remove cool search spyware?

Answer 1

CoolBar, also known as LookThru Cool Search Bar, is an Internet Explorer Toolbar implemented as BHO(Browser Helper Object). The program will change your Internet settings and generate popup ad windows while you are using Internet Explorer.

How to Remove CoolBar?

Follow instructions below to manually remove CoolBar from your computer.

Close all the open Internet Explore windows.
Unregister the Bho dll, to do this, open a Dos command prompt window (from Start > Programs>Accessory) , enter the following commands:

cd %windows%system32
regesvr32 /u coolbar.dll
del coolbar.dll

Note: %windows% is a variable, you should replace it with the windows directory in your system( by default it is c:\windows or c:\winnt)

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

To remove CWS and its variants you can download the CoolWebShredder program here:

http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html.

If you find his program useful please donate so that Merign can continue his work. There are a few known problems with removing this, so read the following carefully if you're still having troubles:

1. If you are unable to visit Merijn's site the direct download link for the program is

http://216.180.233.153/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

This link is currently not working as the site changes hosts. I will update this with a current link when it becomes available. This problem is caused by a CWS variant known as either CWS.Aff.Tooncomics or CWS.Dreplace.

2. If your anti-spyware removal program is closing before starting you will have to download and run PepiMK's CoolWWWSearch.SmartKiller removal tool first before running the CoolWebShredder program to remove CWS variants.

3. If you get an error in Windows stating that the "MSVBVM60.DLL missing" you'll need to get the updated runtime libraries for Microsoft Visual Basic 6 first.


After removing the program you may also have to restore your Internet Explorer settings to return your PC to its operating state before the CWS variant hijacked your browser. In order to do this, please follow the steps below:

* Open up Internet Explorer.
* Select "Tools> Internet Options" from the Internet Explorer menu.
* Navigate and choose the "Programs" tab.
* Select the "Reset Web Settings" button. After choosing this button the "The Reset Web Settings" dialog box will appear.
* Scroll down and make sure that "Also reset my home page" box is checked.
* Select "Yes" and click "Ok".

The above procedure will reset all of the default settings in Internet Explorer including the default home page. This will reset Internet Explorer's default home page and search page. Please note that this will not necessarily reset your homepage to a customized site. If you had previously chosen another site you will have to reset these settings.

This article was written with substantial help from Merijn Bellekom's site a student in the Netherlands who has dedicated his time to tracking this trojan.

Answer 4

Some weeks ago I had a problem with my computer, it was slowing down and i couldn't explain why some websites where redirecting! Since I had a good (norton) antivirus system I did not think that I had spyware! , however a friend of mine came to my house and immediately told me that I had a spyware program, he entered into a site downloaded one of the free programs featured there and installed it on my computer, after running this program my computer is fast and downloading normally, whilst my homepage was also restored.

the webpage where you can find free reliable anti spyware is:

http://charticles.atspace.com/spyware.htm

Answer 5

Spybot Search and Destroy
Trend Micro's Venus Spy Trap

Answer 6

Use Spybot SD

Located here

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1

Answer 7

the yahoo tool bar has a spy&add ware remover check that out

Answer 8

Haven't thought about that

Answer 9

Why would you want them in the first place. They slow your computer down.

Answer 10

Was here on YA for something unrelated, then this question was displayed on the sidebar...