How to remove iSearch Toolbar Spyware

[Ioman]

Somehow an iSearch toolbar got installed on my system. It would not let me uninstall it and did not show up under add/remove programs. Neither spybot or adaware found it either. I was pretty upset to say the least.

After trying to call the company and getting their answering machine and searching the net, I finally found out how to uninstall this crap.

http://toolbar.isearch.com/uninstall/

I hope when someone searches google, this thread shows up.

********************************************

Do we need to add anything to this guide?
-TG

New Varient of ISearch

If that link does not work there is another way to find this problem

If you have a advanced I search problem you will have alot of entries that look like this

O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.0 localhost (do not delete this one)

O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.2 auditmypc.com
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.3 boards.cexx.org
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.4 bulletproofsoft.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.5 camtech2000.net
O1 - Hosts: 127.0.0.6 cexx.org
delete them all except the first one shown
there may be alot more too,I just put the first five up for example.

Another way to spot I Search

entries that have this isrvs

O2 - BHO: IE Update Class - {5B4AB8E2-6DC5-477A-B637-BF3C1A2E5993} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\sysupd.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Desktop Search] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\desktop.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ffis] C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\ffisearch.exe
O18 - Filter: text/html - {950238FB-C706-4791-8674-4D429F85897E} - C:\WINDOWS\isrvs\mfiltis.dll

If you have any of these Fix them!

Also anything that says ISearch is bad

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.isearch.com/index.php?ref=none

O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Desktop Search Removal Tool] C:\Documents and Settings\Sean\My Documents\My Videos\isearch_deskbar_removal.exe /VERYSILENT /NOCANCEL /NORESTART /SP-

O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [iSearch Toolbar Removal Tool] C:\Documents and Settings\Sean\My Documents\My Videos\isearch_toolbar_removal.exe /VERYSILENT /NOCANCEL /NORESTART /SP-

O16 - DPF: {1C78AB3F-A857-482E-80C0-3A1E5238A565} - ms-its:mhtml:file://C:\ss.MHT!http://toolbar.isearch.com/install/...les/initial.cab

these are what to look for. Fix them.

If you have SpywareBlaster add these CLSID numbers to your Custom Blocking

{5B4AB8E2-6DC5-477A-B637-BF3C1A2E5993}
{950238FB-C706-4791-8674-4D429F85897E}

make sure you include parenthesis.

[neuroking]

I had one like this. Everytime I went to the spybot website, it would close IE and mozilla. It would also close spybot and ad aware whenever launched.

Spyware makers are fsckers.

[Ioman]

Originally posted by neuroking
I had one like this. Everytime I went to the spybot website, it would close IE and mozilla. It would also close spybot and ad aware whenever launched.

Spyware makers are fsckers.

This one would not let me close it. When I went to view>toolbars everything was shaded out and I could not turn the dang thing off. I can't believe these companies get away with stuff like this.

[ECA]

I would suggest Sueing them, IF you can find them.
I hate this crap. It fills your comp to the point it laggs to death.
Its always doing something or watching your access.

[ECA]

THEN they attach themselves to legit progs.
Like the weather prog. Just to send you Adverts.
Cant kill it unless you kill the weather prog, and still its NOT garunteed dead.

[hiddenmage]

Thanks ioman. Isearch showed up on my computer a couple of days ago and it's been driving me CRAZY. At least it was until I found your post.

I owe you!:D

[like2fish4fun]

I went through the same process as you. Lucky for me you had posted the link. Thanks a million.

[Ioman]

Wow didn't know Google would pick this up so fast. I have gotten a couple e-mails from people thanking me for the link, here is one I just got.


"to whom it may concern,

checked google to get rid of "isearch toolbar" and came across this site. got rid of it. thanks, thanks."

[JerzyM]

ohh man.. i was pissed with this bar.. and for past 4 days it was driving me crazy. i looked for isearch on google, and could not find anything. i looked under isearch removal, isearch tool bar, isearch, and nothing.. i just tried isearch adaware and it worked. :) sweet! Just like everyone else, i could not remove it anywhere.. i even searched registry for isearch, and i was able to remove about 10 isearch keys, but bar would stay untuched. also, i went into regestry under the IE tool bars, and removed all bars that were installed, and still no effect. i think we owe you a beer man! :)

[threecaster]

Here is how to remove isearch from IE on XP:

I am VERY suspicious of using MFR's websites for removal
of crap I did NOT ask for... so...

in regedit search for/remove the following:

!!! ALWAYS EXPORT A COPY OF YOUR REGISTRY BEFORE
ATTEMPTING CHANGES!!!

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{1C78AB3F-A857-482e-80C0-3A1E5238A565}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{1C78AB3F-A857-482e-80C0-3A1E5238A565}

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\iSearch.Object

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\iSearch.Object.1

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{6D3F5DE4-E980-4407-A10F-9AC771ABAAE6}

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\iSearch

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt\&iSearch The Web

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\CLSID\{1C78AB3 F-A857-482e-80C0-3A1E5238A565}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\iSearch.Object

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\iSearch.Object .1

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\TypeLib\{6D3F5 DE4-E980-4407-A10F-9AC771ABAAE6}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\{1C78AB3F-A857-482E-80C0-3A1E5238A565}\DownloadInformation
>>DELETE ONLY THIS KEY!!! : http://toolbar.isearch.com/install/00010/initial.cab

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions\{1AE2F26C-8E23-4930-A68D-9E681A764001}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar
>>DELETE ONLY THIS KEY!!! : {1C78AB3F-A857-482e-80C0-3A1E5238A565}

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-329068152-1972579041-725345543-500\Software\iSearch

HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-329068152-1972579041-725345543-500\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MenuExt\&iSearch The Web

It seems some of the HKEY_USERS ones dissapear after
deleting the first ones.

Reboot and ... Ta da!

I just did this and it work (apperently) w/o any problems.

Good Luck and be carefull!

[ZWANPHONY]

Originally posted by Ioman

I hope when someone searches google, this thread shows up.

DING DING!

thanks, but after using their installer, i noticed a few things:

in RegEdit, there are still some registries that haven't been deleted.

I get pop-ups that include the standard games that try to make you click (ie. click the pig that doesn't fit and win) and some bear one as well....
....those *****es. :mad:

[Ioman]

Originally posted by ZWANPHONY
DING DING!

thanks, but after using their installer, i noticed a few things:

in RegEdit, there are still some registries that haven't been deleted.

I get pop-ups that include the standard games that try to make you click (ie. click the pig that doesn't fit and win) and some bear one as well....
....those *****es. :mad:

hmm well it worked for me. The latest update to adaware (pay version) should have a fix for this too.

MY guess is that you still have some spyware installed on your system. I never got pop-ups from the iSearch toolbar. Check for GAIN or GATOR on your system, those two cause what you are experiencing.

[silverdatsun]

Greetings, this is my first post to this board.

I also had the iSearch toolbar problem. I followed Ioman's instructions and successfully got rid of it. But now that I've read threecaster's reply, I too am nervous about having used the iSearch uninstall utility to remove the iSearch toolbar that I did not ask for.

Could they have used the uninstall utility to do something nasty to my system?

[Ioman]

Originally posted by silverdatsun
Greetings, this is my first post to this board.

I also had the iSearch toolbar problem. I followed Ioman's instructions and successfully got rid of it. But now that I've read threecaster's reply, I too am nervous about having used the iSearch uninstall utility to remove the iSearch toolbar that I did not ask for.

Could they have used the uninstall utility to do something nasty to my system?

Technically yes it could. The only way to completely get rid of it is to either do what Threecaster recommended, or to wait until the major ant-spyware programs update their definitions to completely clense your system.

[tango27]

just wanted to say a big THANK YOU 4 gettin rid of isearch scum.

[irishrow]

Thanks for the quick fix, and I did use it, then read below that there was a manual way of eliminating iSearch without using THEIR own tool...I really prefer to do it that way.

We all agree that they aren't to be trusted. IN ANY MANNER.

Thanks, all, for the good input. I've also searched the net for a decent spyware program that would remove this toolbar, and NONE of them touched it. Can anyone recommend a spyware detection software package that can do this?

[Alden]

I used it just to see(never be lazy) and I still cant use google toolbar. Wont come up at all......spyware people are like hackers in a video game. Useless wimpy ****s! IE needs to upgrade becuase It still showed my toolbar as being locked. Grrrrrrrr So in short do the whole registry thing..anyone know where they got this crap from?
l8r

[jphoughton]

I run off of cable internet (always connected) and as of the last 2 weeks this Stop sign pops up on my computer about every 1-2 hours and if I am at work when I get home I've got like 9 pop-ups of the same ad - All saying STOP pop up ads - Well I can't find out where it is on my computer. Any advice or anyone having this problem. Thanks in advance!:sponge :sponge

[hiddenmage]

Originally posted by Alden
anyone know where they got this crap from?
l8r

I'm not sure, but I think I got mine with a "license" for media player. I downloaded a couple of video files with Kazaa Lite and one of them requested a license to play the file. Shortly after that I noticed that iSearch was back

Suddenly I don't trust anyone....

[llbbl]

Originally posted by hiddenmage
I'm not sure, but I think I got mine with a "license" for media player. I downloaded a couple of video files with Kazaa Lite and one of them requested a license to play the file. Shortly after that I noticed that iSearch was back

Suddenly I don't trust anyone....

