Hi I`m having problems removing istbar/xxxtoolbar software already tried ad aware and add/remove icon any suggestions please

?? I'm also having a hard time removing XXXToolbar from my computer. I tried Spybot S&D without any luck. I took out folders and files but still can't take it out of the Add/Remove sections either. Anyone out there have any other ideas possibly?

Better late, than never.

I found very good information, including step by step instructions for manual removal, here: http://www.doxdesk.com/parasite/ISTbar.html

NOTE OF CAUTION: These instructions require you to edit the Registry.  If you are unsure how to do this, GET HELP.  If you can't get someone else to edit your registry, make a back-up of your Registry and save it to your desktop.  If you make a mistake, you can restore the original Registry.

If you're not sure how to make a back-up of your Registry, I'd need to know which Operating System (O/S) you are running - Win98, WinME, WinXP, etc. - to give you the correct instructions for your O/S.  You can also click the Help button, from within the Registry editor, and get the instructions there.

To access your Registry:
Click on Start > Run...
Type in regedit
Click on OK

From there, you can follow the instructions given at Dox Desk's website.


I also found more information, for removing istbar, at this link: http://www.spywareinfo.com/newsletter/archives/june-2003/10.php

The download for the removal tool is at the bottom of the article.  There is also an article, halfway down the home page, about istbar: http://www.spywareinfo.com/

Feel free to post back if you have additional questions.

I highly recommend you download and install any number of freeware programs that will kill cookies, pop-ups/pop-unders, prevent browser hijacking... post back, or email me, for the links to the ones I've been using for several years.

Istbar refers to a list of categories:
Hijacker, Adware, Browser Helper Object, Downloader, Toolbar. Click the link to remove Istbar manually:
ISTBar removal (http://www.spyware-removal-guideline.com/istbar-removal)

Hi,
Before you attempt the "manual removal", try the following free programs, and run them as suggested below. You do need these to keep stuff like this out of the computer.

If you think you already have Spyware/Advertising Ware in your computer, run these as follows:

http://www.security-related.com/download2.htm
Download: SpyBot Search & Destroy; 1.3
(If you use the Spyware Blaster free program, then don't set SpyBot to the Immunization feature)

AdAware at:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com
Download: AdAware_SE V 1.06

CWShredder at:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html
(CWShredder is intended only for removal of CoolWebSearch files; placed as spyware on the harddrive). It is not a "stand alone" scan, but needs to be run. Download the free version by clicking on "Download stand alone version of CW Shredder".

All 3 of the above programs run better and much faster when run in SafeMode.

To get into SafeMode:
Re-boot the computer, and immediately after starting up, Press and hold down, F8, at top of keypad.
When the options show on the screen, use the up and down arrow keys on the keyboard to select
"Safe Mode".
Press Enter

It's best to run the AdAware scan first; 3 times; then re-boot.
Then, run the AdAware scan again 3 times; then run the SpyBot. Then, run CWShredder.
Re- Boot.
Reason for running so many times:
Some of these trojans' files can be deleted the first time; leaving some others; but on re-boot, they re-write the files that were deleted.
Running multiple times deletes most of it the first
Time.

If you wish to have a great program, after you clean out Spyware/Advertising Ware:
This program stops this stuff from getting into the computer in the first place, by placing URL's in the browser, stopping them instantly. Best free program anyone can download!

SpyWare Blaster 3.3

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Best wishes,
fredg