my search feature invaded - help

[jobservation]

Can anyone help?

I consented to an extension download at some web site,
then next thing I knew I was loaded down with adware,
spyware, and all kinds of malicious crap. I got rid of
most, but my IE6 browser's search feature will give me
only something called "IEPL" and even when I
hit "customize" in the search window, it only gives me
another window for this alien search engine.

Does anyone know what this is, or, better, how to get rid
of it? Much obliged!

Jobservation, SF

 

[Frank Saunders, MS-MVP]

Can anyone help?

I consented to an extension download at some web site,
then next thing I knew I was loaded down with adware,
spyware, and all kinds of malicious crap. I got rid of
most, but my IE6 browser's search feature will give me
only something called "IEPL" and even when I
hit "customize" in the search window, it only gives me
another window for this alien search engine.

Does anyone know what this is, or, better, how to get rid
of it? Much obliged!

Jobservation, SF

First eliminate any scumware.
See
Dealing with Unwanted Spyware, Parasites, Toolbars and Search Engines
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Note that AdAware and SpyBot S & D will each catch some things the other
won't. Also, each need to be updated before every use, even when just
downloaded.

If trying everything at that site does not fix the problem please post back
in the same thread.