Posted on 02/16/2005 7:03:21 AM PST by wouldntbprudent
Sorry for the vanity, but my head is about to explode trying to figure out how to get rid of hotbar, which mysteriously appeared on my computer.
I know I can trust you guys for the real story on what to do.
I know Laura advertises some kind of spyware blocker, but I have no clue about any of this. Any help (here or pm me) would be GREATLY appreciated.
What's a "Hotbar"? Is it a "feature" added to you IE bars?
adaware or spybot?
Programs>accesories>system tools> system restore....restore to a time that you know your bar did not exist. This is for XP, it is diferent for 98.
it's an IE spware add on
try running adaware in safe mode
Download Adaware, make sure the definitions are current and run. Should take care of it.
Back up all your files, and do a clean install of XP. Add a second hard drive for backup.
You will save time in the long run, and your computer will run faster.
i think hotbar can be removed from the add/remove programs menu
basically anything you don't recognize you can toss. Well scratch that. Anythign that you didn't install search for on the internet. You definatly don't want to toss drivers or windows files with "unfriendly" names.
also, if you remove spyware from the add/remove programs menu and your web browser pops up and asks you to provide a reason or something stupid like that, just close it. Filling those out is a good way to get spyware right abck up on your computer..
Once you get it sorted out protect yourself!Firefox is an easy way to protect yourself (for right now)
Go to START
Cliick on SEARCH, then "Files or Folders"
Type in HOTBAR and "Search now" then wait.
If HOTBAR files are found, take note of where
they are.
Depending on the file, you will either have
to delete through PROGRAM search or "Add/Remove Program"
under "Control Panel"
Good Luck.
Gotcha. That's what I thought. The system restore will work (I've used it to clear the same kind of crap out). Seems to me there is a place in IE where you can get a list of the plug-ins you have, and it can be cleared from there as well.
Found this:
http://www.pchell.com/support/hotbar.shtml
http://www.pchell.com/support/hotbar.shtml
Nortons has a removal tool:
http://sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.hotbar.html
Here's a description of the pest:
http://www.personalfirewall.trustix.com/spyware/hotbar.html
No directions on removal, but Howard University has an interesting page with some suggestions (take them with a grain of salt, one of them suggests using the Uninstall function from Hotbar.com itself, LOL):
http://www.howard.edu/technology/hotbar/#RemoveHotbar
Hope this helps!
Regards,
MM
More removal help here:
http://sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.hotbar.html
Thanks to all for your help. Keep it coming, if there's more that's helpful.
How did this even get on my computer in the first place?
Okay, I will try your suggestions (even though I'm pretty ignorant as to what you're talking about!). But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express one time. lol
Oh, lordy, this sounds complicated . . .
Uninstall it and then download a free program called Ad-aware off of the lavasoft website... use Ad-aware to clean your pc of all sorts of spyware etc..
On/Off button...
Its bad It took me a day to get it off of a friends pc good luck
MajorGeeks may have some help on thier website.
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