I think you are talking about a codec. If the video wants to install or download a codec in order to play than it is a good chance that it is really downloading a virus or spyware...

There are several ways to prevent this from happening. Let us know if you are interested in hearing them and I will go into detail.

[kookie]

Luckily i have found this thread.

unfort when i go to the uninstaller link, it comes up with a box saying "can't remove isearch tool bar"

help?!

[llbbl]

Originally posted by kookie
Luckily i have found this thread.

unfort when i go to the uninstaller link, it comes up with a box saying "can't remove isearch tool bar"

help?!

It is suggested that you do 1 of two things to fix the problem.

1) edit your registry or find someone who can

2) backup all your data and do an clean reinstall of windows

[kookie]

pants.

I'll have to go for 1). but right now i need to sleep.

thanking you for your help!

[llbbl]

Originally posted by kookie
pants.

I'll have to go for 1). but right now i need to sleep.

thanking you for your help!

Your welcome .. Good Luck with the editing

[hiddenmage]

Originally posted by TecknoGeek
I think you are talking about a codec. If the video wants to install or download a codec in order to play than it is a good chance that it is really downloading a virus or spyware...


Nope, it wasn't a codec that it was downloading. It actually said that I needed a license to play the file. I clicked on "No", but it seemed like it didn't matter and the file played anyway.

I've got a feeling that it was a pop-up ad type of thing that was made to look like an "official" download.

[llbbl]

Ok . I understand now. It is that window thing that comes up everytime you goto the windows update site where you have to click "yes" I really trust this website to do whatever it wants to do. I don't think that you got rid of it when you initally tried to uninstall it.

Free Ad-aware can't get rid of all of it is what I think happens. I would be interested to hear if the pay version removes it for sure. I think you can configure the free one so that it always runs and does perodic scans ... to me it is a good reason to reinstall windows. I do about once a year.

[ISearchsuks]

Thank you!

It worked for me. I first went to internet options and tried to remove the tool bar.. This did nothing. I blasted it with adaware, spybot and window washer. Nada.

Then I uninstalled using the link above and VICTORY.


Thanks again,

P.S. I know little about things like Isearch but for safety I ran Spybot and Ad aware right after I deleted the ISearch bar and.... it appears the removal program gifts you with all kinds of tracking crap(technical term). So after you use there prog to remove the bar, run Spybot and ad aware again.

[Dannyrooks777]

loman,

dude! thanx!!! i was going bizackles tryna fig out how 2 remove isearch toolbar and then i found your thread. where else? on google of course! man! u've made my night and have kept me from beating my monitor to a pulp...ur awesome! thanx!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[techfreak]

Wow Ioman you are a real hero! Who would have known :D

Glad to know that someone found out how to crack this spyware program!

[so_thankful]

I am not a techie - but this place saved me from Itools toolbar! Thank you so much - no one else could save me@!

[bigmac]

Thanks a million. I was going crazy today trying to get that damn Isearch toolbar off my computer. I couldn't find it in my add/remove list. I did a search for it on my computer and found it and thought I'd removed it. Then I launch explorer and there it is. I spent at least 2 hours on it myself tiil I decided to do a search on google. Yes, your thread did reach me through google. Thanks a bunch:) :D

[sciiz]

Gotta say it's a good thing this board is here... I would have trashed my machine and used it for a paperweight!!!

:doh

[slimpiggy]

My dear humble friends,

thank you for the information

I still have two quick questions, please help me

1) the bullSit in media player 9.1 where it downloads a "license", how do I stop that? never had a problem like that when using win98

2) even before I saw this post, I played with regedit a bit and removed the isearch toolbar, but the view/toolbars menu is still faded, how can I get it back? already tried xp group policy editor, no go

thank you

[crh2nd]

Thanks a mil,loman.The first ind only search I performed with ISEARCH was...Remove isearch and your post came up at the top of the list..LOL..I promptly followed the url u had listed in this marvelous post and voila..no more isearch...you prob saved this old redneck a stroke as I could not find it in my add/remove either nor could I get my spyware remover program in System Mechanic to remove it.You have my undying gratitude and mucho the applause..I owe you a case of suds on this one!!!My bood pressue went up 250 points with this isearch mongoloid but back to NORMAL now..THANKS Dr.loman!!!:D

[ZWANPHONY]

so, i should run spybot again to remove what new trackers the uninstaller installed?

google rules

[Ioman]

Hey guys, another forum member is having trouble with a different spyware on his system. Can you guys swing by this thread and offer some help?

http://forums.designtechnica.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=26005

I would appreciate this!! Thanks.

[llbbl]

Originally posted by slimpiggy
My dear humble friends,

thank you for the information

I still have two quick questions, please help me

1) the bullSit in media player 9.1 where it downloads a "license", how do I stop that? never had a problem like that when using win98

2) even before I saw this post, I played with regedit a bit and removed the isearch toolbar, but the view/toolbars menu is still faded, how can I get it back? already tried xp group policy editor, no go

thank you

1. You might start a new thread about the media player 9.1 problem.

2. Did you try removeing the program by going to the link that is listed on the top of this thread? That seems to work for other people.

[odrich]

Ok I used Threecaster's method, thanks a million. I think it's all gone now. But the toolbar menu is greyed out. Does any body know of the regedit to turn it back on.

I've used HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar and set the locked DWORD from 1 to 0 to 2 and nothing seems to help

I agree with outher users and don't trust the same bastages that put this abomination on my system to take it off.

[waterygrave]

everyone: This iSearch makes me so angry. I fixed it and then googled this thread. One thing no one mentioned is that changes your HOSTS file (which the default location is c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc ) . I would recommend fixing that as well. You can also see the date/time it was installed.

Any ideas where it came from? My wife did it when I was out of town. When I get back to Austin, I am going to investigate their office, which WHOIS tells me is in downtown Austin. B@stards!!!

edit: their toll-free number is 1-800-844-5919 and the fax number is (512) 334-6001. Remember, they have to pay for calls to their 1-800 number. It would a shame if all of the readers of this thread started calling them and sending faxes :(

edit2: add c:\windows\system32\toolbar.dll to the delete list

[odrich]

It didn't modify my HOSTS file but I found a reg hack to fix the greyed out toolbar menu. I found it at:

http://forum.gladiator-antivirus.com/index.php?showtopic=12083&st=0&#entry41690

It adds the following lines:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoBandCustomize"=-
"NoToolbarCustomize"=-
"Btn_Search"=-
"SpecifyDefaultButtons"=-

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoBandCustomize"=-
"NoToolbarCustomize"=-
"Btn_Search"=-
"SpecifyDefaultButtons"=-

[llbbl]

What did they add to the hosts file? all it should be is a bunch of commented lines and then the following line..

127.0.0.1 localhost

[BGJay]

That link from the isearch seems to remove the tool bar, but doesn't fix everything, and probably installs more stuff!

I tried the manual removal, but still my computer is having problems.

My spybot and adaware won't download updates anymore. I think the problem is that isearch blocked all the websites. I can't access the spybot, lavasoft, hijackthis and many other spyware removal sites. It comes back not found. I tried pinging in the command prompt for those sites and it gives me 127.0.0.1. Clearly isearch has done something here.

Can anyone offer additional advice?

[waterygrave]

Check your HOSTS file. This is how theyre stopping the updates.

[BGJay]

Thanks for the info, I found how to change this from the forum on Lavasoft (from my computer at work). So, for anyone else who has this problem, do the following:

I had the same problem with Isearch, it made me very angry. What is the solution? Look in the folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\ to the hosts file and see what is in it? That explains everything. Delete all those entries exexpt one: 127.0.0.1 Local host.


Jay

[Cloud]

Originally posted by BGJay
Thanks for the info, I found how to change this from the forum on Lavasoft (from my computer at work). So, for anyone else who has this problem, do the following:

I had the same problem with Isearch, it made me very angry. What is the solution? Look in the folder C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\ to the hosts file and see what is in it? That explains everything. Delete all those entries exexpt one: 127.0.0.1 Local host.


Jay

I am pretty sure you can delete that file altogether and Windows will make a fresh new one for you upon connection to the net. Can someone try this?

[PMS0421]

Tried the link. isearch has blocked it and won't let it uninstall isearch. This thing is brutal!

[Ioman]

Originally posted by PMS0421
Tried the link. isearch has blocked it and won't let it uninstall isearch. This thing is brutal!


hmm maybe too many people were coming into that link. I had to go to it several times before it uninstalled it correctly.

[lowtechman]

Thank you for the helop in getting rid of isearch.

The uninstall worked great.

Sorry I can't be of more help to the group.

[help please]

Help me, please! I have isearch on my computer and the link didn't help. I have adaware and it didn't pick anything up (at least not to remove it). I would try to do it manunally but I don't have XP and when I searched through C://windows/system32/drivers I didn't have the 127.0.0 file. Plus I have three other toolbars that came from nowhere - ilookup (which I have been trying to remove for about a month), pilecast and Global Web Search. Can anybody help me. I have Windows ME if that helps for figuring out the manual removal.

Thank you...I'm so glad someone has a forum like this.

[llbbl]

Originally posted by help please
Help me, please! I have isearch on my computer and the link didn't help. I have adaware and it didn't pick anything up (at least not to remove it). I would try to do it manunally but I don't have XP and when I searched through C://windows/system32/drivers I didn't have the 127.0.0 file. Plus I have three other toolbars that came from nowhere - ilookup (which I have been trying to remove for about a month), pilecast and Global Web Search. Can anybody help me. I have Windows ME if that helps for figuring out the manual removal.

