[Cyber Liberty]

What's a "Hotbar"? Is it a "feature" added to you IE bars?

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

adaware or spybot?

[big bad easter bunny]

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.

[Kokojmudd]

try running adaware in safe mode

[PilloryHillary]

Download Adaware, make sure the definitions are current and run. Should take care of it.

[FatherofFive]

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.

[tfecw]

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)

[Grendel9]

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.

[elli1]

Found this:

http://www.pchell.com/support/hotbar.shtml

[Cultural Jihad]

Run a googly search on "remove hotbar" and pick an article. Here's some:

http://www.pchell.com/support/hotbar.shtml

Nortons has a removal tool:
http://sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.hotbar.html

[Mad Mammoth]

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

[elli1]

More removal help here:

http://sarc.com/avcenter/venc/data/adware.hotbar.html

[wouldntbprudent]

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 . . .

[holymoly]

I know Laura advertises some kind of spyware blocker, but I have no clue about any of this.

If you must use Internet Explorer, I suggest you install Spybot - Search and Destroy, and use it's full-time protection.

You may want to read this first:
Using Spybot - Search and Destroy

[todd1]

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..

[dakine]

On/Off button...

[Rightly Biased]

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.

[capt. norm]

I got rid of it from my machine by downloading "Hijack This" (free) and following the directions.You're lloking for what the registry calls a BHO (browser helper object.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

Go to www.lavasoftusa.com

Download Ad-aware Personal Edition (AdAware SE is also what it is called)

Install and update, then run. This should get rid of your toolbar problem.

If this seems complicated to you

DO NOT MESS WITH THE REGISTRY

Also, do not reformat, reinstall, or any of the other drastic actions suggested. Freepmail me for help if AdAware does not take care of it and I will help you rid your system of this junk without harming your system.

[holymoly]

Before I forget: No single ant-adware/spyware/malware program will get everything. That's why it's often recommended you download Ad-Aware SE (free) from Lavasoft USA and Spybot - Search and Destroy (also free). Scan with one, then the other.