Ad-Aware: a program is outsmarting it.
 

I just reinstalled XP after a format to start fresh. I've barley got anything installed on my computer except for some music programs.
I keep on getting my homepage switched and I'm not even using my browser.
Ad-aware keeps on finding something that I havn't seen before but it keeps on coming back after I delete it.
I think this is it (taken from the quarentine folder):

COOLWEBSEARCH
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
obj[0]=RegValue : SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

Any ideas? I dont have a "main" folder either in Internet Explorer. I already checked... :rolleyes:

Might I suggest Spybot: Search and Destroy to compliment Adaware ? http://www.safer-networking.org/

Try CWSchredder.

here's a link for it:
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/CWShredder.exe

also, HiJaackThis (don't have a link, google can find it) could find it.

I've had similar problems in the past. The above programs DO work well too.

I had something like that too, it replaced google links with links to coolsearch.ws or something. AdAware got rid of it after a couple attempts though.

SpyBot kills everything spyware on my pc... i love it

its also faster than ad aware

adaware
 

adaware is another great utility

also, if you ever consider using mozilla or a varaint, id recommend using adblock...best plugin EVAR!

make sure you log into safe mode when your using your spyware removal programs. I don't know if thats even an option in XP (win2k on all my machines) but if there is a "safe mode" defently log into it for the removal process. There have been many things that will re-install after ever start up, the only way I was able to get rid of them was through the safe mode startup.

SpyBot is great. Just remember to keep updating it. I had let it go for awhile, and got infected with a little lovely called "Marsfind".

SpyBot is my friend, true, as long as you keep it updated it will catch damn near everything! The Jerry Rice of Spy software!

I also have SPYWAREBLASTER installed as well as SPYBOT ans AD-AWARE. Coolwebsearch was on the list of new items. I keep the all updated and haven't had any problems.

I go for the Trifecta: Ad-Aware + Spyware Blaster + Spybot

Spybot and Adaware will probably not do it---use the CWShredder that was mentioned above...it was designed to go after that very crap that keeps changing the home page...just had the same experience with my BL's machine..

and this is yet another reason why I love MacOS X

Spybot all they way. I have used AdAware and Spybot, I found Spybot easier to use, faster, and has more features.

Having already had AdAware, I checked out SpyBot and was impressed.

I did a scan, didn't really understand what the "results" meant, but upon clicking Fix and deleting, I felt great. :)

Thanks for sharing SpyBot, as I had not heard of it previously.