Thank you...I'm so glad someone has a forum like this.

Backup your data and install a different operating system. ME isn't as stable as 2k or XP since it is last of Dos based OS's. People say 98 2nd edition is better stability wise.. but I think it is just because it uses less system resources. How fast is the computer you are running?

If you don't want to reinstall please make a different thread regarding the other toolbars you are having trouble uninstalling.

Here is why I think you should reinstall window's...
It only takes a couple hours and you can be sure that you got rid of everything. Plus it free's up disk space and is a good way to get rid of all the junk you download. You always have the CD's to go back too. I suggest running Eraser on your HD immediately after you reinstall so that all your information can not be recovered from the drive.

[ClintonNichols]

just want to say thanks a bunch with the removal tool. i dont know why i didnt look here sooner for it. funny thing about that toolbar, i couldnt remove it even by deleted all references to it in the windows registry. thanks again

[Salacumo]

Haven't had the patience ti read the whole thread, but it seems that folks
are having trouble removing iSearch Toolbar with AdAware.

Eeehh, funny enough I have had no problems at all.
My version (6-0) removes the crap quite efficiently.
Or rather finds it, and then I delete it myself. Seems to find
all the files, so no complaints from here (which is in denmark) :D

Salacumo *this was my first post*

[weasel]

when i click the link it tires to uninstall it but a little alert window pops up and says that i cannot uninstall isearch toolbar

[johnjohnk]

I have gotten the isearch toolbar a couple of times now and the simplest way I have found to remove it is just to do a 'system restore'. After rebooting the toolbar is gone!

[odel2.0]

hello all-
i'm still having isearch toolbar "issues" however minor they may be they are still very annoying. i followed all of the instructions throughout this thread and removed everything from my registry as per the instructions. now ... i am unable to customize my tool bar in ie at all. there are still some buttons that are on there which don't belong such as antivirus, entertainment, search, and security. i am also unable to deselect any of the toolbars which are currently active. no resizing of icons. no picking or choosing. nothing. also, i don't know if this is related but when i select multiple jpeg's, they no long open within the same maximized window for browsing. now they open in separate smaller cascaded windows which is also annoying. the good thing is the rest of the toolbar is gone so thanks for helping with that to all who contributed. please help. thanks.

[classicfmbzc]

Hello. 1st Post. Also getting error that isearch toolbar can't be removed after using what I thought would be a helpful link posted by ioman. (Nice try bud.. thx) but should I really keep trying it until successful, like others have said? Perhaps it's creator has caught on and updated it. No dice with Spybot or Adaware. Please help. I have cancer in my family, only one income now and need thecomp to run a website livelihood of my own and this is annoying. Ready for hari kari. Something... anything! Thx so much.

[qwer]

firstly, thanks a million to ioman, the isearch bar was really ticking me off and i was desperately trying to find a way to delete it.

i had no problems after using the original link, toolbar is adjustable and all, however, after i opened my wmp9, just before i closed it, there was this notice that said my "licences was automatically updated", this problem was also mentioned by slimpiggy, this is the s**t that really scared me, anyone has any idea on the details of this problem? or what licences was downloaded? i would really appreciate it.

damn isearch to hell

[breezyyb]

hi...first time posting and I ahve spent all day and almost all night searching in vain for a way to remove the isearch tool bar. tried the uninstall link and also got the message that it couldnt be uninstalled..am getting kinda sick of the f**king thing really. I am not brave enough to start messing with the registry...unless I have more help with that one...
just thought I would share all this mudane crap with all of you. hopefully someone will come up with something short of a miracle about this toolbar...I am gonna go and try the restore thing now and see if that works......hope I get back all right...YIKES!!

[Ioman]

Originally posted by breezyyb
hi...first time posting and I ahve spent all day and almost all night searching in vain for a way to remove the isearch tool bar. tried the uninstall link and also got the message that it couldnt be uninstalled..am getting kinda sick of the f**king thing really. I am not brave enough to start messing with the registry...unless I have more help with that one...
just thought I would share all this mudane crap with all of you. hopefully someone will come up with something short of a miracle about this toolbar...I am gonna go and try the restore thing now and see if that works......hope I get back all right...YIKES!!

You can always pay for the latest Adaware, and remove it that way. It should not be much, under $20 I would assume.

Best of luck!

[classicfmbzc]

Well... Installed the pay version of Adaware... and still have the isearch toolbar. Kinda pissed I paid but moving on... how the mthrfk do I get rid of this without backing up and reinstalling? That's such a pain. Not into it. I'm using 98 and happy with it. Microsoft had me on the phone for 6 hours with another problem a few weeks ago (free) and didn't make a dent. I looked up my prob in a search and was done in 10 mins! I think I got the freaking janitor on the phone!! What do I do now? Thx!!

[breezyyb]

I have Adaware professional, and I have spy-zilla and I have spy ware blaster. and they all have it llisted but I still have the tool bar...BLAST-IT- ANYWAYS!!!!!! and now I cant get my lower task bar to come up at all. cant open the task bar/start menu option either....tried restoring and had the task bar for about 10 minutes....this is BAAADDD

[ECA]

Can I suggest something...
Go to there SITE.
ANY thing placed on your comp, MUST be removable......
IF it is NOT contact a lawyer, FAST, with info on where they are and there phone number, THEN send a bill for his services, and your inconvience.

[johnjohnk]

Breezyb - you tried to do a system restore to a time previous to having the isearch monster and it did'nt work?? I have done this twice already and I have no sign of it or any side effects. My PC is just as it should be. I think only XP has this feature though.

[breezyyb]

honest, I have done restore not once, but 3 times...all the way back in january!! I cannot believe it. and i cant resize any of other toolbars, (yahoo,links & just the standard buttons!!) they are all shaded and untouchable. I think I went and uninstalled my taskbar and start menu instead of the isearch tool bar!! I tried going to the site too, they said that it is spyware and they arent the ones who put it there, there is also "idownload.com" which is connected somehow...
ps...I have XP also, and would take any ideas as to WHY my taskbar wont comeup for nothing!! BOO-HOO....this doenst seem to be a good start to april!!!

[Cloud]

Originally posted by breezyyb
honest, I have done restore not once, but 3 times...all the way back in january!! I cannot believe it. and i cant resize any of other toolbars, (yahoo,links & just the standard buttons!!) they are all shaded and untouchable. I think I went and uninstalled my taskbar and start menu instead of the isearch tool bar!! I tried going to the site too, they said that it is spyware and they arent the ones who put it there, there is also "idownload.com" which is connected somehow...
ps...I have XP also, and would take any ideas as to WHY my taskbar wont comeup for nothing!! BOO-HOO....this doenst seem to be a good start to april!!!


Dude you are doing something seriously wrong then. Most people report the link is working, and for those which are having problems with the link, Adaware is removing it for them. And there are even people saying to do a system restore.

So my guess is since you cannot get the bugger off, you need to format and reinstall your OS....sorry man, thats the best way for you now.

[breezyyb]

oh no way....I think I will keep on trying to do a few things..(yikes)...now I am confronted with no taskbar at the bottom. Its kinda wierd, but hey, it is something of a challange. so any ideas or thoughts would be cool. I am constantly interested in learning and I am willing to try ALMOST all things...as long as I have a book!! hahaha
thanks guys...

[neuroking]

I agree with ECA.

Because the maker is installing a program on your computer without your consent, and it is damaging your private property, you have every right to sue. They can say you don't have adequate computer knowledge to know when you are installing the software, or that you imply consent by visiting their website, but the fact that you do NOT obsolve them from damage gives you precendent.

Usually you install an application with the EULA prior to installing, which requires you to agree that anything bad that happens to your computer is not the fault of the maker. In this case, the EULA is only made known POST installation.

I'd say, get a lawyer friend to write a letter, and if that doesn't work, claim you have sensitive information critical to your busnies on the machine that was corrupted, and take them out to the tone of a couple million dollars.

[keith.a.young]

I want to put a stop to this. I am in the middle of many important decisions and such. I am in between jobs, places of living, and schools, and this has taken much of my time by having my property vandalized. If anyone can, help me fine them or even sue them. If I were to change their engine without their consent they would be in a position to sue me. These people are scum and we should treat them as such.

[ECA]

NO,
Its this way...
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to REMOVE it, ALL of it.

If some added a special PART to your car, you have the right to REMOVE it. Someone do something SPECIAL to your house, you have the RIGHT to remove it.

[keith.a.young]

i live in america, people sue mcdonalds for their coffee being hot. my property is vandalized and I want to put the screw back to these scumbags, wether it puts $ in my pocket or not. someone do something to stop these people. submission is agreement my freind.

[neuroking]

Or you could always go to the source. Here's the Whois information for isearch.com ...

Registrant:
iDownload.com
701 Brazos
Suite 500
Austin, TX 78701
US
800-844-5919

webmaster@idownload.com

Give them a call at:
The iDownload toll free number is: 1-800-844-5919

It seems strange that idownload would be the source for isearch, so contact them first to confirm.

[keith.a.young]

To my dismay I have yet to find a way to report this crime (or what should be a crime). I would rather not go through trying to sue them, I just want these guys fined. I am trying to get to www.adaware.com and www.lavasoft.com like I have been recommended, but isearch wont let me visit these sites. I found a place to download adaware, and then isearch denies my access to that to. Nothing pisses me off more than my rights being infringed on, and the scumbags causing this get away with it.

