Tool Bar --> Search Assistant redux

H

Hersh Kline

Hi, just thought I'd try again:
Does anyone know how to get rid of the Tool Bar Search Assistant function
that lives on the bottom of my XP screen in the task bar?
I right-click the task bar, get a pulldown menu that shows an option for
Toolbars, and un-check "Search Assistant," but then each time I log on it
returns.
Thanks very much,
Hersh
 
H

Hersh Kline

Hi Wes, thanks for the effort -- but no luck on my part. I downloaded the
file, then got my "Norton Malicious" message, then tried the options "allow
this activity once" and "authorize this script."
Things looked promising when I received a message box stating "The Search
Assistant is now disabled. You may need to Log off/Log on For the change to
take effect."
So I tried that, no luck -- tried doing an uncheck, went through the process
again -- no luck. Tried restarting -- still no luck.
If you have any further suggestions, I'd be much obliged...
with thanks
Hersh
 
W

Wesley Vogel

Hersh;

I don't think that Search Assistant, the way you describe it is an XP deal.
Is it possible that some other legitimate program installed it?

It may be scumware or a virus. What does it do??
 
W

Wesley Vogel

Hersh;

I happen to like Michael Connelly also. I've read a few of his books. :)
I've heard a couple of radio interviews with him, on a Denver station.

However, Blaze Find is a Hijacker. SCUMWARE!

First.
Right click the IE icon | Properties | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]
 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if a Web
page needs them in order to display the page properly or perform a
particular task.]]

Apply | OK
=================================

Second.
It is known as Scumware. Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are really good.
Download, install, run, update and run again; one or all. They are all
good, FREE utilities.
1) Spybot S & D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from
ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

4) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

4½) CWShredder
http://majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
===============

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp
 
H

Hersh Kline

Thanks for all of your help Wes, you led me into some interesting and
little-known areas! I downloaded and ran Spybot S&D and Registry Mechanic.
Spybot seemed to recognize BlazeFind and I did my best to delete it, but the
Search thingy is still with me. Oh well. (I run adaware 6.0 every few
weeks, and that did not seem to find BlazeFind).
By the way, I'm reading Connelly's new book -- The Narrows -- hard to put
down, yet putting it down helps prolong the pleasure!
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Wesley Vogel said:
Hersh;

I happen to like Michael Connelly also. I've read a few of his books. :)
I've heard a couple of radio interviews with him, on a Denver station.

However, Blaze Find is a Hijacker. SCUMWARE!

First.
Right click the IE icon | Properties | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]
 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if a Web
page needs them in order to display the page properly or perform a
particular task.]]

Apply | OK
=================================

Second.
It is known as Scumware. Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are really good.
Download, install, run, update and run again; one or all. They are all
good, FREE utilities.
1) Spybot S & D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from
ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

4) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

4½) CWShredder
http://majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
===============

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Wes, it leads to a webpage called Blaze Find -- some sort of internet
search engine.
Here's the URL that it leads to, in case you want to see it... I
just did a sample search for "Michael Connelly." and author I like.
Click to expand...
http://msxml.vpptechnologies.com/_1_2T34UC304TB84F8__vpp.blaze/search/web/%22Michael+Connelly%22
Click to expand...
 
W

Wesley Vogel

Hersh;

I'm reading one by Dennis Lehane, "Shutter Island."

Try this.
Make sure Spybot S & D is in Advanced Mode.
Up next to File, Mode | Advanced Mode | In the left hand pane
click Settings | Ignore Products | All Products tab
Make sure there's no check mark in any of these:
BlazeFind.AUpdate
BlazeFind.Bridge
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchBarCash
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchEnhancer.ISTbar
from Updates 4. March 2004
Click Spybot S & D in the left hand pane | Check for problems

I had some SCUMWARE and for some reason the ignore boxes
were checked for that SCUMWARE. I didn't check the boxes.
I assume that somehow the SCUMWARE did. I noticed this after
I thought that I had rid myself of it. Found two references after I
UNChecked the boxes and ran Check for problems.

All gone now. :)

blazefind. removal instructions {I don't know which flavor this is}
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ISTbar.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Thanks for all of your help Wes, you led me into some interesting and
little-known areas! I downloaded and ran Spybot S&D and Registry
Mechanic. Spybot seemed to recognize BlazeFind and I did my best to
delete it, but the Search thingy is still with me. Oh well. (I run
adaware 6.0 every few weeks, and that did not seem to find BlazeFind).
By the way, I'm reading Connelly's new book -- The Narrows -- hard to
put down, yet putting it down helps prolong the pleasure!
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Wesley Vogel said:
Hersh;

I happen to like Michael Connelly also. I've read a few of his
books. :) I've heard a couple of radio interviews with him, on a
Denver station.

