This helpful thread addresses "Home Search Assistant" & provides further
information for cleaning & provides links for other tools:
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407
CWShredder-
http://aumha.org/downloads/cwshredder.zip
CoolWebSearch Info & Tools
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/
"I now have Ad-Ware on my computer to block them"
Ad-aware does not "block" anything, but will remove most malware if properly
configured and updated. Just to make sure you have the correct Ad-Aware by
Lavasoft, check this site.
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm#products
Some products mimic the legitimate ones.
Ad-aware -
http://www.lavasoft.de/
MAKE SURE AD-AWARE IS CONFIGURED CORRECTLY:
Make sure you click "check for updates" above the start button or the globe
icon. *new reference files come out all the time.
Make sure Ad-aware is set correctly for a full "custom" scan:
Configuring Ad-Aware 6 for your first scan
Ad-Aware 6 comes pre-configured with default options that are already ON
(green checkmark) ... do not change them. The following are changes that you
will need to make to prepare the "Full" custom scan that is recommended for
the first look into your computer (instead of a red "x", you will make them
a green "checkmark"):
Launch the program, and click on the Gear at the top of the start screen to
access the preferences/setting window.
Click the "Scanning" button.
Under Drives & Folders, select "Scan within Archives".
Click "Click here to select Drives + folders" and select your installed hard
drives.
Under Memory & Registry, select all options.
Click the "Advanced" button.
Under "Log-file detail", select all options.
Click the "Tweaks" button.
Under "Scanning Engine", select the following:
"Include additional Ad-aware settings in logfile" and Under "Cleaning
Engine", select the following:
"Let Windows remove files in use after reboot."
Click on 'Proceed' to save these Preferences.
now on the start page you will find 3 options
smart scan
custom scan
file/folder
make sure you have a check next to CUSTOM SCAN on the LEFT side(use default
scanning options)
When you are finished, you will be using the Custom Scan with Memory and
Both registry scans ON. Please make sure that you activate IN-DEPTH scanning
before you proceed.
____________________________________________________________________________
______________________
Follow through with preventative measures
Helpful Links:
http://aumha.org/secure.htm
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/index.htm
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/