Please everyone do what you can to just get these people to stop, I shutter to think how many people this has happened to and how acceptable it seems to some. This is so frustrating and depressing, I didnt even do anything stupid before getting this, it makes me wonder how they install it. Is there a proper place to report this stuff, or a specific thread aimed at this so I dont fill a "how to fix" thread with "how to stop" information?

[neuroking]

Originally posted by ECA
NO,
Its this way...
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT to REMOVE it, ALL of it.

If some added a special PART to your car, you have the right to REMOVE it. Someone do something SPECIAL to your house, you have the RIGHT to remove it.

I know what you're saying, but they wiull try to defend by saying that you did something after installing it to make your system non-standard, so it is your fault you can't get rid of it.

Kinda like them claiming that you then poured super glue all over the part in the car. Sure you cleaned it up for the court hearing, but you caused it to be un-removable. (at this point it should be legal to kick the defendant square in the nuts)

[keith.a.young]

Please everyone try to report this. I have tried reporting through www.michigan.gov and isearch comes up saying I cant access the site. It apears this isnt a crime what they are doing, and I feel it should be. Write to your lawmakers and tell them the problems this causes. This is holding up my decision on what school to go to, what job to get, where to move (which will cost alot trust me). When I am pissed I lose sleep, when I lose sleep I cant think, and tomorow I have a meeting with the lead of mechanical and aeronatical engineering of a school, where I will need to be at my best obviously. This "small acceptable nuisance" could have a large negative affect on the rest of my life.

[neuroking]

Originally posted by keith.a.young
To my dismay I have yet to find a way to report this crime (or what should be a crime). I would rather not go through trying to sue them, I just want these guys fined. I am trying to get to www.adaware.com and www.lavasoft.com like I have been recommended, but isearch wont let me visit these sites. I found a place to download adaware, and then isearch denies my access to that to. Nothing pisses me off more than my rights being infringed on, and the scumbags causing this get away with it.

Please everyone do what you can to just get these people to stop, I shutter to think how many people this has happened to and how acceptable it seems to some. This is so frustrating and depressing, I didnt even do anything stupid before getting this, it makes me wonder how they install it. Is there a proper place to report this stuff, or a specific thread aimed at this so I dont fill a "how to fix" thread with "how to stop" information?

This is what happened to me. If you are on broadband, you can try the following:

iSearch will close IE when it detects you are at adaware or lavasoft's websites, or when the program is running. But it sometimes takes up to 30 seconds to detect it. If you bookmark the spybot download and try it multiple times with a resumable download agent, or IE's will work eventually, you should be able to download the updated definitions file (why you need broadband). There is a suspicious process that you can kill to delay the detection. I can't remember the name off the top of my head, though.

Next, reboot into safe mode. You should now be able to run spybot, and apply the updated definitions. Once Spybot has run, remove anything it finds. Afterwards, open the internet options control panel from Windows, NOT IE. Change the home page to whatever it was before you got the search bar.

Let us know if it persists. Remember that there are other search bars as well, and these directions may not work for all toolbars.

[keith.a.young]

I downloaded from download.com and ran spybot and the toolbar is still there. Also ran adaware, nothing changed.

[keith.a.young]

Perhaps some of you could act like you want to do business with them and get any information you can on them then post it here. I will do what I can. I am sorry if I am filling up this thread but I will not stand for this vandalism and lack of respect by these goat lovers. I cant stop them alone but with enough help this can go a long way.

[terence]

This junk & useless iSearch. Just drive me nut.

But I am able to remove them after follow the link which provided by "Ioman" http://toolbar.isearch.com/uninstall/.
Once again thanks for the goodie.

That son of the ***** iSearch, smell like chicken ****....

[keith.a.young]

I wouldnt trust that link. If a terrorist were to bomb a building then say "send your top authority here with no protection" would it be smart to comply? Do not forget the low class of these individuals and their obviouse beleif that screwing us over benefits their sick pleasures.

This program could do anything to your computer, and clicking on it says "i want this installed" which I didnt do when I got this virus or whatever the hell it is. I am sure this would make a lawsuit or reinbursment more difficult. I have a proffesional coming to my home this week to check it out, and I will post here what he finds.

Again, dont eat from the hand that strikes you.

[Creamsteak]

For those of you that havn't had any success with the given methods, I have one more suggestion. Google "HijackThis" and iSearch at the same time, and you should find links to the "HijackThis" software which has always worked to remove iSearch for me.

[helron]

thank you so much this one was really tricky :mad:
this kind of society have to be sue !

[breezyyb]

well....all I do know right now is that it is still here...taking up space, and it isnt even a really BAD toolbar, it got bad when I couldnt take it off...It seems like I wasnt given a choice in the matter...and it seems to me that the toolbar came along about the time I downloaded the game "hyper 21"...
hummmm....

[classicfmbzc]

Is this isearch jabroni like luggage then? Just keep it in my attic and ignore it cuz we ain't goin anywhere anytime soon?
I mean really... what can it possibly do if left alone? Can it steal from me? Can it disable or harm my computer? Can it screw my wife when I'm not home? Is it Big Brother? Is it Jesus? What will or can this scum do? I'm serious?
I have no time for this suing idea. No one's gonna win... no one's gonna get these jabronis and draw and quarter them like we'd all like... nothing's gonna happen. I've tried all your ideas several times! --Nothing. I sincerely thank you all for your help but I really need to just be a dad... sleep with my wife... go to work... go to softball and soccer games... do my show and post things to my site when I get a chance and just live my life. I can't sit here 24/7 and go blind. WTF is this thing and what can it really do if I ignore it? I mean really? Any thoughts? Thx folks. I just don't have it in me. Call me a sissy but I have more important things to do than this. What can this thing do? --Thx, --Gene

[TonyC1200]

The Isearch Toolbar Remover or Uninstaller Dosn't work.
I've downloaded a simular program and it dosen't work either.
What do i do to remove this other than reinstalling windows, this thing is Annoying. Can anyone Help?
I Cant keep my homepage Webshots.com Either!!!

[keith.a.young]

I know, i mean really. If someone were to smash up my car what difference would it make? Would the car suddenly explode? If someone were to rob my home, no big deal. Its not like they are still in my home so why should I car, I will just ignore all my stolen property, because what can my stolen property do to me?

These people have damaged our property, and I sir do not happen to be a hippie. Someone doing something to me will feel my wrath and learn to not screw with me again. Yesterday I was sending out my taxes and was out of stamps, so i set out the envelope and 37 cents, always worked in the town i grew up. I get home and its all ripped up. Today I will spit in the mailmans face and call him a cowardly little mama's boy. I will offer him an envelope with money in it and hopefully when he rips that it will be a crime. I am sorry but I cannot stand back and just take what the world gives me, if you do not stand up to them they assume it was ok and will continue to do it. You are a democrat arent you? Stop the terror without actually doing anything, yeah right.

I encourage all of you to do what you can to stop this stupid company. I have a profesional coming in this week to see what he can do. I will tell you what this guy finds.

[dandigger]

wow this seems to have been a huge problem. I had the same problem until someone showed me this forum. I'm now a registered user and will come back many times. A huge thanks for a ton of people.

[classicfmbzc]

ANYWAY....... does anyone know what this isearch thing can physically do if I ignore it? Does anyone know what it's purpose is? What does it actually do that I'm not aware of?

Thx.

[classicfmbzc]

Ooops! Too much coffee... clicked it twice!

{ i fixed it for you ... - TG }

[iphantom]

ioman--thank you so much the tool bar showed up earlier today and I have been going crazy trying to get rid of it - adware and spybot didnt do anything
but after searching around I found this thread.-
-thanks man

---<Matt

[llbbl]

Originally posted by breezyyb
oh no way....I think I will keep on trying to do a few things..(yikes)...now I am confronted with no taskbar at the bottom. Its kinda wierd, but hey, it is something of a challange. so any ideas or thoughts would be cool. I am constantly interested in learning and I am willing to try ALMOST all things...as long as I have a book!! hahaha
thanks guys...

Did you try editing your registry? If adaware cause you to have no task bar than maybe it is something other than an isearch bar problem.

It could have been caused by you deleting the wrong thing in Adaware or editing your registry incorrectly. Let us know if you got this fixed or not.

[TNT THUMBS]

http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

http://209.133.47.200/~merijn/files/HijackThis.exe

These are two links that ihave used to get this undercontrol.
It has removed the toolbar from my webpages and i can now keep the homepage i want. It seems to have only gotten rid of about 75% of the problem, but i do believe it is a start. I live in austin TX were if you look on page eight "neuroking" Left the following info.


Registrant:
iDownload.com
701 Brazos
Suite 500
Austin, TX 78701
US
800-844-5919

I have called then more then 50times in my system...i will be paying them a visit.

I have tried the regstry delete also and it seems to have the same effect that i had with the links above. My View-Toolbar is still grey'd out, but the isearch is gone and the problems that it causes is about gone...im working on it and if i get anything iwill post it, and i will continue checkin the site to see if anyone else has.

Thumbs

[Cloud]

When you go to visit them, give them a quick swift in the arse for us. Tell them they will have a large lawsuit on their hands in the form of about 30 guys from our forums (if everyone chips in to hire an attorney, this would be very very cheap) if they don't stop this crap now.

[TNT THUMBS]

I leaving now, will post a reply here to let everyone know what happens...

