, and I've found it to be quite good at catching everything.  I used to be using version 7.6, and it wasn't as good...
 
It could be the lop.com search bar. If you have that it's a pain in the ass to get rid of. Apparently this tool will get rid of it for you:

http://lop.com/toolbar_uninstall.exe

It didnt work on my brothers computer though. I had to manually get rid of it by manually un-registering certain .dll files. There are walkthroughs on the web....
 
ah lop.com
that is the culprit for planting so much Sh*t onto computers without authority,
 
anyone have the thing where your homepage will switch without you knowing to something else?
 
Thats really common, and happens a lot to me at my job.. (working at a library where people surf the internet all day and i am the computer help guy) Usually its extra bad with porn pages.. but that can happen, and it sucks cuz i dont have admin privelages to fix it.. but it is easy to fix.. i am sure you know how already.. LoL
 
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