Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
Everytime I start windows XP there is an internet search bar within the Windows XP Taskbar. I right click on the taskbar, select toolbars and switch it off but it just comes back everytime I start up. I am sure it is not the standard address bar included in XP because that is also in there and its switched off the one that is displayed looks different and is called search assistant. I think that it is probably some sort of spyware because I also get numerous pop-ups however none of the spyware packages I run actually eliminate it. Any help would be greatly appreciated because as small as this may seem it is driving me mad having to turn it off everytime I startup. Thanks.
Stuart Kirby
Due to their multi-facetted approach to infecting your computer; it often takes more than one tool to remove them.
1. Turn off System restore (many virus/spyware hide in the System restore files)
2. Downloadand run (after updating)
Spybot S&D--v1.3
Ad-Aware
CWShredder
On-line virus scan from
housecall.antivirus.com or panda anti-virus (think of it as a second Dr.'s opinion)
3. Now run your installed anti-virus (updated)
4.Restart the System restore after you are reasonably sure that the virus/spyware is gone
5. Make sure thatyou have all critical Windows Updates and that you have a firewall (hardware or software)GIGO
0 
Stuart:Here are some links to save you time.
Ad-Aware
Spybot
SpywareBlaster
StingerSolarian
PS Save SpywareBlaster for last. It prevents, not cures, malware problems.
0
Thanks for the help guys its much appreciated however it has been to no avail as the search assistant is still there.
I have now tried the following;
Adaware
Spybot
Webroot Spy Sweeper
CWShredder
Stingeralong with housecall online virus scan and a scan with my installed Norton Software. Is there anyting else I can try?
Stuart Kirby
0
Since,
I'm not a XP user, I was just wondering if this is what you guys were talking about?
http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:dJ2_5PMFCaQJ:www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/tune-20.html+Search+Assistant+in+XP+Taskbar&hl=en
JPQ
0
No, what I have looks similar to the standard XP address bar, used for internet searches when connected, only more "dodgy" looking and I cant turn this one off because it comes back everytime I start up.
Stuart Kirby
0
In my case HijackThis.exe helped me in identifing a perpetrator.
It was c:\windows\windows32\wsupdater.exe.
This program is a part of OmniScient package (c:\Program Files\Windows SA\).
After removing all this garbage (by a correct way) and cleaning registry - it's all right!
I hope this tip will help you.
0
Stuart
I have succeeded in getting rid of the search toolbar in my Taskbar.
To get rid of it:
Back up your Registry first !!!
Use HJT to delete these entries if you have them:
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\Windows\System32\wsaupdater.exe,
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - - (no file)
O2 - BHO: MyWebSearch Search Assistant BHO - {00A6FAF1-072E-44cf-8957-5838F569A31D} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MYWEBSEARCH\SRCHASTT\1.BIN\MWSSRCAS.DLL
O2 - BHO: mwsBar BHO - {07B18EA1-A523-4961-B6BB-170DE4475CCA} - C:\PROGRAM FILES\MYWEBSEARCH\BAR\1.BIN\MWSBAR.DLL
C:\Program Files\WindowsSA\omniscient.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows SA] C:\Program Files\WindowsSA\omniscient.exeThen go into Add/Remove Programs and delete a program called Windows SA (if you have it), then go into Windows Explorer, Program Files and find the Windows SA folder and delete it and empty the Recycle Bin. Immediately upon doing this, you will probably get a web page opening up by itself - it will be BlazeFind.com, just close it.
Do a search for any file/folder with 'blaze' as the file name or part of. If any found, delete that entry. Then do a search for any trace of 'Windows SA' and if you find any, delete them.
Find and delete a file called UnstSA2.exe and another file called key2.txt and (if you have it) a file called 2_0_1browserhelper2.dll. I only had the first 2 files. Empty the Recycle Bin.
Next run Adaware (Active in-depth scan) and delete anything to do with BlazeFind or VX2. (Ensure that you have the latest Adaware updates first.) Then reboot and you should have got rid of the search toolbar in Taskbar. Check by right-clicking on the Taskbar, go to Toolbars and the Search Assistant should be gone !!!
Regards
Jeff
I.T. student soon to open my own business diagnosing, troubleshooting, optimising and networking home computers to residents of Brisbane, Australia.
0  |
 |
 |
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
