homepage is reset to unwanted site, possible virus

[Guest]

everytime i open internet explorer it is set to an
unwanted address. the site is www.magicsearch.ws and every
time i try to type in a site address in the address bar,
it takes me back to the magic search homepage. i have
tried resetting everything for internet explorer in the
registry edit, and the same problem keeps occuring. it
happens regardless of what version of IE is installed.

 

[Guest]

INSTALL ONE OF THE FOLLOWING: SPYWARE (FREE), ADAWARE
(FREE) OR PESTPATROL ($30). THIS WILL CLEAN UP ALL YOUR
SPYWARE AND RESTORE YOUR HOMEPAGE.

 

[Mike Burgess]

Hi,
magicsearch.ws = CWS.Smartsearch.4 (coolwebsearch trojan)

How to remove Coolwebsearch and affiliates
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm#Coolwebsearch

Note: this type hijack indicates an unpatched machine, that is lacking
in "Defense". Please visit Windows Update to avoid these exploits.
____________________________________________________________
Mike Burgess [MVP Windows Shell\User] http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Blocking Spyware, Adware, Parasites, Hijackers, Trojans, with a HOSTS file
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm [updated 02-07-04]
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