CoolWebSearch, Dubbed Adware's "Ebola," Tops Spyware Threat List

TechWeb ^ | March 30, 2005 | Gregg Keizer

[Eagle9]

The most recent such move was by Computer Associates, which sells the PestPatrol anti-spyware line after acquiring the company in 2004. Last week, CA removed all Claria products -- including Gator/GAIN -- from its database under its Vendor Appeal program.

I've used PestPatrol, along with other anti-spy/adware, for the past two years. It was a good program that just became a worthless.

[goldstategop]

CoolWeb? My friend, you need I.E Spy-ad to lock down Internet Explorer and keep CoolWeb from downloading to your machine. And its free. You can also install a free I.E ad blocker called Ad-Shield and you can import a spyware blocklist to it. Adware's "Ebola" can't run with these deadbolt locks in place.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)

[Spktyr]

There's a better idea - don't use IE.

Better yet, get a Mac.

[Shaka]

ping

[John Will]

Install Luinx, problem solved.

[1066AD]

I use Spybot Search & Destroy.
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Current release is v1.3
One warning, if you see that it's not finding any updates it likely means that there's a new version available (they don't tell you automatically). Still, the price is right.

[Spktyr]

That works, too. I like Linspire for my end users in such a quandary.

[IamConservative]

Download "cwshredder" - if you have CoolWebSearch, this will find and delete it.

[IGOTMINE]

The bastards are determined to destroy a magnificent technology.

[philetus]

Install Luinx


Is this some new breed of OS?

[Eagle9]

Thanks for the advice, but I've avoided CWS, so far.

[Eagle9]

Spybot S&D is one of several anti-spyware programs that I run on a regular basis.

[Wiz]

I had Cool Web Search installed and Spybot Search & Destroy did not get rid of it.

[Wiz]

If you have Web Search Assistant/Cool Web Search spyware, get the CWShredder. However, there are some reports that it deletes unnecessary files depending what is confirmed to be deleted so be aware. I have used the lastest (in early 2005) version of AdAware and SpyBot but both could not remove it (however, future definitions may have the abilities). Don't forget to get SpyWare Blaster preventing spyware to be installed.

[mother22wife21]

???????any interest?????????

[Eagle9]

There's a better idea - don't use IE.

I agree -- use Firefox.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

If you use I.E. or Firefox you need (at least) these 2 programs from Javacool Software, both are free, but they will take donations.

SpywareBlaster

SpywareGuard

These will keep most of the bad stuff away and will alert you if browser is configured in an unsafe way.

[ntnychik]

Ping

[TheLion]

This virus has become more devious.

I had this CW infection that kept coming back after you would think you had deleted it. CW shredder was useless. So was SPYBOT, Hijackthis and Adware and Microsoft AntiSpyware. It was a vicious circle.

I finally, after figuring out what processes were causing the return, got hold of X-raypc. Cool program, free and small. It gives you info on all running processes and lets you off load them and/or delete the file causing the running process. Careful what you delete!

Check it out:

http://www.x-raypc.com/