[Ioman]

Give 'em hell for us!!:mad: :bash

[llbbl]

Originally posted by TNT THUMBS
I leaving now, will post a reply here to let everyone know what happens...

Call the local news in Austin and ask to speak to a investigative reporter. Tell them the story and see if they are interested in doing a story on a "local" company whose business is; the collecting personal information about people without their permission, developing a product that is harder to get rid of than most viruses.

I also suggest that someone contact a lawyer to see if a class action lawsuit would be possible with regards to this matter. Even better yet is if one of people who find this thread because their computer has been infected is a lawyer. Be warned that it is not guarenteed that his services will be paid for and that anyone who goes to see a lawyer might have to pay out of their own pocket. It will be important to talk to the right lawyer for the job, try to look for one who specializes in computer crime.

[llbbl]

Originally posted by TNT THUMBS
[/B]

Here is a better location to download HijackThis.

http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

[keith.a.young]

it wont let us to that website. any chance someone could download it and put it on their FTP for us to download? any way that we can download it without isearch knowing we are visiting a place we have to right to visit. Man this erks me.

[TNT THUMBS]

http://www.pigeonguy.com/CWShredder.exe

http://www.pigeonguy.com/HijackThis.exe

Ok, this is my site..it shouldnot give anybody problems downloading it from there.


I went there office and they looked so surpised that i was there in person and what i was complaining about and they office lady got on the phone and started to whisper to someone on the phone. They said that there is no tech's there that can help me right now and they dont know what im talking about. I do have a friend that is a criminal attorney and i will talk to him to see if he can help me or if he knows someone. I will not go out with out a fight.

[keith.a.young]

Thank you thumbs. Not only for making these available but also for fighting these justified criminals. Anything I can do to help count me in. The more of us that stand up to this the more likely we will win.

At the risk of sounding like a prick, is there any way to verify that these downloads are actual helpful software?

I just typed in your address and Isearch wouldnt let me in, making me think they may observe this forum. Forum moderators can you track IP address? If someone is helping them block us from stopping the program they to should be held accountable to.

[TECH_GUY]

THank you Loman for your post. I had been searching for weeks to get rid of it. I finally stumbled upon this site and read your post. Thanks again!!

[TNT THUMBS]

They worked for me.....i have not had a problem getting to any website and it has gotten rid of the Isearch bar...They probaby dont recognize the site, just the name, i will rename then so they dont know...if anyone wants me to email them to them i will...my email is babyeden@austin.rr.com.

http://www.pigeonguy.com/trythis.exe (hijackthis)

http://www.pigeonguy.com/papershredder.exe (cwshredder)

See if those work...i own the website and manage it for my Father.

[chineseraverboy]

spyware is just to get on our nerves.
i ususally look around on the computer for spyware crap and if i dont find any i try closing all programs that might contain it.
those people must of got really bored and decided to find a way to hack into everybodys computer or something.
anyways, try looking somewhere in the windows folder or the ie folder, usually its there

[dj_mr]

Ioman u r awesome. I have been fighting with that darn search bar for days. It was driving me crazy. Especially when u click on the toolbars and couldnt click on them to turn them on or off. So glad I found this site. Added to favorites as of now.
Thanks Again.

Mike

[paulasheri]

Registered just to thank you, Ioman! Somehow the blankity-blank Isearch popped up on our computer today and hubby worked on it for 1/2 hour or so. When he stepped away I ran a search on Yahoo for Isearch and found your wonderful link. Now I get to gloat all evening..hehe.

Meanwhile, it really does tick us off that this stuff happens. If there was a way to retaliate, I would jump all over that. It's just rotten....

Thanks again for all your work in finding the way to get rid of this pest - and thanks a ton for sharing it with the rest of us!!!

Big Hug!

[Cougarmutt]

Thanks to the messages I found in this forum, I was able to get rid of my SpyWare (the iSearch toolbar).

Makers of SpyWare should be hung upside down by their bal....feet and fed exlax until they die if dehydration.

Or torment them for eternity by giving them a computer and a mouse but no keyboard............

Here is the link to remove it.
http://toolbar.isearch.com/uninstall/


Da' Mutt

[keith.a.young]

I never pictured a tone of voice untill I read that one... gross

Anyway, the guy fixed much of the problem, but I still cannot go to websites like lavasoft or anything. We wound up going back to how the computer was before this mess, and yet somehow it still blocks addresses, but the toolbar is gone, and I can change toolbars. So it is a partial victory, all thats left is unblocking websites and shutting down this gay company.

[ECA]

Did you perchance, look into IE blocked websites??YEP theres a button for it...

[greatd]

Thanks that **** was pissing me off.

[benjamin raspel]

i just registered myself here to say a special thanx to Threecaster for giving us the removal instructions the manual way. I didn't try the isearch removal tool cause i feared it would contain some more rubbish in it..

cheeerz
a Google Search on how to remove the Isearch spyware drove me directly to this forum..

[highwayhip]

Thanks for your post it helped 100%

[steffer34]

thanks I was able to get the isearch tooldbar off of my pc.. you are right it is crap.

[JustinKage]

Thanks, I went to the link, but it said "Cannot be uninstalled"..

Although reading all the replys, alot seemed to have it alot worse than me. I could goto the Lavasoft websites and stuff.

But this is the big problem, but I don't know if i-search is associated with it. As soon as I got I-Search, my Windows Media Player immediatly stopped working. I click on it, it acts like it's loading, and just dies, leaving a stranded "iexplore" on my ctrl+alt+dlt screen.

Can someone help this?

[Rob]

Hi,
Thanks for the link. The Iseach garbage that I had on my PC is now gone. I did a quick search through Yahoo and found your thread.
Thanks

[llbbl]

I just typed in your address and Isearch wouldnt let me in, making me think they may observe this forum. Forum moderators can you track IP address? If someone is helping them block us from stopping the program they to should be held accountable to.


Maybe Isearch blocks it by the name of the program? I know that Outlook prevents you from opening .exe's that are sent as attachments. Maybe they have setup a filter for all *.exe's.

[fireman300]

Three Cheers for IOman:D :D :D :D :D

[Bucky]

IOman;

You are the greatest ...thanks man. I really HATE spyware and this kind of intrusive crap. I mean we're all tech heads and we still had to search to high heaven to find you and your remedy for this bastard. Think about all the "normal" PC users that will be stuck with iSearch FOREVER. .

I owe you a cold beer for your remedy!

Jeff

[pvmike1]

Much thanks Ioman and TNT THUMBS, as well as all others who have contributed to this thread!

Found this forum on google to remove that friggin isearch toolbar. The first link provided by Ioman removed the toolbar. However, there was additional spyware on my computer. I used adaware and spybot to remove it.

Also, a large number of spyware removal sites were blocked on my computer. HijackThis fixed a huge list of sites that were blocked (found in the registry after 127.0.0.1 localhost) and I also deleted c:\windows\system32\toolbar.dll, per waterygrave's instructions.

Thanks to TNT THUMBS for hosting links to download CWShredder and HijackThis! I would have been unable to do so otherwise.

http://www.pigeonguy.com/CWShredder.exe

http://www.pigeonguy.com/HijackThis.exe

I checked the registry for any remaining crap as per threecaster's instructions (see bottom of page 1), and everything was clean.

THANKS GUYS!

[Ioman]

Originally posted by JustinKage
Thanks, I went to the link, but it said "Cannot be uninstalled"..

Although reading all the replys, alot seemed to have it alot worse than me. I could goto the Lavasoft websites and stuff.

But this is the big problem, but I don't know if i-search is associated with it. As soon as I got I-Search, my Windows Media Player immediatly stopped working. I click on it, it acts like it's loading, and just dies, leaving a stranded "iexplore" on my ctrl+alt+dlt screen.

Can someone help this?

Keep trying the link, I think when their server is full the link stops working.

[nightowl]

Thanks Logan for the link. I found it easily on Dogpile. I got that lousy toolbar on my computer tonight. I typed in ISearch toolbar removal and your link came right up. Saved me alot of time and aggrivation, thanks..........Jim

[nightowl]

Sorry I called you Logan. I must need a thicker set of glasses!

What are these links CW Shredder and Hijack this. What do they do? Is there a way to hack these hackers back?:sponge

[llbbl]

Originally posted by nightowl
Thanks Logan ...

Ioman: So much for every single post thanking you! Finially I get some credit :P

[keith.a.young]

Everyone be aware, I had my credit card number stolen. It could have been caused by this toolbar, I am really getting wicked pissed now. Who else wants to help get a lawsuit?

[aycamacho]

Ok, so this post was very helpful in removing the isearch toolbar. Here's my issue though. Even though it removed my toolbar, the damn thing keep reseting my homepage to isearch. I set my homepage to yahoo, for example, close out my browser and then *BAM*, it's back to isearch as my default homepage. Anyone know how to fix this? Or am I just screwed?

[PabstBlue]

Thank you sooooo much.... i dont understand how i got it, but i sure am glad i got rid of it. Its things like this (removing the crap on her PC) that make my girlfriend love me :D

[nightowl]

That happened to me a few months ago but it was a different website,searchv I believe. If you have Windows XP you can use Systems Restore. Set your computer back to a date before this occured should work.

Accessories/Systems Tools/ System Restore

If this problem started on April 12th then set your computer back to a date before that.

After I did that I enabled the firewall and Downloaded the latest security updates.