However, Blaze Find is a Hijacker. SCUMWARE!

First.
Right click the IE icon | Properties | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page
properly or perform a particular task.]]
 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if
a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]

Apply | OK
=================================

Second.
It is known as Scumware. Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are
really good. Download, install, run, update and run again; one or
all. They are all good, FREE utilities.
1) Spybot S & D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it
from ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

4) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

4½) CWShredder
http://majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
===============

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Wes, it leads to a webpage called Blaze Find -- some sort of
internet search engine.
Here's the URL that it leads to, in case you want to see it... I
just did a sample search for "Michael Connelly." and author I like.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
http://msxml.vpptechnologies.com/_1_2T34UC304TB84F8__vpp.blaze/search/web/%22Michael+Connelly%22
Click to expand...
 
H

Hersh Kline

Hi Wes, I have read Dennis Lehane and really like his Patrick and Angie
stories set in Boston. Shutter Island I was so-so on, probably in part
because I work in the mental health field and read it with a
critical/credibility lens. My bad. ;>)
btw, have you read James Lee Burke? He's right up there for me with
Connelly and Lehane.
I tried your suggestions, actually none of the boxes were checked, I ran
another scan, and still have the blaze find thing. Darn! I also went to the
link you suggested, and tried the regedit stuff but in the end the roots did
not lead to the suggested files to remove. Hmmm...
As far as the add/remove entries, they did not show up on my computer:
("There is a entry in Add/Remove Programs for 'MS AUpdate' (AUpdate
variant), 'MS Updates' (MSCache variant), or 'ISTbar' (ISTbar variant").
I think I'm dead ended again.
If you have any other suggestions, I'm sure open to trying them. And,
thanks for trying to help thus far! Also: if it makes sense to you to email
me directly, please feel free to: (e-mail address removed).
Thanks,
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Wesley Vogel said:
Hersh;

I'm reading one by Dennis Lehane, "Shutter Island."

Try this.
Make sure Spybot S & D is in Advanced Mode.
Up next to File, Mode | Advanced Mode | In the left hand pane
click Settings | Ignore Products | All Products tab
Make sure there's no check mark in any of these:
BlazeFind.AUpdate
BlazeFind.Bridge
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchBarCash
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchEnhancer.ISTbar
from Updates 4. March 2004
Click Spybot S & D in the left hand pane | Check for problems

I had some SCUMWARE and for some reason the ignore boxes
were checked for that SCUMWARE. I didn't check the boxes.
I assume that somehow the SCUMWARE did. I noticed this after
I thought that I had rid myself of it. Found two references after I
UNChecked the boxes and ran Check for problems.

All gone now. :)

blazefind. removal instructions {I don't know which flavor this is}
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ISTbar.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Thanks for all of your help Wes, you led me into some interesting and
little-known areas! I downloaded and ran Spybot S&D and Registry
Mechanic. Spybot seemed to recognize BlazeFind and I did my best to
delete it, but the Search thingy is still with me. Oh well. (I run
adaware 6.0 every few weeks, and that did not seem to find BlazeFind).
By the way, I'm reading Connelly's new book -- The Narrows -- hard to
put down, yet putting it down helps prolong the pleasure!
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Wesley Vogel said:
Hersh;

I happen to like Michael Connelly also. I've read a few of his
books. :) I've heard a couple of radio interviews with him, on a
Denver station.

However, Blaze Find is a Hijacker. SCUMWARE!

First.
Right click the IE icon | Properties | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page
properly or perform a particular task.]]
 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if
a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]

Apply | OK
=================================

Second.
It is known as Scumware. Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are
really good. Download, install, run, update and run again; one or
all. They are all good, FREE utilities.
1) Spybot S & D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it
from ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

4) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

4½) CWShredder
http://majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
===============

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In Hersh Kline <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Wes, it leads to a webpage called Blaze Find -- some sort of
internet search engine.
Here's the URL that it leads to, in case you want to see it... I
just did a sample search for "Michael Connelly." and author I like.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
http://msxml.vpptechnologies.com/_1_2T34UC304TB84F8__vpp.blaze/search/web/%22Michael+Connelly%22
Click to expand...
 
W

Wesley Vogel

Hersh,

I have read quite a few by James Lee Burke, Dave Robicheaux.

