Please help with unusual new Toolbar popping up and Views

I hope someone in this group can help me out with this perplexing
problem, I'm stuck, I think I've tried everything, and this group is
surely the place for advice:

I've been happily and without problems using Windows 98SE for several
years and now for some reason in **just the past few days** whenever
I open one of the Windows programs such as Windows Explorer (the file
manager) or the recycle bin or even the browser Explorer (I
tried to see if it was affected too), I have this extra toolbar at the
top called a Search Toolbar with all these categories for searching
such as Pahrmacy, Finance, Casino, etc. I can turn it off with View -
Toolbars - and unclicking Search Toolbar. But then it comes back when
I open the file manager again. Furthermore, my files are displayed in
Large Icons instead of my normal (and have never changed ever) view of
Details. When I change that and close the program and then re-open
it, the Large Icons view comes back. Along with the Search Toolbar.

I mickey-moused around all over the place last night trying to set
the default back to the way I've had it all these years with no luck.
Could someone please tell me where the secret place to get rid of
these unwanted views are?

In a related strange occurrance, I've noticed when I open the browser
Explorer, the homepage is no longer set to Blank, but instead it goes
to http://www.makemesearch.com/?said=126 with a variety of search
folders. When I change that back to Blank and re-open Explorer, the
same thing occurs: back to that search page. My Netscape
(fortunately) isn't affected by this.

I didn't change any setting at all anywhere before all this started
happening. I haven't made any changes to my system in years, it works
just fine the way it is, I only use my machine to read newsgroups and
email (with Agent), and to use WordPerfect and Netscape. What could
have happened? Any ideas anyone? While this is not serious, it's a
bother to change my View of my file manager every time I go to use it,
and I really don't like all these changes to my system **without my
permission.**

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Paul



Paul Lefebvre

Visit my website!
http://www.geocities.com/joeyp99

http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/tshoot.htm

--
Hyperlinks are used to ensure advice remains current
_______________________________________
Sandi - Microsoft MVP since 1999 (IE/OE)
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/


--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!


"Paul Lefebvre" wrote in message
...
I hope someone in this group can help me out with this perplexing
problem, I'm stuck, I think I've tried everything, and this group is
surely the place for advice:

I've been happily and without problems using Windows 98SE for several
years and now for some reason in **just the past few days** whenever
I open one of the Windows programs such as Windows Explorer (the file
manager) or the recycle bin or even the browser Explorer (I
tried to see if it was affected too), I have this extra toolbar at the
top called a Search Toolbar with all these categories for searching
such as Pahrmacy, Finance, Casino, etc. I can turn it off with View -
Toolbars - and unclicking Search Toolbar. But then it comes back when
I open the file manager again. Furthermore, my files are displayed in
Large Icons instead of my normal (and have never changed ever) view of
Details. When I change that and close the program and then re-open
it, the Large Icons view comes back. Along with the Search Toolbar.

I mickey-moused around all over the place last night trying to set
the default back to the way I've had it all these years with no luck.
Could someone please tell me where the secret place to get rid of
these unwanted views are?

In a related strange occurrance, I've noticed when I open the browser
Explorer, the homepage is no longer set to Blank, but instead it goes
to http://www.makemesearch.com/?said=126 with a variety of search
folders. When I change that back to Blank and re-open Explorer, the
same thing occurs: back to that search page. My Netscape
(fortunately) isn't affected by this.

I didn't change any setting at all anywhere before all this started
happening. I haven't made any changes to my system in years, it works
just fine the way it is, I only use my machine to read newsgroups and
email (with Agent), and to use WordPerfect and Netscape. What could
have happened? Any ideas anyone? While this is not serious, it's a
bother to change my View of my file manager every time I go to use it,
and I really don't like all these changes to my system **without my
permission.**

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Paul



Paul Lefebvre

Visit my website!
http://www.geocities.com/joeyp99

Check your system for "hijackware":

Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Run these tools in the following order with nothing else running in
background:

1. CWShredder (fix all found)

2. Ad-Aware (fix all found)

3. Spybot (RTFM but generally fix everything in red)

Important: You *must* seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each
and every use, even "right out of the box". But even they can't catch
everything, 24/7. When all else fails, HijackThis
(http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe) is the preferred
tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ or
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**

[Alternate download pages for many of the above tools may be found at
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]

Also:

1. Download and run Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/); then...

2. Update your virus definitions, enable Show Hidden Files
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...02092715262339)
and then run a full system scan in Safe Mode
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...01052409420406)
with nothing else running in background. Note the files identified and
removed then find the corresponding page for the file at your AV maker's
online support pages (e.g.,
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...favorites.html)
and follow all Removal steps.

WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
Restore Point then Disk Cleanup More options Delete all but the most
recent Restore Point.

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957

--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

Are You Ready for WinXP SP2?
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx

WinXP SP2 Release Notes
http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;835935

AumHa Forums
http://forum.aumha.org

Paul Lefebvre wrote:
I hope someone in this group can help me out with this perplexing
problem, I'm stuck, I think I've tried everything, and this group is
surely the place for advice:

I've been happily and without problems using Windows 98SE for several
years and now for some reason in **just the past few days** whenever
I open one of the Windows programs such as Windows Explorer (the file
manager) or the recycle bin or even the browser Explorer (I
tried to see if it was affected too), I have this extra toolbar at the
top called a Search Toolbar with all these categories for searching
such as Pahrmacy, Finance, Casino, etc. I can turn it off with View -
Toolbars - and unclicking Search Toolbar. But then it comes back when
I open the file manager again. Furthermore, my files are displayed in
Large Icons instead of my normal (and have never changed ever) view of
Details. When I change that and close the program and then re-open
it, the Large Icons view comes back. Along with the Search Toolbar.

I mickey-moused around all over the place last night trying to set
the default back to the way I've had it all these years with no luck.
Could someone please tell me where the secret place to get rid of
these unwanted views are?

In a related strange occurrance, I've noticed when I open the browser
Explorer, the homepage is no longer set to Blank, but instead it goes
to http://www.makemesearch.com/?said=126 with a variety of search
folders. When I change that back to Blank and re-open Explorer, the
same thing occurs: back to that search page. My Netscape
(fortunately) isn't affected by this.

I didn't change any setting at all anywhere before all this started
happening. I haven't made any changes to my system in years, it works
just fine the way it is, I only use my machine to read newsgroups and
email (with Agent), and to use WordPerfect and Netscape. What could
have happened? Any ideas anyone? While this is not serious, it's a
bother to change my View of my file manager every time I go to use it,
and I really don't like all these changes to my system **without my
permission.**

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Paul



Paul Lefebvre

Visit my website!
http://www.geocities.com/joeyp99

THANK YOU VERY MUCH EVERYONE who's offered advice and links and help.
I knew I came to the right place. Will follow all the advice, thanks
again!!

Paul


"PA Bear" wrote:

Check your system for "hijackware":

Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/Darnit.htm

CoolWebSearch Chronicles
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Run these tools in the following order with nothing else running in
background:

1. CWShredder (fix all found)

2. Ad-Aware (fix all found)

3. Spybot (RTFM but generally fix everything in red)

Important: You *must* seek updates for Ad-Aware, Spybot, etc., before each
and every use, even "right out of the box". But even they can't catch
everything, 24/7. When all else fails, HijackThis
(http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe) is the preferred
tool to use. It will help you to both identify and remove any
hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to http://forums.spywareinfo.com/ or
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30 for expert analysis, not here.**

[Alternate download pages for many of the above tools may be found at
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm.]

Also:

1. Download and run Stinger (http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/); then...

2. Update your virus definitions, enable Show Hidden Files
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...02092715262339)
and then run a full system scan in Safe Mode
(http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...01052409420406)
with nothing else running in background. Note the files identified and
removed then find the corresponding page for the file at your AV maker's
online support pages (e.g.,
http://securityresponse.symantec.com...favorites.html)
and follow all Removal steps.

WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
Restore Point then Disk Cleanup More options Delete all but the most
recent Restore Point.

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
http://boards.cexx.org/viewtopic.php?t=957

Paul Lefebvre

Visit my website!
http://www.geocities.com/joeyp99

"PA Bear"
snip
WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new Restore Point
then Disk Cleanup More options Delete all but the most recent Restore Point.

I've wondered before if there was a way to do that without disabling Restore which
we know removes all RP's. Good thing to know, Thanks.


--
Brian A.

Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

Brian A. wrote:
"PA Bear"
snip
WinXP Only (WinME similar): If this scan finds anything, create a new
Restore Point then Disk Cleanup More options Delete all but the most
recent Restore Point.

I've wondered before if there was a way to do that without disabling
Restore which we know removes all RP's. Good thing to know, Thanks.