Worked for me , good luck........Jim

[llbbl]

Originally posted by aycamacho
Ok, so this post was very helpful in removing the isearch toolbar. Here's my issue though. Even though it removed my toolbar, the damn thing keep reseting my homepage to isearch. I set my homepage to yahoo, for example, close out my browser and then *BAM*, it's back to isearch as my default homepage. Anyone know how to fix this? Or am I just screwed?

You are going to have to edit your registry.


In Registry Editor, locate the following subkey, if it exists:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Inte rnet Explorer\Control Panel

If the ResetWebSettings value or the HomePage value exists in this key, right-click the values, and then click Delete.

Note You may also want to verify any Web site information contained in the Default_Page_URL value and the Start Page value in the following registry keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

HKEY_ LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320159

Good luck!

[ECA]

AS for getting it...
There are lots of second hand ways for that.
Lots of progs are attached to other downloads.
I got a weather prog, and GATOR comes with it.
There advert progs. They DL adverts to your system and pop them up. For 56k IT REALLY SUCKS.

NOW:
Windows could have stopped most of this stuff, but they didnt. They wanted ways to setup there OWN advert software and ways to manipulate your comp, but others jumped on the band wagon first.
1 feature I would ask is that I can control or CHANGE the data sent to sites when I log into them. Control the cookies as a site asks for them or installs them. Then you would have power.
Before MS took over the net, you could wonder around as anonomous... NOW you cant. Almost every site wants your info and address.
This is like haveing a phone book with every bit of info you need to send Garbage mail and phone solitations to.
But i also want to Log into DT when i come to the site without touching a key.

[Portgordon]

Just to let you know that Adaware Version 6.0 Build 6.181 using the most up-to-date reference file (01R292 14.04.2004) completely removes the iSearch toolbar along with all of it's symptoms and effects (this includes all of the registry keys/toolbar locking/homepage setting etc..)

I understand that somepeople cant get to the lavasoft website....here are direct links to the application and the reference file:

Ad-aware 6.0:
http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/downloads/download.php/id/33
Latest reference file:
http://updates.ls-servers.com/reflist.zip

Install the application, and update the refist file in the installation directory. Run the application and perform a scan. once the scan is completed, select all the components found and click next to quarantine them.

Et voila! a clean system thanks to Lavasoft.

This will also get rid of everything that the "uninstall" page throws onto your machine when claiming to get rid of the toolbar.

iSearch stops websites being viewed by editing the windows host file (as discussed previously). Locate and delete (perfectly safe - windows recreates it automatically) the file: c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts. you will then be able to access the previously blocked sites.

[nightowl]

I just updated my reference file on Ad-Aware 6.0 and found 3 Isearch registry bugs. They are gone now, Its a great program for free.


aycamacho this also may solve your problem.

I hate Hackers!:sponge

[vacaloca]

I've been trying to remove the Isearch search window from IE all day today with no luck. I was reading this thread not really correlating that everyone was writing about a Toolbar, and my problem is with a Search Window.

But they were both Isearch, so I just thought it was the same.

Then I tried the Hijack This program, and saw that my problems were coming from www.i--search.com, not www.isearch.com... Think they're one and the same?

Here's my hijack this log. If anyone can help me out, I'm on Win2000, I've looked for the reg keys mentioned in this thread, but they are not in the registry. I've used Spybot and Adaware. I've been to the isearch.com removal link (it just says "Unable to remove")... I still have the search window coming up :(

Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 12:25:40 PM, on 4/16/2004
Platform: Windows 2000 SP4 (WinNT 5.00.2195)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINNT\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\services.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\3Com_DMI\3CDMINIC.EXE
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\DefWatch.exe
C:\WINNT\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Expertcity\GoToMyPC\g2svc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\Program Files\Expertcity\GoToMyPC\g2comm.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$NetSDK\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\Program Files\Expertcity\GoToMyPC\g2tray.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$testmsde\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$VSdotNET\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec_Client_Security\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\MSTask.exe
C:\Program Files\Speed Disk\nopdb.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\stisvc.exe
C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINNT\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINNT\system32\SxgTkBar.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Mouse\point32.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnf.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\rd_mauzy\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchURL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bgsp.edu/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINNT\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Synchronization Manager] mobsync.exe /logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SxgTkBar] SxgTkBar.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [vptray] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMANT~1\SYMANT~1\vptray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Share-to-Web Namespace Daemon] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POINTER] point32.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GoToMyPC] C:\Program Files\Expertcity\GoToMyPC\g2svc.exe -logon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SystemSearch] REGEDIT.EXE -s C:/WINNT/sys.reg
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Service Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\80\Tools\Binn\sqlmangr.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {03F998B2-0E00-11D3-A498-00104B6EB52E} - https://components.viewpoint.com/MTSInstallers/MetaStream3.cab?url=http://www.viewpoint.com/cgi-bin/vet_install_popup.pl?2&04.00.04.03&http://www.space.com/php/multimedia/zoomviewer/
O16 - DPF: {166B1BCA-3F9C-11CF-8075-444553540000} (Shockwave ActiveX Control) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/director/sw.cab
O16 - DPF: {41F17733-B041-4099-A042-B518BB6A408C} - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/20030530/qtinstall.info.apple.com/bonnie/us/win/QuickTimeInstaller.exe
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/unicode/iuctl.CAB?37900.2526041667
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E7DBFB6C-113A-47CF-B278-F5C6AF4DE1BD} - http://download.abacast.com/download/files/abasetup144.cab

Thanks!

[vacaloca]

Oh, and as a PS... I've removed the obvious i--search items listed in hijack this, but they come right back when I reboot.

[llbbl]

Did you download the latest definitions or whatever from Adaware?

[vacaloca]

Yeah, I'm up to date on the Adaware and Spybot.

[vacaloca]

i--search.com posts a link to this file
http://www.i--search.com/search_uninstall.reg
to "Reset your Search page back to MSN"

Here's the reg file... does it look legit? Think there's anything malicious in it?

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\Run]

"SystemSearch"=""
"sp"=""
"spp"=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"Search Page"="http://home.microsoft.com/access/allinone.asp"
"Search Bar"="http://search.msn.com/spbasic.htm"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL]
""="http://home.microsoft.com/access/autosearch.asp?p=%s"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search]
"SearchAssistant"="http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchasst.htm"

"CustomizeSearch"="http://ie.search.msn.com/{SUB_RFC1766}/srchasst/srchcust.htm"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{69550BE2-9A78-11d2-BA91-00600827878D}\Instance\InitPropertyBag]
"Url"=""

[mehranne]

Thanks buddy! That was very nice of you.
It helped me get rid of the @#!$ing thing!

[llbbl]

i--search is something different.. look here at whois for that website


Registration Service Provided By: NameCheap.com
Contact: support@NameCheap.com
Visit: http://www.namecheap.com/

Domain name: i--search.com

Registrant Contact:
HomePage
ASHER NAHMIAS (webmaster@zeropopup.com)
+972.52202736
Fax: none
TA-DOAR:2273
ASHDOD, IL 77122
IL


Those *.reg links on that website will edit your registry.

Here is search_install.reg I think what you quoted before was the search_uninstall.

REGEDIT4
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"Search Page"="http://www.hotsearchbox.com/search.htm"
"Search Bar"="http://www.hotsearchbox.com/search.htm"
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search]
"SearchAssistant"="http://www.hotsearchbox.com/search.htm"



Both of them ar malicious and the uninstall plainly does not remove itself from your machine. You say that you have tried deleting these registry values and restarting and it comes back?

I will have to look into how to get rid of i--search. Maybe can you go back to an older version of your registry?

[Unregistered]

Thanks Buddy- That toolbar has been driving me nuts, and like you said Ad-aware and Add-Remove programs couldn't deal with it. I googled it, and your posting was the first thing to pop up. You saved me from losing my mind.

[Unregistered]

Many thanks. Your fix got rid of that junk toolbar and my system is back to normal.

[Unregistered]

iSEARCH SUCKS
thanks for posting your uninstall link.

it was the first hit on my google search!

[net_m0nky]

Thanks,
Worked like a charm !!

[Unregistered]

Thanks, I got it too!

[jim909]

Just a thought:

As mad as I am about this – and I am – I think that considering some of the angry hyperbole about lynching everyone at “iSearch” there should be some consideration given to the idea that they may be completely innocent of any nefarious conduct - ever here of “innocent until proven guilty”?

I never tried using the bugger, but from some of the posts buried in this thread it appears that it is a “decent” add-on if you’re looking for something along those lines and are unconcerned about “spyware”. There ARE many millions of people (not me) in that category, and if iSearch is in fact responsible for having their toolbar involuntarily installed then they are idiots who have sliced their own throats. This thread - and the anger therein over said action - is not anywhere near unique. Search any of the other big tech BBs on this topic and you’ll see that people are pissed and iSearch is going to suffer.
Wasn’t that an obvious outcome?
How much time/money do they have invested in creating the software?
Maybe I have no understanding of the economics involved…
But are these people complete idiots?

I don’t know how/where the rest of you got hit with this, but it happened to me when I was trying to view some “free porn”. (Give me a break! So I like to see pictures of naked ladies once in awhile.) It is most definitely possible that someone, or a group of someones, who don’t like the idea of porn set “traps” to mess with the immoral jerks who visit such sites. And they chose iSearch as their “punishment”.
Does that sound improbable?
How about “pro-lifers” gunning down doctors?
Or maybe just a rival to iSearch killing a competitor
It’s a strange world.


