Unwelcome Toolbar

[Jon]

Some website have gone and stuck a new toolbar into IE. I
searched through the Downloaded Program Files and found
the offender. It says I cannot delete it because of a
sharing violation. I closed every program on my computer
and still got the same thing. I cannot delete this file.
I have tried via Add/Remove program as well. This program
is also associated with another folder in 'Program Files'
that keeps reappearing even after it is deleted. If I go
online, it reappears. The toolbar is called "Fun and
Games" and has the extension potwbar.dll. How can I
delete this godforsaken thing? Its killing me. Please
help!

 

[Robert Duffy]

http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Ad-aware is a free multi spyware removal utility that scans your memory,
registry and hard drives for known spyware and scumware components and lets you
remove them safely. Run the update feature before scanning your computer. It is
updated frequently.

http://www.lurkhere.com/~nicefiles/
SpyBot Search and Destroy : The application searches your system for so-called
spyware, adware and similar threats to your privacy and security. If such
threats are found, it can give you some information about the interloper and
remove it from your system; creating a backup beforehand. Run the update feature
before scanning your computer.

| Some website have gone and stuck a new toolbar into IE. I
| searched through the Downloaded Program Files and found
| the offender. It says I cannot delete it because of a
| sharing violation. I closed every program on my computer
| and still got the same thing. I cannot delete this file.
| I have tried via Add/Remove program as well. This program
| is also associated with another folder in 'Program Files'
| that keeps reappearing even after it is deleted. If I go
| online, it reappears. The toolbar is called "Fun and
| Games" and has the extension potwbar.dll. How can I
| delete this godforsaken thing? Its killing me. Please
| help!

 

[PA Bear]

Check your system for "hijackware":

Dealing with Hijackware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.mvps.org/inetexplorer/Darnit.htm#tshoot
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

HijackThis (http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip) is the
preferred tool to use these days. It will help to both identify and remove
any hijackware/spyware. **Post your files to
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/, not here.**

Also update your virus definitions and then run a full system scan. From
now on, do both daily.
--
HTH...Please post back to this thread

~Robear Dyer (aka PA Bear)
MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP

Protect Your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/default.asp

 

[Ramesh]

First, scan the system for parasites and remove them. SpyBot S&D searches
your harddisk for Spyware and Adware
http://security.kolla.de/

&

Adaware (similar)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
(Remember to perform a Webupdate to have the latest definitions installed)

This will remove malware from the PC

Get ToolbarCop:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/utils/ToolbarCop.exe

ToolbarCop removes the Toolbars, Toolbar buttons and unwanted
menu-extensions from Internet Explorer.


--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

~ Please reply to newsgroup ~

Some website have gone and stuck a new toolbar into IE. I
searched through the Downloaded Program Files and found
the offender. It says I cannot delete it because of a
sharing violation. I closed every program on my computer
and still got the same thing. I cannot delete this file.
I have tried via Add/Remove program as well. This program
is also associated with another folder in 'Program Files'
that keeps reappearing even after it is deleted. If I go
online, it reappears. The toolbar is called "Fun and
Games" and has the extension potwbar.dll. How can I
delete this godforsaken thing? Its killing me. Please
help!

 

[Margarita]

Hi Jon,

I got the same problem today. And yes, I download Ad-aware as
suggested in this post. I installed it, run it but my problem is not
solved. It is getting worse. It eats up all my memory and caused
some weird problem.
I'm wondering if you already fix your problems? If so, could you
reply to let me know how did you do it (and please forward it to me
(e-mail address removed)).
I really appreciated your help.

Best Regards,
Lynn Vu

 

[Margarita]

FOUND SOLUTION!

When I run both Ad-aware and Spypot, both of these Freewares could not
detect the damn problem I got (however, they help me identifying and
removing other spywares) .

Here is what I did to solve my own problem. I found the 'Fun and
Games' file was secretly downloaded in directory: C:\WINNT\Downloaded
Program Files (I'm using NT). I manually delete this file. Then I go
to C:\Program Files to remove entire Dynamic Toolbar\potwbar
directory. Open my IE, that damn Potwbar disappeared this time for
good.

Believe me. After removing that damn thing the first time, I was
still not sure if I did it or Ad-aware and Spypot did it for me behind
the screen. I tried it again by open the scam email to star from
beginning as I did it yesterday by unsubscribe my email. And yes, it
again installed 'Fun and Games' in exactly the same directory
C:\WINNT\Downloaded Program Files and it Created a new directory
C:\Program Files\Dynamic Toolbar\potwbar and it's appeared on my IE.
I repeat the same procedure that I did last time: Delete the file 'Fun
and Games' from C:\WINNT\Downloaded Program Files and remove

Dynamic Toolbar\potwbar directory.

FYI, the scam email that caused all my problems is send by: Household
Bank [[email protected]]

with the subject as: A Special One Time MasterCard Offer!

The website where I unsubscribe for scam email:

http://click.4o-1.com/cgi-bin/remov...ahwvm2AMuaEsQyfagdWRQSCtBxY9LuXMmIfHqRCi6bb9E

And this is the link installed 'Fun and Games' to my computer:

http://toolbar.pickoftheweb.com/installed.html?toolbarver=2.00

I found the root and I don't know where to report this problem? I
just want to share information with you. Hope this helps someone in
the future.

Lynn Vu