Help.....Internet Explorer, annoying SpyWare?!

[b_hunter]

i have a problem that i cant seem to solve. wonder if someone can help.

in Internet Explorer, under Tools...there are two new options that read:

IQ test...
Erotica...

i dont know were they came from, but i assume its from a self install program of some sort. its realy annoying because everytime i open a new window, a pop-up appears thats links to a site thats related to those two options above.

how do i get rid of something under the "Tools" options?

i've tried spybot, it detects it, but doesnt get rid of it. i've tried deleting it in safe mode and from the registry. but no luck. can someone help?

thanks

[Neo]

What do you mean by it detects it but doesnt get rid of it?

[dragonmaster]

those thing are very very annoying to un-install. If i remember correctly you can try to un-install *some* of it in the add/remove program. Other than that i would install the program ad-aware

[emailrob]

Try hijackthis (http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html) can delete any dodgy adds ins. Post the log file here if you're not sure

[gooner]

emailrob, hijackthis will not remove it, it is an app that shows the processes runniing and reg entries currentrly running. It is basiccally a proggy that when runs it is able to expose exploits that may be running at that time

[b_hunter]

What do you mean by it detects it but doesnt get rid of it?
it lists it after the "check for problems" action has been performed (well it used to, it no longer does). but when i restart computer, the problem is still there.

also, theres another one called Hotbar. even after unistall from "add/remove" its folders are there in "program files" and i cant delete them.

maybe the two are connected?

thanks for your help

[xdeity]

if its running at the time then hijackthis and some others won't get rid of it. press ctrl-alt-delete, click processes tab, find the one its running under and close it down, then run adaware or hijack this or something, that should work, worked when i got somethining similar

[emailrob]

emailrob, hijackthis will not remove it, it is an app that shows the processes runniing and reg entries currentrly running. It is basiccally a proggy that when runs it is able to expose exploits that may be running at that time
Good point, but it can help to identify the exact problems he has, which can lead to specific removal tools.

[b_hunter]

just to let you guys know, and for anyone who has this problem. i ran HijackThis and it found and got rid of the problem immediatley :D

excellent program

thanks guys.