Well?

Yes, I know that none of you went to a porn site.
You all got hit while trying to find the Mother Teresa internet contribution site.

Yikes I gotta duck now,
Jim909

PS:
I love playing "Devil's Advocate", especially while I'm braiding a nice piece of rope which will take a good knot. ;)

[Unregistered]

I tried the removal link above and ran whatever program they provided for it, but it failed to uninstall the isearch toolbar.....any other ideas and/or suggestions?

[Unregistered]

dont know how i got this isearch thing, but it really sucks. your link for removal worked. ahhhhhhh(that was supposed to be a sigh of relief.
thanks again

[Unregistered]

Thanks for that information on how to get rid of ISEARCG rubbish

[Unregistered]

I can't thank you enough for your info for removing the iseach toolbar from HELL...

I could not for the life of me find where it went on my HD in order to delete it..


Thanks for saving my sanity...

GS

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the tip. I have both Adware and Spybot and neither detected the isearch toolbar. Your link did remove it. Thanks!

[BadAss84]

Death to isearch !

Updated adaware today and it removed it :)

This thing was driving me crazy, good thread too, thanks to the thread starter =]

I guess 1 good thing you could say has come from iSearch, its brought a lot of new members here :D ;)

[llbbl]

I guess 1 good thing you could say has come from iSearch, its brought a lot of new members here


yea and hopefully they will stick around =)

[BadAss84]

Originally posted by TecknoGeek
yea and hopefully they will stick around =)

I'll try to, this forum seems very useful, i don't know many places like this, so i'll know where to come if i get into trouble :D

:P

[roboth]

In the hosts file ( found in c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc ) I found this:

127.0.0.0 localhost
127.0.0.1 and.doxdesk.com
127.0.0.2 auditmypc.com
127.0.0.3 boards.cexx.org
127.0.0.4 bulletproofsoft.net
127.0.0.5 camtech2000.net
127.0.0.6 cexx.org
127.0.0.7 computercops.us
127.0.0.8 ct7support.com
127.0.0.9 doxdesk.com
127.0.0.10 eblocs.com
127.0.0.11 enigmasoftwaregroup.com
127.0.0.12 forum.aumha.org
127.0.0.13 free-spyware-scan.com
127.0.0.14 free-web-browsers.com
127.0.0.15 grc.com
127.0.0.16 grisoft.com
127.0.0.17 hackfaq.org
127.0.0.18 hazeleger.net
127.0.0.19 javacoolsoftware.com
127.0.0.20 kellys-korner-xp.com
127.0.0.21 kephyr.com
127.0.0.22 lavasoft.de
127.0.0.23 lavasoftusa.com
127.0.0.24 lurkhere.com
127.0.0.25 majorgeeks.com
127.0.0.26 merijn.org
127.0.0.27 mjc1.com
127.0.0.28 moosoft.com
127.0.0.29 mvps.org
127.0.0.30 net-integration.net
127.0.0.31 noadware.net
127.0.0.32 no-spybot.com
127.0.0.33 onlinepcfix.com
127.0.0.34 pchell.com
127.0.0.35 pestpatrol.com
127.0.0.36 safer-networking.org
127.0.0.37 secure.spykiller.com
127.0.0.38 secureie.com
127.0.0.39 security.kolla.de
127.0.0.40 spybot.info
127.0.0.41 spychecker.com
127.0.0.42 spychecker.com
127.0.0.43 spycop.com
127.0.0.44 spyguard.com
127.0.0.45 spykiller.com
127.0.0.46 spyware.co.uk
127.0.0.47 spyware-cop.com
127.0.0.48 spywareinfo.com
127.0.0.49 spywarenuker.com
127.0.0.50 spywareremove.com
127.0.0.51 spywareremove.com
127.0.0.52 stopzillapro.com
127.0.0.53 sunbelt-software.com
127.0.0.54 thiefware.com
127.0.0.55 tomcoyote.org
127.0.0.56 unwantedlinks.com
127.0.0.57 webattack.com
127.0.0.58 wilders.org
127.0.0.59 www.auditmypc.com
127.0.0.60 www.bulletproofsoft.net
127.0.0.61 www.cexx.org
127.0.0.62 www.computercops.us
127.0.0.63 www.ct7support.com
127.0.0.64 www.doxdesk.com
127.0.0.65 www.eblocs.com
127.0.0.66 www.enigmasoftwaregroup.com
127.0.0.67 www.free-spyware-scan.com
127.0.0.68 www.free-web-browsers.com
127.0.0.69 www.grc.com
127.0.0.70 www.grisoft.com
127.0.0.71 www.hackfaq.org
127.0.0.72 www.hazeleger.net
127.0.0.73 www.javacoolsoftware.com
127.0.0.74 www.kellys-korner-xp.com
127.0.0.75 www.kephyr.com
127.0.0.76 www.lavasoft.de
127.0.0.77 www.lavasoftusa.com
127.0.0.78 www.lurkhere.com
127.0.0.79 www.majorgeeks.com
127.0.0.80 www.merijn.org
127.0.0.81 www.mjc1.com
127.0.0.82 www.moosoft.com
127.0.0.83 www.mvps.org
127.0.0.84 www.net-integration.net
127.0.0.85 www.noadware.net
127.0.0.86 www.no-spybot.com
127.0.0.87 www.onlinepcfix.com
127.0.0.88 www.pchell.com
127.0.0.89 www.pestpatrol.com
127.0.0.90 www.safer-networking.org
127.0.0.91 www.secureie.com
127.0.0.92 www.security.kolla.de
127.0.0.93 www.spybot.info
127.0.0.94 www.spychecker.com
127.0.0.95 www.spychecker.com
127.0.0.96 www.spycop.com
127.0.0.97 www.spyguard.com
127.0.0.98 www.spykiller.com
127.0.0.99 www.spyware.co.uk
127.0.0.100 www.spyware-cop.com
127.0.0.101 www.spywareinfo.com
127.0.0.102 www.spywarenuker.com
127.0.0.103 www.spywareremove.com
127.0.0.104 www.spywareremove.com
127.0.0.105 www.stopzillapro.com
127.0.0.106 www.sunbelt-software.com
127.0.0.107 www.thiefware.com
127.0.0.108 www.tomcoyote.org
127.0.0.109 www.unwantedlinks.com
127.0.0.110 www.webattack.com
127.0.0.111 www.wilders.org

Im not a hacker or techie and want to thank you all for your contributions to this thread. I used the tool provided at the isearch web site becouse I cant or am unexpreinced to alter the register.

I deleted all but the first and renamed it to 127.0.0.1. Is that right?

Whats the hosts file really for anyway?

Okay the thread continous here becouse of the lenght of the thread: http://forums.designtechnica.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4248

[Ioman]

roboth,

Please start a new thread with your question so people can help you more quickly. This thread is getting too long.

Thanks,
Ioman

[Unregistered]

WHAT DO I TYPE IN THE SPACES THAT ARE AFTER THE U FOR WINDOWS 98?

IT GOES LIKE THIS...

regsvr32 /u /s toolbar.dll

WHAT DO I PUT FOR THE SPACES? IT GIVES BAD COMMAND NAME OR SOMETHING.

SORRY CAPS.

[nightowl]

Originally posted by TecknoGeek
yea and hopefully they will stick around =)


Good Idea in starting a new thread, Just wanted to say thanks to you all for all this info. This message board is definately a good thing. I'm still going through some of the messages. And I will continue to post when something interests me or if I have a problem with something. So keep up the good work!

Thanks again..........Jim

[Unregistered]

Thank you so much for that link as i couldn't get it off either!!

[llbbl]

Originally posted by Ioman
roboth,

Please start a new thread with your question so people can help you more quickly. This thread is getting too long.

Thanks,
Ioman

Bah .. I want to see this thread outseat Radeon as all time contender.. Its only 4 pages long now.. I would like to see it goto at least 9 =)

[llbbl]

Ok I figured out how to get rid of I--search.. If you run Hijackthis you should see the following .. Do this to get rid of it..

close all open windows, put a checkmark next to the following, and press "Fix Checked":

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer,SearchURL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,SearchURL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = about:blank
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://www.i--search.com/ie/
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - _{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Real\Toolbar\realbar.dll__Spy botSDDisabled (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: REALBAR - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-C0FF-FD60B590A87D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Real\Toolbar\realbar.dll__Spy botSDDisabled (file missing)


Restart your computer, and post a fresh HJT log. That should fix it !!

[Unregistered]

i have the same prob. and I've been looking through all my files and on the web trying to get rid of this "tool" bar! With your link it was gone in seconds....thanks

[guru2004]

It showed up on my computer one day and couldnt uninstall it and i was in a hurry so i killed it with the taskmgr and it never came back...i dont know if it just didnt like me or it was that easy, but either way its gone from the reg and my computer. my new quest in life is finding them to sue them...thanx for the inspiration ECA :) .

just my opinion threecaster, maybe u should put the link u plag. that post off of ;) ..its the same article i read up on.

[Unregistered]

thanks so much for providing the info, man how do we take these guys down

[Unregistered]

You rock, this thing is such a piece of crap....and I ran into another one a while back, it would hijack your homepage and drag you off onto some ****e websearch page.

thanks for the help.

