CoolWebSearch won't go away

Somehow I got the CoolWebSearch Adware on my personal computer and I can't seem to get rid of it. Its annoying as can be and hyperlinks everything, popups every minute, and hijacks Google searches. I tried the following:

M$ Adware Remover - Found nothing - Everything is fine
Norton Internet Security 2005 - Finds one adware folder which I delete but it comes right back
Ad-Aware Personal - Finds all kinds of files which I delete but again they come right back

Anyone succesfully get rid of this?

Cheers

 

Bummer!

Merijn's Hijack this will destroy CoolWebSearch:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Correction, the CWShredder available on the same page is what you're looking for.

 

I had some problems with spyware as well. After spending a full weekend reading, removing, restarting etc. I got all working again. I found a real nice thread about removing spyware (hijacks) at majorgeeks.com . Take a look yourself I hope it helps:http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407

 

I recommend you instal hijackthis as wll. It prevents browser hijacking.

 

I just spent a couple hours removing this and other junk from my father's computer yesterday.

I think this will help you fix the problem:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/tutorial85.html

Good luck!

Geir

 

Thanks for all the info. Merijns Shredder didn't find it so it must be a brand new variation.

I decided to bite the bullet and do what I have been putting off....Reformat.

This computer has been running slow for months and has loads of stuff I don't need so this has just prompted me to start from a clean slate.

Cheers!

 

Reformat is the first thing on my mind when I see CWS Sometimes CWShredder helps but not always...

 

Yes, refornmat definitely works. Just have to remember where you get the adware from.

 

With the amount of SEO tools I download it could have came from anywhere. Especially if it laid dormant in order to hide which program it was associated with.

I have already wiped the slate clean so everything is fine now. Of course I have a few more hours of updating and installing.

The computer is lightning fast now

 

If you do still need a solid spyware program I've been using SpySweeper by Webroot. I've had it over a year now and it hasn't let me down yet. It does cost a little money, but well worth it in my opinion.

 

Hijack this should still be installed as it PREVENTS the browser from being hijacked in any way shape or form.

 

I'm on a clean install so I will definately be putting some of this other protection software on.

I appreciate the names of software, even if it seems obvious, as there is a lot of AdWare out there disguised as AdWare Remover.

I know for the most part I can trust the reccomendations here. (Don't be afraid to provide a url )

 

I personally use Spybot Search & Destroy (I like the Destroy part

It did remove a lot of adware from the computers I ran it on

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

 

Spybot is very good, but for CWS the best is CWS Shredder. IMHO, the best solution is to combine AdAware with Spybot + Kaspersky AV...

 

Except it failed to find the latest version...I am definately on more of a prevention kick now

 

This version is the pits, had it for a couple of weeks now and nothing removes it. CWS shredder used to get rid of it but since Spy bot took it over it doesn't do the job anymore

 

Coolwebsearch has to be removed in all its componants. While disconnected to the internet, I run spybot S&D. I change the IE setting back to default and I delete all related software. That one comes with other downloads and will reinstall when you run the other download again.

I find that on most computers I remove spyware from now days.

 

If you remove spyware try it with running the compu in safe mode. Some of the spyware can't be removed normally.

 

Also turn off system restore.

 

format c: /u and everything will go away for sure