Internet Explorer invasion

[KT]

Using windows xp home,sp1 and IE 6 sp1, both with all the latest security
updates, and install on demand disabled, medium strength security levels.
How does something keep downloading and installing without me selecting it
or even knowing it? The latest offender is PickO'theWeb toolbar, which
cannot be removed by the add/remove software in windows, has no removal
options or tools even on the website, and can only be removed by manually
going through the registry! As far as I'm concerned this type of software is
the same as a virus!! BTW, I'm using a router, which I thought was supposed
to act as a firewall .... but I guess not, eh?

 

[Malke]

Using windows xp home,sp1 and IE 6 sp1, both with all the latest
security updates, and install on demand disabled, medium strength
security levels. How does something keep downloading and installing
without me selecting it or even knowing it? The latest offender is
PickO'theWeb toolbar, which cannot be removed by the add/remove
software in windows, has no removal options or tools even on the
website, and can only be removed by manually going through the
registry! As far as I'm concerned this type of software is the same as
a virus!! BTW, I'm using a router, which I thought was supposed to act
as a firewall .... but I guess not, eh?

Driveby installations - welcome to Windows! This isn't something a
firewall could stop, no. You may have clicked on something
inadvertently or installed some freeware that came with an unpleasant
addition. Internet Explorer is just made that way. Try a different
browser, such as Mozilla (full or Firebird) from www. mozilla.org. It's
free, stops popups, has a load of cool features like tabbed browsing,
and gives you much more control over your browsing. Be sure to run
spyware removal tools like Spybot Search & Destroy
(www.security.kolla.de) and Ad-aware (www.lavasoftusa.com) regularly,
updated them before you scan. Be sure you have a current av program
installed. And don't ever buy anything from a company that is supported
by spyware. Check out www.spywareinfo.com and the forums there for
great information.

Malke