Scum Alert: Orbitz Has Taken Over My Internet Explorer

Would anyone who cares about privacy please write to Orbitz and tell them to STOP their sleazy ad tactics. I have never visited Orbitz or used their services in any way, yet somehow they have totally hijacked my IExplorer. First, they reset my start page to their "search engine" - annoying, but no big deal since I just changed it back. Second, they dumped tons of hidden ads programs on me - more annoying, but a free download of Spybot took care of that. Third, and most enraging, they somehow changed my IE6 so that now when I type a keyword in the address bar, it uses their "search engine" instead of MSN. I put "search engine" in quotes because this is not a valid search engine, but a search engine that turns up ads and offers only. For instance, a search for "Free Republic" on their page gets the following results:

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Nice, eh? As far as I am concerned, they have stolen something from me. I used the address bar search often for a quick search - now it is useless. There may be a way to change it back, but I am not aware of it (any help here would be eternally appreciated!). This is not right at all.

I came to Free Republic because it was the only place I really know of to reach a lot of people. If anyone knows other places I can report this, please let me know.

To fix the "search from address bar":

1.  Click on the "Search" button above the address bar (this opens the "Search Companion" on the left side of the browser)
2.  Click on "Change Preferences" in the "Search Companion" window
3.  Click on "Change Internet search behavior"
4a.  If the "With Search Companion" is set, click on "With Classic Internet Search", then select the search engine you want to use.
4b.  If the "With Classic Internet Search" is set, either change the search engine or try "With Search Companion" (I will not guarantee results with the latter)

Already tried. Search companion was originally selected. Tried to set to classic with MSN with no results. I think I see the problem, but I have no idea how to correct it. Under "System Information\ System Summary\ Internet Settings\ Internet Explorer\ Cache\ List of Objects" the Loader Class now lists its CodeBase as http://www.orbitexplorer.com/OELoader.cab Can't find anywhere to set this.

Appreciate the good intentions, steveegg. Now navigating the endless maze at the Microsoft help site. Almost time to start pulling large handfuls of hair from my scalp...

You've been HIJACKED..what you need to fight this is a software program called SPYBOT.. this program seeks and destroys advertising SPYWARE programs that have infested your computer.. this program WORKS.. and it's free for the download... go HERE =
http://security.kolla.de/

To axe that "'Loader' Class", you first go through the Registry Editor and delete all keys/subkeys that point to it (search for "loader class", make sure that the subkeys point to Orbitz, then delete the main key/subkeys). Then, open \Windows\Downloaded Program Files and delete the "'Loader' Class from it. That will clear out the Loader Class and should restore the searching capabilities that you had.

Firat go this this page on my web Site: Security Downloads download and install AdAware or SpyBot-Search & Destroy I personally prefer AdAware.

This software (FREE) is designed to clean your computer of these "scumwarez" "Spywarez" and other "Malwarez" that these unscrupulous companies sneak into your computer. Like Anti-Virus, you must keep these programs updated (check once/week for updates).

Depending on the speed of your computer, size of hard Drive, surfing habits, etc, the time it will take to clean your computer will vary (1 minute to 1/2 hour).

On that same page you will find AVG anti-virus (FREE) if you don't have a new anti-virus program. This is excellent (I use it and have have NOT been infected since).

ZoneAlarm is a necessary Firewall program if you want to block worms and trojan attacks to you from the internet, in fact, it will stop your computer from infecting any others if you somehow get infected from some source. If you use all the ones I have on theis page, the only way you will get infected is by CD, or totally ignoring all the warnings these programs will give you if you end up on a nasty site.

Give it a visit, it's FREE. Security Downloads

Thanks for the input. I already have Spybot, updated and ran S&D. Didn't help. Then I found a GREAT website: http://forums.techguy.org/ These guys love to help and are quick and efficient. They pointed me to another program called HIJACK THIS that fixed all my problems. If you want to see the thread and what they advised, its at http://forums.techguy.org/t129886/s.html

Once again, I appreciate you guys trying to help out a fellow freeper.

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