Esearch

[PhilTerry]

Not sure if this should be in the hate forum. PC picked up spyware called esearch and everything I have done to try to delete it has failed so far. Any suggestions?

The pop-up actually has a link to down-load removal software for $29.99 from the people who set up the spyware - cheeky b@st@rds - if it means buying a $100 package from somewhere else I will!

[davidwiz]

There is a lot of free spyware removal software available - have a look at http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/ Some good programs are Lavasoft's Ad-Aware, Spyware Doctor, SpyHunter, etc. You usually have to run 2 or 3 different ones, as any one program usually doesn't pick up all spyware.

[j2fast]

Another good one is Spybot, http://security.kolla.de/ I've used it for a couple of years or so. I've also used/liked Adware that David mentioned above. Also I actually like the anti-spyware software that Microsoft is distributing. I've installed in on a few computers belonging to friends/relatives without any problems.

All of these are free and I believe that all all the ones david mentioned are free as well (or at least inexpensive).

[1911user]

The best thing I've done to stop spyware is very simple and uses the hosts file. Essentially, it keeps known adware IP addresses from being accessed. Spybot or AdAware (I use both) will probably get rid of Esearch. Go to this link for more info:

http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

I haven't picked up any spyware in the last few months. Before that I was cleaning 2-3 a day mainly using spybot. Good luck.