[ECA]

Originally posted by guru2004
It showed up on my computer one day and couldnt uninstall it and i was in a hurry so i killed it with the taskmgr and it never came back...i dont know if it just didnt like me or it was that easy, but either way its gone from the reg and my computer. my new quest in life is finding them to sue them...thanx for the inspiration ECA :) .

just my opinion threecaster, maybe u should put the link u plag. that post off of ;) ..its the same article i read up on.


If you win can I have 10%.....plzzzzz

[ECA]

1. get lawyer.
2. they need a contract, the advertisers) with the person sending the crap so they can GET there money.
3. theres a # in the prog so he can claim it when it hooks to THERE SITE.
4. Sue the Advertiser...like sueing the airline whent the tires fail(made by goodyear) for LETTING him use the prog, or NOT telling him NOT to use it.
5. Class action suit.
6. Sue for an amout equal to what HE COULD MAKE off your name... PLUS inconvienence.

[ECA]

7. Take it to COURT, DONT seatle... Make the jury understand what was done and CAN be done to THEM......

Taking the Advertisers ALSO, means you dont worry about this 1 person having money......

We are talking about LOTS of money.

[farhad]

thank you.
i hve got the same problem.

It has turned out that none of the automatic removal tools, like adaware or spybot or by manually fixing the O1 hosts file entries with Hijackthis actually removes all the bad hosts file entries that this toolbar drops.



an alternative method is to manually edit the hosts file yourself and remove the bad dropped entries from the toolbar


My website http://www.farhad-rezvani.de

[tcialek]

Thanks much. I somehow got the ISearch bar and it was pissing me off. I ran Spybot and AdAware like everyone else here and nothing happened. I was just about ready to reformat until I realized I had the ultimate research tool. I keyed in "ISearch remove" to google and this forum was first on the list. It couldn't have been easier. Thanks again.

-TCialek

[Unregistered]

doing what iSEARCH does should be ****ing illegal!!!

The internet was never designed to be full of bull**** like isearch.

Microsoft also needs to get their **** under control, so that shady ****ing *******s like isearch can' just hijack the wonderful built in reverse engineered patented piece of **** web browser that comes with Windows.

So now that I have isearch installed, and I can't even get rid of it without hacking up the registry????? Why can't microsoft have some easy way to remove unwated bull****?

I say we sue the **** out of isearch!!! Make an example of what happens when you write spyware!

[ECA]

Jump on the band wagon...
I dont believe ANYTHING should be installed on your comp, without a way to REMOVE it EASILY...One click and its gone.

Doe sthis include DX9???

[Unregistered]

I found the thread, and it was helpful. Thanks

[Unregistered]

thanks a lot. i tried everything before i got online to look for an answer.it worked perfectly

[Unregistered]

I don't like the idea of trusting ISEARCH to remove software from my computer either. Especially after they went to such great lengths to make it difficult in the first place.
Also, I hope sometime, after drinking 128 oz of fresh spring water, that I'm nearby when someboday, ANYBODY that works at ISEARCH is on fire and screaming in agony for help so that I can tell them I wouldn't waste my p*ss on them. Well that and world peace--of course.
Another alternative to remove the spyware (any spyware for that matter), for those uncomfortable with registry editing is to simply restore your computer to a point prior to the spyware installation. You can do this by:

1. clicking on the START button
2. click on ALL PROGRAMS
3. click on ACCESSORIES
4. click on System Tools
5. click on System Restore
6. follow the instructions.
7. find an ISEARCH employee and show them how much you appreciate them by locking them in a wooden crate and burying them alive. Be considerate, and bury their families with them, especially if it's close to the holidays. Nobody likes to be alone during the holidays.

Good luck people!

[Unregistered]

adaware does jack sh%^ with this bug.
you must cut and paste the unistall instructions from isearch's uninstall page. This is found in their faq section.

these guys totally such sh^&

[Unregistered]

this is the most useful foru ive ever looked at in my life. i hate that isearch toolbar. it was so BS....

whoever made that company and/or the program should go to hell...

[Unregistered]

The uninstall program didn't work. But I went to Start-Find files and searched for toolbar.dll (Win98) and simply deleted it.

[Unregistered]

Thnaks to Techno Zddict for the removal tool
RSteven144@aol.com

[Unregistered]

Dude,

Thank you, thank you and thank you. I very much appreciate the notice on how to manually remove the isearch spyware. Worked like a charm.

Thanks

[Unregistered]

I suggest everybody do what Portgordon suggested on Page 13.

Was very easy and worked like a charm. Toolbar gone, registry keys gone, no more web pages blocked.

Thx Portgordon!

[Unregistered]

thanks so much.....i needed to find out how to uninstall as well

[Unregistered]

Misssed one piece. there is a Toolbar.dll in the \windows\system32\ this is the real pain. I had to reboot to safe mode delete it and reboot. now it is gone... even after trying all above I still could not get my search button back or get control of my toolbars. That is ... untill I removed this .dll.
It is all normal again!

[Unregistered]

Click here and then download removal: Very easy after 5"
http://toolbar.isearch.com/uninstall/

[Unregistered]

i googled how to remove isearch. yours was at the top of the list. thanks for the post.

[Unregistered]

Thanks!!!!!!
I have also been trying to get ride of iSearch for a while.. and I never thought of checking online if there was anyone who knew... Thanks very much!

[Unregistered]

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Unregistered]

www.webroot.com

I don't know if someone posted this yet or not, but webroot will get rid of your adware oh so very nicely.

And thank you to the 2 guys that posted on how to get it outa your registery and the uninstaller. I am still iffy about this uninstaller bull crap, but i'll just have to deal.

[Unregistered]

You were number 1 on my google search.
Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!

[Unregistered]

Add me to the long list of tremendous thanks for helping to remove this cancer from my system!!!

[Unregistered]

Thankyou so much !!

[Unregistered]

the thread showed up.... but the reg entry didnt get rid or Isearch... I gunna try the links on the other posts

[Unregistered]

To those who are concerned that Ad-Aware isn't removing the toolbar, please make sure you are using the most current version. The build I had on my computer until tonight is no longer supported by LavaSoft and they hadn't produced an update file since May of 2003. SO, uninstall your Ad-Aware and go to http://www.lavasoft.us and get a new copy (build 181).

Once I did that, it worked perfectly and got rid of it just fine :-)

[Unregistered]

thanx bro

[Unregistered]

Hello

I just wanted to thank the person that put the information about how to unistall the isearch toolbar on the net.

[Unregistered]

i got the isearch toolbar off my computer bye downloading a free program called BHO Devil. it removed it in seconds and it took only a minute to download. i found this program by using yahoo search for bho demon...love my yahoo!!!




Originally posted by Ioman
Somehow an iSearch toolbar got installed on my system. It would not let me uninstall it and did not show up under add/remove programs. Neither spybot or adaware found it either. I was pretty upset to say the least.

After trying to call the company and getting their answering machine and searching the net, I finally found out how to uninstall this crap.

http://toolbar.isearch.com/uninstall/

I hope when someone searches google, this thread shows up.

[llbbl]

I didn't know what he was talking about... this is what I found. A wonderfully designed Frontpage site..

http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm


A Browser Helper Object, or BHO, is just a small program that runs automatically every time you start your Internet browser. Usually, a BHO is installed on your system by another software program. For example, Go!Zilla, the downloading utility, installs a BHO created by Radiate (formerly Aureate Media); this BHO tracks which advertisements you see as you surf the Web.


http://channels.lockergnome.com/windows/backissues/20040113.phtml


Die, BHO, die! A few people wrote in about the BHO (browser helper object - a bad guy like spyware).


Soooo I guess it is another name for Spyware.

[chucktennis]

I recently had iSearch.com take over as my homepage without any choice on my part. I had a sense that this was some kind of spyware with potential issues behind the scenes. I ran SpyBot and it found one issue. I ran Ad-Aware 6 and it quarantined 13 issues. Currently whenever I try to access ANY site having to do with HijackThis I an unable to get the webpate to open. When I ran HijackThis the following was shown in the first registry (?):

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE:SOFTWARE\Microsoft\InternetExpl orer\Extensions\(c95fe080-8f5d-11d2-a20b-00aa003c157a)\

Can anyone tell me what this is and should I allow HijackThis to delete it? (The first part of the line in parentheses could have been ca5fe080 by the way, rather than c95fe080. Need to run it again to check my notes.)

Thanks for any help you can offer.

[eddie112987]

thanks a lot. the same thing happened to me, and this was the first link when I googled for isearch +spyware. It locked my toolbars, deleted my msn toolbar, and made itself my homepage. How annoying! Again, thanks a lot. :D

Eddie112987

[Unregistered]

OMIGOD! I have to join in the line of people who want to thank you. That crap has been driving me nuts! And I, like everyone else, tried everything I could think of to get rid of it. If anyone finds out enough information to sue the bastards, let me know because I will, at the very least, front some money for the legal fees etc. Those bastards deserve to fry! And you, my friend, should be rewarded greatly. Thanks again!

[Nihonjin]

Thanks to this forum, hopefully my angry days are over.

Hopefully I can learn a thing or two browsing this forum.

:thumb

[Unregistered]

thanks...that stupid toolbar really got me flustered for the whole friggin day. Sue that damn f*cking company

[pmrn]

Heya...I tried deleting the ISearch toolbar both manually and with the links shown. Unfortunately, neither of them worked and I'm still stuck with this thing. HELP!

[Unregistered]

Thanks for the help on removing isearch. I accidentally loaded it and than started to get popups that non of my popup stoppers would catch.

So, thanks

[aycamacho]

Night