With the link I supplied, I wasn't sure what variant it was. There are at
least four of these BlazeFind parasites.

[[Add/Remove Programs for 'MS AUpdate' (AUpdate
variant), 'MS Updates' (MSCache variant), or 'ISTbar' (ISTbar variant").]]

These are not good. Just a guess, but if you try to remove, they demand
Internet access.

Give HijackThis a shot. You may want to start in Safe Mode.

Starting your computer in Safe mode
http://tinyurl.com/pfca

3) HijackThis
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

This may be useful also.
HijackThis Log Tutorial
http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Hi Wes, I have read Dennis Lehane and really like his Patrick and
Angie stories set in Boston. Shutter Island I was so-so on, probably
in part because I work in the mental health field and read it with a
critical/credibility lens. My bad. ;>)
btw, have you read James Lee Burke? He's right up there for me with
Connelly and Lehane.
I tried your suggestions, actually none of the boxes were checked, I
ran another scan, and still have the blaze find thing. Darn! I also
went to the link you suggested, and tried the regedit stuff but in
the end the roots did not lead to the suggested files to remove.
Hmmm...
As far as the add/remove entries, they did not show up on my computer:
("There is a entry in Add/Remove Programs for 'MS AUpdate' (AUpdate
variant), 'MS Updates' (MSCache variant), or 'ISTbar' (ISTbar
variant").
I think I'm dead ended again.
If you have any other suggestions, I'm sure open to trying them. And,
thanks for trying to help thus far! Also: if it makes sense to you
to email me directly, please feel free to: (e-mail address removed).
Thanks,
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Wesley Vogel said:
Hersh;

I'm reading one by Dennis Lehane, "Shutter Island."

Try this.
Make sure Spybot S & D is in Advanced Mode.
Up next to File, Mode | Advanced Mode | In the left hand pane
click Settings | Ignore Products | All Products tab
Make sure there's no check mark in any of these:
BlazeFind.AUpdate
BlazeFind.Bridge
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchBarCash
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchEnhancer.ISTbar
from Updates 4. March 2004
Click Spybot S & D in the left hand pane | Check for problems

I had some SCUMWARE and for some reason the ignore boxes
were checked for that SCUMWARE. I didn't check the boxes.
I assume that somehow the SCUMWARE did. I noticed this after
I thought that I had rid myself of it. Found two references after I
UNChecked the boxes and ran Check for problems.

All gone now. :)

blazefind. removal instructions {I don't know which flavor this is}
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ISTbar.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Thanks for all of your help Wes, you led me into some interesting
and little-known areas! I downloaded and ran Spybot S&D and
Registry Mechanic. Spybot seemed to recognize BlazeFind and I did
my best to delete it, but the Search thingy is still with me. Oh
well. (I run adaware 6.0 every few weeks, and that did not seem to
find BlazeFind). By the way, I'm reading Connelly's new book -- The
Narrows -- hard to put down, yet putting it down helps prolong the
pleasure!
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Hersh;

I happen to like Michael Connelly also. I've read a few of his
books. :) I've heard a couple of radio interviews with him, on a
Denver station.

However, Blaze Find is a Hijacker. SCUMWARE!

First.
Right click the IE icon | Properties | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page
properly or perform a particular task.]]
 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if
a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]

Apply | OK
=================================

Second.
It is known as Scumware. Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are
really good. Download, install, run, update and run again; one or
all. They are all good, FREE utilities.
1) Spybot S & D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents
it from ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

4) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

4½) CWShredder
http://majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
===============

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In Hersh Kline <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Wes, it leads to a webpage called Blaze Find -- some sort of
internet search engine.
Here's the URL that it leads to, in case you want to see it... I
just did a sample search for "Michael Connelly." and author I
like.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
http://msxml.vpptechnologies.com/_1_2T34UC304TB84F8__vpp.blaze/search/web/%22Michael+Connelly%22
Click to expand...
 
W

Wesley Vogel

Hersh,

See if this one helps.