YW. Doing it this way, you're never without *a* Restore Point.
--
~Robear

Paul Lefebvre wrote in message . ..
I hope someone in this group can help me out with this perplexing
problem, I'm stuck, I think I've tried everything, and this group is
surely the place for advice:

I've been happily and without problems using Windows 98SE for several
years and now for some reason in **just the past few days** whenever
I open one of the Windows programs such as Windows Explorer (the file
manager) or the recycle bin or even the browser Explorer (I
tried to see if it was affected too), I have this extra toolbar at the
top called a Search Toolbar with all these categories for searching
such as Pahrmacy, Finance, Casino, etc. I can turn it off with View -
Toolbars - and unclicking Search Toolbar. But then it comes back when
I open the file manager again. Furthermore, my files are displayed in
Large Icons instead of my normal (and have never changed ever) view of
Details. When I change that and close the program and then re-open
it, the Large Icons view comes back. Along with the Search Toolbar.

I mickey-moused around all over the place last night trying to set
the default back to the way I've had it all these years with no luck.
Could someone please tell me where the secret place to get rid of
these unwanted views are?

In a related strange occurrance, I've noticed when I open the browser
Explorer, the homepage is no longer set to Blank, but instead it goes
to http://www.makemesearch.com/?said=126 with a variety of search
folders. When I change that back to Blank and re-open Explorer, the
same thing occurs: back to that search page. My Netscape
(fortunately) isn't affected by this.

I didn't change any setting at all anywhere before all this started
happening. I haven't made any changes to my system in years, it works
just fine the way it is, I only use my machine to read newsgroups and
email (with Agent), and to use WordPerfect and Netscape. What could
have happened? Any ideas anyone? While this is not serious, it's a
bother to change my View of my file manager every time I go to use it,
and I really don't like all these changes to my system **without my
permission.**

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help.

Paul



Paul Lefebvre

Visit my website!
http://www.geocities.com/joeyp99

Hi Paul Try this Cheers Rob
To address your concerns regarding 'makemesearch', kindly follow this
steps below to assist you further removing it.

1. Go to control panel
2 . Go to add/remove
3. remove the search Selection prog

Also, try to go to Add/Remove programs and proceed to uninstall
XOFTSPY if you do not need it.

Now, kindly follow the steps below to clear out the settings on your
IE.

RESETTING THE SETTINGS ON THE INTERNET EXPLORER

To access the Internet Options window, please follow the steps below:

START SETTINGS CONTROL PANEL (For Windows 98 / ME / 2000)

START CONTROL PANEL. (For Windows XP)

Once on the Control Panel, double-click INTERNET OPTIONS icon on the
bottom of that window. (For Windows XP, click on "Network and Internet
Connections" and then click on "Internet Options").

OR

Open the Internet Explorer by clicking on:

START PROGRAMS INTERNET EXPLORER (For Windows 98 / ME / 2000)

START ALL PROGRAMS INTERNET EXPLORER (For Windows XP)

Once the Internet Explorer window is open click on TOOLS on the menu
bar and then click on INTERNET OPTIONS.

When you are already on the Internet Options window, go to the
PROGRAMS tab and click on the RESET WEB SETTINGS button and then hit
YES.

On that same window which is the Internet Options window, go to the
SECURITY Tab, click on CUSTOM LEVEL, click on the RESET Button, click
on YES and then OK.

On that same window which is the Internet Options window, go to the
ADVANCE tab. Click on RESTORE DEFAULTS button located that the lower
right part of that window, then click on APPLY.

Still on the Internet Options, go the GENERAL tab, click on the DELETE
FILES button, put a CHECKMARK on the box next to "Delete all offline
content" and then click on OK. Now, click on the DELETE COOKIES button
click on OK and then close the Internet Options window.

If the issue still persists, then I believe we need to use another
tool because this maybe caused by your browser that was being
hijacked. I recommend that you use CWSHREDDER to resolve this issue.

DISCLAIMER: CWShredder is not in any way associated with Trend Micro.
We would not be providing support for CWShredder. Trend Micro would
not be liable if your system would malfunction because of this
program.


You may download CWSHREDDER from the link below.

http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

Once you received a "file download" window, choose the option that
says "SAVE" and save the file to your "DESKTOP". After the download,
extract or unzip the contents of the CWShredder.zip on to your DESKTOP
using the WINZIP program, or if you are using WindowXP, you can use
the WindowXP extraction wizard.

===============


If you do not have a WinZip program, please go to
http://www.winzip.com/ and download the Evaluation version for winzip
on that website.
For instructions on how to use Winzip, please visit the link below.
http://kb.trendmicro.com/solutions/s...lutionID=12254

===============

When it is already extracted, close all your IE browsers then
double-click on the file named CWShredder to execute the program. Make
sure to check for updates first before hitting the FIX button. Close
all your IE browsers after the updates and click on the FIX button.
restart the machine after it has already removed some IE infected
registry files.

Moreover, we have already released the latest version of
Pc-cillin(Trend Microp Internet Sedurity) which can detect and remove
spyware programs.