I Don't Get Net
I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but for the last couple of months, my web browser on my laptop was being hijacked by XML Overture's "Almighty Search Engine". Whenever I would type in a URL name and hit "Ctrl - Enter", which used to add the http://www..com to the URL and bring me to the page, I would be hijacked over to the "Almighty Search Engine". I finally got so sick to death of it, I did a little research. This issue is caused by a piece of adware called IGetNet. I found a way to manually deinstall it, and the problem is gone.
I hate spyware and adware. I believe that they violate my property rights. I never agree to have any of the things installed that pop-up on websites when you visit them (e.g., Comet Cursor or Gator). I have never installed, let alone used, programs like KaZaa. As such, I can see no legitimate way this got on my PC. I was given no warning that it would be. I was given no choice. Had I been, I would have opted out. If I visit a store to go shopping, the store-owner has no right to insert on my property something that will allow him/her to track my later movements and/or feed me ads at given moments. I do not believe that people should have the right to do that on PCs either, at least not without providing notice. I have not agreed to allow them to place their software on my property. I do hope that Congress passes a law to make this illegal. By and large, I don't want the government interfering in commerce, but this goes beyond commerce. This involves property rights. The government should be seeking to protect our property rights, not the rights of companies to violate them.
Comments
SPYBOT
How to solve the problem -- check out the following link:
http://tomcoyote.org/SPYBOT/index1.php
It will tell you that: "Spybot Search and Destroy is a Spyware Remover first. There are more features which will be covered later. This introduction will include instructions on how to install and run a Spyware Only Check and Remove what has been found."
If you read the site and decide you can trust the program, there are download links right there.
If you want more info, you can check PC Magazine's review at:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,994109,00.asp
And I left the best for last. The price is free
Posted by: Mom | December 13, 2003 11:19 PM
I have been dealing with this problem for the entire semester. Take your mom's advice. Use spybot S&D. A bit of advice when you search for updates don't use the default server (UniDo), use FXClips (the first US site) that server responds.
And I would use it in advanced rather than the simple mode. Under immunize there are a couple of features available you will want to use, youcan lock your hosts file, and lock the home page and lock the control panel from being opened from IE. These last three are holes Microsoft knows about and allegedly fixed with on of their patches.
It is a fairly decent program, and while free there is a link for donations if you feel so inclined.
If you have any questions about spybot or the hijackers you know where you can get ahold of me.
I have found that spybot is user specific, haven't found the setting to search all profiles for problems yet. Haven't run in specifically as the "administrator," that will probably do the trick.
Are you using XP home edition? If so I would log in in sfe mode so that you can see the administrative account and set the password. Then you can go about cleaning up the spyware.
Posted by: Justin | December 15, 2003 05:11 PM
I got some horrible thing called "Mywebsearch" that took over my browser and email client and that has taken me over a month to completely remove (Spybot found some of it...I banned some of its URLs through ZoneAlarm and just recently found yet another exe file hidden in an unlikely spot).
I agree...I don't recall any "click ok to download this piece of intrusive crap that will take over everything that actually functions in XP".
Posted by: Jane Finch | December 16, 2003 10:05 AM
Mywebsearch is one of the spyware hijackers. It takes advantage of the security holes in IE, all you have to do is visit the wrong web page and IE will execute code, unscrupulous advertisers use that to turn your PC into an add server. Sort of an evil Dilbert alliance between marketers and engineers.
pest patrol's description and removal instructions for mywebsearch are here:
http://www.pestpatrol.com/pestinfo/m/mywebsearch.asp
I've found adaware detects some of the programs that spybot does not, and vice versa. If lazy web designers would actually check for compatibility netscape would be a good alternative to IE. There are other browsers out there, buttend to have lower usage rates so you get less support if you have a problem with them.
And in case you missed it, XP home edition has an administrative account that you cannot see unless you start up in safe mode. It does not have a password, meaning a hacker can gain access as an administrator. You can make it more difficult for them to access your PC if you create a password.
Another thing, XP does have a restore function. When you have what you know is a clean functional set-up create a restore point. Then you have a set-up you can restore to in case you have problems. Once your machine is infected, and then cleaned or restored to a previous setting, you need to turn system restore off to clear the restore points saved (otherwise you run the risk of restoring a virus at a later date). Turning retore off clears the cache of restore points, then you can turn it back on and create a restore point.
