How do you get rid of the malware CoolWWSearch?

Question

I've tried various antispyware programs like Spybot, Superantispyware, Ad-Aware but when I run Spybot Search & Destroy, it still leaves this one entry: CoolWWWSearch.leftovers, How would you get rid of it?

Answer 1

All the coolsearch bugs are tricky to get rid of. CWshredder first, might be good if you follow that with a SuperAniSpy ware scan in safe mode. Turn off the system restore re boot as it starts to re boot press f8 to get into safe mode , scan get rid of any junk thats there.Reboot into normal mode, and turn the system restore on again. Do another scan see if there are any leftovers. I hope you get rid coolsearch is horrible stuff..

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

"CWShredder™ finds and destroys traces of CoolWebSearch. CoolWebSearch is a name given to a wide range of different browser hijackers. Though the code is very different between variants, they are all used to redirect users to coolwebsearch.com and other sites affiliated with its operators.":
"http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

Answer 4

The previous postings offer excellent removal advice.

But, there is only one 100% SURE way to rid your PC of all malware.

Do a "Clean Install / Factory Recovery" of Windows!!! Then, repeat as needed. You will be infected again.

"BEST ADVICE from Chris Pirillo, and I quote:

Wanna know how to keep your computer free from viruses, pop-ups, spyware, and other junk? Here’s how to do it without installing a single piece of software:

Tell all the males in your house to quit surfing for porn

Buy CDs and rip the tracks from there

Get a Netflix or Blockbuster account instead of using BitTorrent

Instead of looking for software cracks / serials, look for coupons

Stop operating in Administrator mode

Adhering to these five points (and forcing your family or roommates to do the same) should be enough to cut your risk by 90%, I’m guessing. You could do more to protect yourself, though, if you feel the need to download something:

Download drivers through official (or sanctioned) sources

Avoid unnecessary browser toolbars, plugins, or enhancements - and if you’re not sure if a toolbar is TRULY necessary, don’t install it

Read through every bit of a software installer process to ensure you’re not adding something that you don’t need and/or want - and if you’re not a geek, don’t install ANYTHING without first asking permission (from your Administrator)

Think twice before clicking on links sent to you by email or IM - especially if they prompt you to log in somewhere or download something else

Surf through OpenDNS servers for automatic Web site typo correction as well as an extra layer of phishing filters

That’s probably worth another 10% as far as protection from spyware / viruses are concerned. If you wanna be super-duper protected, surf the Web with Firefox or move to OS X (sorry, gang) and run Windows apps through Parallels.

Chris Pirillo"

TIP: To better protect your PC from malware in the future, install Linux instead.

Answer 5

REMOVE VIRUS/TROJAN/WORM\S

getting rid of these pests is a real P.I.A.!!! need LOTS of patience too!!

are you SURE you have any of the above or MIGHT it just be those nagger pop up ads?

those are Messenger Spam! you know,you have a quad-trillion trouble makers and they can be removed for just $$$$$

start--administrative tools--services
alerter service
right click--select properties--select disable from drop down menu

repeat this process for messenger service

remove virus/trojan/worm:

start--control panel--internet options--privacy--advanced--override
select:
allow 1st party cookies
BLOCK 3rd [ tracking ] party cookies

delete cookies/history/temp files from internet options general page

empty prefetch and temp file folders
start--control panel--[ XP ] local disk drive (c), [ Vista ] O.S. (c)--windows
temp folder-- [ XP ] file, [ Vista ] organize--select all
press delete key on keyboard

now go OFFLINE and power back up under SAFE MODE.
while booting up,press f-8 key till you get SAFE MODE utility selection

1st thing,turn OFF system restore where nasties lurk.
XP:
start
all programs--accessories--system tools--system restore
settings--drive (c)--setting--check the OfF box [ while there,set slider to 3% to recover 10% disk space ]

Vista:
start--control panel--performance,information & tools--open disk clean link--select O.S. (c)--select more options--select system restore and shadow copies--select clean up

do a disk clean:
XP:
start--all programs--accessories--system tools--disk clean--disk drive (c)--click delete--click delete again to finish

Vista:
start--control panel--performance,information & tools--select disk clean--select disk drive [ O.S. c ]--click ok--click delete--click ok

HOPEFULLY,you have an anti-virus--anti-rootkit blocker as well as at least 2 anti-spyware removers installed.
run those. if you haven't proper protect installed,before you go offline,download them from here
http://browseraddons.friendpages.com
i'd also HIGHLY reccomend downloading Firefox web browser and it's attending security extensions.

once you are cleaned up,return to system restore and create a new,clean restore point to work from in the future.

anti-virus shield:
Avast
anti spyware shield:
Spyware Blaster
AVG anti spyware
anti hijacker:
Arovax
file cleaner:
Cleaner
registry cleaner:
RegSeeker

see above link to download these

Answer 6

here are manual removal instructions for coolwebsearch