Parasite: MySearch

This record last updated Tue Sep 20 2005 00:34:15

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Description

An IE toolbar providing search features, and a homepage-/search-hijacker, targeted at the sites run by MyWay. (The same people as iWon.com, writers of the Aornum parasite.)

Variants

MySearch/MySearch was the first variant, targeted at mysearch.com.

MySearch/MyWay uses different filenames and is targeted at myway.com itself.

MySearch/MyWeb is a new variant targeted at mywebsearch.com.

Also known as

MyWay Speed Bar.

Distribution

The MySearch and MyWay variants have been bundled with Grokster, Morpheus, WeatherBug, and software from mgshareware.com. MySearch has also been installed by the FavoriteMan parasite.

The MyWeb variant is bundled with software (Popswatter, SmileyCentral, My Mail Stamp) from “Fun Web Products” (also the same people as MyWay).

MySearch/MyWay is pre-installed on some new Dell computers from November 2004.

What it does

Advertising

No. (The search results may contain advertising, but the toolbar itself does not generate any.)

Privacy violation

No.

Security issues

Usually, no. There is an update feature, but it prompts you before running code.

In some versions of the MyWeb variant, yes: it is installed by an ActiveX downloader control which stays around leaving a backdoor for future installation. In newer versions, this control does not remain.

Stability problems

None known.

Removal

Open ‘Add/Remove Programs’ in the Control Panel. Select the ‘My Search Bar’ (MySearch variant), ‘MyWay Speed Bar’ (MyWay) or ‘My Web Search Bar’ (MyWeb) entry and click ‘Remove’. For the MyWeb variant, be sure to also remove ‘Fun Web Products Easy Installer’.

You can then reset your home page (Internet Options->General->Start Page) if it has been changed, and search settings (Internet Options->Programs->Reset web settings).

Links

MyWay site

* Parasite information and detection script by Andrew Clover - www.doxdesk.com, used with permission.

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