MyWay Searchbar

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MyWay Searchbar's uninstaller. When the uninstall button is clicked, nothing happens.
MyWay Searchbar's uninstaller. When the uninstall button is clicked, nothing happens.

MyWay Searchbar, also known as MyWay Speedbar[1], is a spyware[1][2][3][4][5][6] and adware[1] program presented as a search toolbar that allows the user to query Google, Ask Jeeves, Yahoo!, and LookSmart search engines. HP and Dell[7][8] pre-install this software on some of their commercially sold PCs[9]. It is also bundled with some versions of Kazaa[10]. MyWay Searchbar attaches itself to the Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator browsers[11], adding search functions and pop-up blocking. MyWay also collects data about the user's surfing habits and tailors ads toward their interests[10]. MyWay is owned by IAC Search & Media (formerly Ask Jeeves) and was one of many properties purchased as a part of their acquisition of Interactive Search Holdings in 2004[12].

As a Browser Helper Object, MyWay shares the memory[13] that the browser uses and detects certain events, such as a new browser window. When a new browser window is opened, MyWay will send a configuration request that prepares ads according to visited sites. Browsing habits data are collected and sent to a central server, enabling MyWay to tailor advertisements based on the user's browsing habits[7].

IAC Search & Media's Director of Internet Security and Privacy, Kirk Lawrence, denies that the MyWay Searchbar is spyware and adware[14].

[edit] Removal

1. Enter Add/Remove Programs from the Start Menu, select "MyWay Speedbar" and click "Remove." This may run MyWay's uninstall program. If this happens, exit the program without clicking any buttons.
2. Delete "C:\Program Files\MyWay".
3. From the Start Menu, select "Run" and enter "regedit".
4. Delete the following registry values:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{0494D0D4-F8E0-41AD-92A3-14154ECE70AC} HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\{0494D0D6-F8E0-41AD-92A3-14154ECE70AC} HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\{0494D0D0-F8E0-41AD-92A3-14154ECE70AC} [10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "MyWay Searchbar", Gooroo, Inc., http://www.adwarereport.com/mt/archives/000062.html, 2004
  2. ^ "The Dell and My Way Saga", Castlecops, http://www.castlecops.com/a6162-The_Dell_and_My_Way_Saga.html, August 4 2005
  3. ^ "MyWay? Or TheirWay?", Spyware Info, http://www.spywareinfo.com/newsletter/archives/april-2003/24.php#myway, April 24, 2003>
  4. ^ "Removing MyWay Speedbar", Spy-Buster, http://www.spy-buster.com/spyware-database/MyWay%20Speedbar-spyware.htm, March 4 2007
  5. ^ "Fun Web Products "My Web Search" Removal Intructions and Help", PCHell, http://www.pchell.com/support/mywebsearch.shtml
  6. ^ "Chapter 6: TOP SPYWARE THREATS", PC Security News, http://www.pcsecuritynews.com/spyware_top_threats.html, 2003-2005
  7. ^ a b Righi, Michael, "Dell Charges $49 to Remove Their Own Spyware", http://www.michaelrighi.com/2005/07/21/dell-spyware-my-way, July 21, 2005
  8. ^ Dotson, Anthony, "Ethics and "Spyware", Sandusky Computers, http://sanduskycomputers.com/editorials/spywareethics.php, June 28, 2006
  9. ^ LS CalamityJane, "HELP! My computer is infected! What should I do?", Lavasoft Support Forums, http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/lofiversion/index.php/t3403.html, September 20, 2006, 02:57 PM
  10. ^ a b c Martin, Melissa, "MyWay Speedbar", Scumware, http://www.scumware.com/apps/scumware.php/action::view_article/article_id::1063294991/topic::Scumware,-Spyware,-Adware-&-Malware-Applications, September 11, 2003
  11. ^ "Browser Support", My Way - Browser Support, http://info.myway.com/index/id/browser.html
  12. ^ IAC Search & Media, "Ask Jeeves Closes Acquisition of Interactive Search Holdings", http://www.irconnect.com/askj/pages/news_releases.html?d=57155, May 6, 2004
  13. ^ CA Security Advisor, "Browser Helper Object", http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/glossary.aspx, 2007
  14. ^ Lawrence, Kirk, "Response to Sunbelt's Blog Posting", Anti-Spyware Blog, http://kirks-anti-spy.blogspot.com, September 13, 2005

[edit] External links

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