Tech Support > Computers & Technology > CWS removal.
CWS removal.
Posted by Splidger on December 29th, 2004


I think my friend's computer is infected with CoolWebSearch, which
apparently, is hard to destroy.

We have tried Ad-Aware and also the CWShredder program. The former
constantly finds things which reappear once deleted; the latter finds
nothing.

I believe it is CWS because it meets the symptoms described here:
http://www.softwarepatch.com/tips/ab...nk-adware.html Various pop-ups
appear and the computer is slowed down.

"Here's the problem - Internet Explorer seems to have decided that the home
page about:blank is what will greet you every time you open a new browser
window. You try to change it back but either your Internet Options are
greyed out or you change the page back, only to find next time you start
Internet Explorer the dreaded about:blank has returned.

There are many possible causes for this behaviour and most are evil. One
possible cause is a virus, but this is not very common. The most likely
culprit is an adware/browser hijack program - in particular, CoolWebSearch.

The symptom that identifies the CoolWebSearch or a close variation is that
about:Blank appears as the address, but in the background a window pops up
stating that spyware, adware or something similar has been found on your
system. CoolWebSearch is a browser hijack program - it that takes over your
page, and keeps changing it back. It's purpose is to show you advertising,
or flog you an over-priced piece of software to fix the issue CoolWebSearch
has created. The about:Blank change is a trick designed to confuse users -
regrettably, it is very successful!"

Any ideas about how to eradicate this spyware? Thanks. Would other
anti-spyware programs be better than Ad-Aware?





Posted by Saba on December 29th, 2004



"Splidger" <splidger@splidger999.com> schreef in bericht
news:cqug3u$nd7$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
|I think my friend's computer is infected with CoolWebSearch, which
| apparently, is hard to destroy.
|
| We have tried Ad-Aware and also the CWShredder program. The former
| constantly finds things which reappear once deleted; the latter finds
| nothing.
|
| I believe it is CWS because it meets the symptoms described here:
| http://www.softwarepatch.com/tips/ab...nk-adware.html Various pop-ups
| appear and the computer is slowed down.
|
| "Here's the problem - Internet Explorer seems to have decided that the
home
| page about:blank is what will greet you every time you open a new browser
| window. You try to change it back but either your Internet Options are
| greyed out or you change the page back, only to find next time you start
| Internet Explorer the dreaded about:blank has returned.
|
| There are many possible causes for this behaviour and most are evil. One
| possible cause is a virus, but this is not very common. The most likely
| culprit is an adware/browser hijack program - in particular,
CoolWebSearch.
|
| The symptom that identifies the CoolWebSearch or a close variation is that
| about:Blank appears as the address, but in the background a window pops up
| stating that spyware, adware or something similar has been found on your
| system. CoolWebSearch is a browser hijack program - it that takes over
your
| page, and keeps changing it back. It's purpose is to show you advertising,
| or flog you an over-priced piece of software to fix the issue
CoolWebSearch
| has created. The about:Blank change is a trick designed to confuse users -
| regrettably, it is very successful!"
|
| Any ideas about how to eradicate this spyware? Thanks. Would other
| anti-spyware programs be better than Ad-Aware?
|
|
use google and find:
http://www.spyany.com/program/articl...WebSearch.html
|
|


Posted by Gort on December 29th, 2004


Splidger wrote:
You can turn it back on after you've finished.



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Posted by Splidger on December 29th, 2004



"Gort" <Gort@uranus.not> wrote in message
news:lfydnVh3N5L2Vk_cRVn-hw@comcast.com...



Posted by Gort on December 29th, 2004


Splidger wrote:

The virus/whatever may have been copied to System Restore file as being
part of the files.

Turning Restore off deletes those files, including the virus/whatever,
so when you've cleaned the problem out you'll want to turn it back on
and make a new Restore Point.






--
If you find a posting or message from myself offensive,
inappropriate, or disruptive, please ignore it. If you don't know
how to ignore a posting,complain to me and I will demonstrate.


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