Posted by: Justin | December 16, 2003 12:02 PM
Someone named leslie posted that he had the problem of xml.overture.com coming up when he typed in the address bar to search. I have looked under REGEDIT for the default search engine and cant find where it is. If you could tell me how to get rid of it I would appreciate it. Because it automatically installed on my computer I purposely dont use it. I would rather click my way back to yahoo.com and search than use a search engine that installed itself without my permission. So Leslie... Please tell me how you manually removed that from your computer It would be much appreciated. Wiley659@yahoo.com
Joe
Posted by: Joe | December 17, 2003 08:38 AM
Here's the way to get rid of it from the vendor... I emailed them and it worked perfectly.
-----------------------
Dear Sir/Madam:
It appears you may have visited one of our affiliates that bundles our DLL with their existing products. It could be something like My Corkboard, Screensaver etc. IGetNet does have the Un-install download directly on our website. You can go to our Home Page at www.igetnet.com. Look to the left in the very bottom of the grey area and you'll see our uninstaller. I have also included specific directions below. Please note it is imperative you follow the instructions as written, especially where it states SAVE the file on your DESKTOP, CLOSE all browsers and run the Un-Install from your desktop!
UNINSTALL PROCESS:
To uninstall our search program, download this file from our corporate site, http://www.igetnet.com/downloads/uninstall_igetnet.asp
Next right click and save the file to your desktop (desktop ONLY).
Be sure all other windows are closed when you run the file
Once you have CLOSED all other windows ........... double-click on the file.
That's it! It will be uninstalled.
You might even think the uninstall didn't work so..............
Next you should test a few of our keywords to assure the uninstall has worked
and is off of your computer:
You must launch (open) a new browser to test
1.) fertility (will link to < http://www.ivf.us/ with our program)
2.) pizza (will link to with our program)
3.) real estate agent (will link to with our program)
If you DO NOT get those URL results, you have
successfully deleted our program.
Sincerely,
IGetNet
Customer Support
949 595-8416
support@igetnet.com
Mon-Fri 8am-5pm PST
Posted by: jim | February 12, 2004 03:13 PM
Hello,
I have installed & run spyware which found things which I cleared out. I have followed the registry instructions & run the uninstall file etc but I still cannot get the stupid friggin get-net to stop reverting as my home page in IE.
Frankly Im disgusted that people are allowed to do this to your pc's without prosecution. As far as Im concerned the morons who make these crap products & push themselves on everybody else should be treated as virus bastards & sent to jail for a long period of time. These are just like the religous callers who come around pushing themselves on you. Mind your own damn business.
How would they like it if everytime they went out I came round & painted their house Baby Shit Brown???
Please I would very much like someone to help me remove this rediculous excuse for a site from by browser for good.
Regards,
Stu..
Posted by: Stu | February 22, 2004 01:59 AM
man..how to get rid of mywebsearch?? its on my com and i can't get it off...i can't log in to MSN anymore and its so crappy my WMP is kinda screwed too...someone help me?
Posted by: Gabriel | March 23, 2004 04:34 AM
Its me again...i really need some help here...Everything that is online is kinda screwed would appreciate it if someone would tell me what to do about this stupid toolbar...i'm using a $3000 dollar laptop and i don't think i'm really happy now that this Bar turned $3000 into $0...down with hackers..
Posted by: Gabriel | March 23, 2004 04:41 AM
First try downloading Spybot S&D. It's freeware, so it won't cost you anything. Once you've installed it, go to the Online tab to download any of the latest updates. Then go back to the Spybot S&D tab and run "Search & Destroy". Let it scan your machine fully. If it identifies problems, you can then instruct Spybot to fix them. The only problems I, personally, don't let Spybot fix are the DSO Exploits it discovers within the Microsoft OS. Sadly these are security holes in the OS, but I don't know how fixing them would affect the OS operation.
On top of that, I would also recommend you download and run the following freeware programs: Ad-aware and Hijack This. Ad-aware works much like Spybot, but for some reason each program will catch things the other does not. If you run Hijack This, do not check off and fix everything that the scan finds. In most cases, you will need the things the scan finds. You will have to find a forum (not here), like Computer Cops, and post a copy of the scan results. Then someone can tell you what needs to be fixed and what does not.
Posted by: Lesley | March 23, 2004 06:51 AM
And as of that last bit of advice, I am shutting down the comments on this post. That last comment is the best advice I have. I don't work in technology, and can't help beyond that. If anyone needs more assistance, they will need to find a forum with people who actually know about this stuff.
Posted by: Lesley | March 23, 2004 06:55 AM