BlazeFind
http://www.spywareguide.com/product_show.php?id=724

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Hi Wes, I have read Dennis Lehane and really like his Patrick and
Angie stories set in Boston. Shutter Island I was so-so on, probably
in part because I work in the mental health field and read it with a
critical/credibility lens. My bad. ;>)
btw, have you read James Lee Burke? He's right up there for me with
Connelly and Lehane.
I tried your suggestions, actually none of the boxes were checked, I
ran another scan, and still have the blaze find thing. Darn! I also
went to the link you suggested, and tried the regedit stuff but in
the end the roots did not lead to the suggested files to remove.
Hmmm...
As far as the add/remove entries, they did not show up on my computer:
("There is a entry in Add/Remove Programs for 'MS AUpdate' (AUpdate
variant), 'MS Updates' (MSCache variant), or 'ISTbar' (ISTbar
variant").
I think I'm dead ended again.
If you have any other suggestions, I'm sure open to trying them. And,
thanks for trying to help thus far! Also: if it makes sense to you
to email me directly, please feel free to: (e-mail address removed).
Thanks,
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Wesley Vogel said:
Hersh;

I'm reading one by Dennis Lehane, "Shutter Island."

Try this.
Make sure Spybot S & D is in Advanced Mode.
Up next to File, Mode | Advanced Mode | In the left hand pane
click Settings | Ignore Products | All Products tab
Make sure there's no check mark in any of these:
BlazeFind.AUpdate
BlazeFind.Bridge
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchBarCash
from Updates 4. March 2004
BlazeFind.SearchEnhancer.ISTbar
from Updates 4. March 2004
Click Spybot S & D in the left hand pane | Check for problems

I had some SCUMWARE and for some reason the ignore boxes
were checked for that SCUMWARE. I didn't check the boxes.
I assume that somehow the SCUMWARE did. I noticed this after
I thought that I had rid myself of it. Found two references after I
UNChecked the boxes and ran Check for problems.

All gone now. :)

blazefind. removal instructions {I don't know which flavor this is}
http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ISTbar.html

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In
Hersh Kline said:
Thanks for all of your help Wes, you led me into some interesting
and little-known areas! I downloaded and ran Spybot S&D and
Registry Mechanic. Spybot seemed to recognize BlazeFind and I did
my best to delete it, but the Search thingy is still with me. Oh
well. (I run adaware 6.0 every few weeks, and that did not seem to
find BlazeFind). By the way, I'm reading Connelly's new book -- The
Narrows -- hard to put down, yet putting it down helps prolong the
pleasure!
Hersh

--
~ h ~
Hersh;

I happen to like Michael Connelly also. I've read a few of his
books. :) I've heard a couple of radio interviews with him, on a
Denver station.

However, Blaze Find is a Hijacker. SCUMWARE!

First.
Right click the IE icon | Properties | Advanced tab |
Make sure both of these are NOT checked.

 Enable Install On Demand (Internet Explorer)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Internet Explorer
components if a Web page needs them in order to display the page
properly or perform a particular task.]]
 Enable Install On Demand (Other)
[[Specifies to automatically download and install Web components if
a Web page needs them in order to display the page properly or
perform a particular task.]]

Apply | OK
=================================

Second.
It is known as Scumware. Visit these sites. 1, 2, 3 and 4 are
really good. Download, install, run, update and run again; one or
all. They are all good, FREE utilities.
1) Spybot S & D
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?lang=en&page=download
or
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

2) SpywareBlaster
[[SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents
it from ever being installed.
The most important step you can take is to secure your system. And
SpywareBlaster is the most powerful protection program available.]]
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

3) HijackThis (some other stuff that may be of interest also)
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

4) CWShredder direct download:
http://216.180.233.163/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

4½) CWShredder
http://majorgeeks.com/download4086.html

5) Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner v1.13
http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/index.html?source=appvisit

6) ToolbarCop
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/toolbarcop.htm

7) AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
===============

Additional information & instructions.
A wealth of information here, boys and girls.

THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Bugs, Glitches & Stuffups
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm

Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;827315#appliesto

Spyware and Deceptive Software
http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/twc/privacy/spyware.mspx?gssnb=1

What you should know about spyware
http://www.microsoft.com/security/articles/spyware.asp

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.
Wes

In Hersh Kline <[email protected]> hunted and pecked:
Wes, it leads to a webpage called Blaze Find -- some sort of
internet search engine.
Here's the URL that it leads to, in case you want to see it... I
just did a sample search for "Michael Connelly." and author I
like.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
http://msxml.vpptechnologies.com/_1_2T34UC304TB84F8__vpp.blaze/search/web/%22Michael+Connelly%22
Click to expand...
 
J

jimmy84

hi,

I had the same problem with the toolbar. I ran a google search fo
'remove blazefind' and found this website. I had already removed th
'IE search assistant' but not the 'windows sa' one.

It worked for me, good luck for you!

http://tinyurl.com/3ex3
-
jimmy8
 

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