HElp with computer

[Invader Bugs]

hi, i am having a problem with my computer that i was hoping someone could help me with. every time i turn my computer on and log on, two things are in the taskbar, a "Search Assistant" and "Quick Launch", shown here, now, i know what quick launch is but, when i right click on the taskbar, then click properties, it always says that Quick Launch is off, and although to turn them off, all i need to do is right click the taskbar, then go to toolbars and turn it off, but i really dont want to do that, id rather just have them not there at all. and with the search, if i, for example, leave the box empty and click search, it first goes here http://static.vpptechnologies.com/blazefind/landing.html?search=No+Search+Term, then the address changes to http://blazefind.com/search_results.php?l=ditto&account_id=4000&search_string=No+Search+Term, so please, can anyone help me with this problem? thanks

[DVD_Ripper]

You need to slide the quick launch bar at the ">>" over to the right to allow room for the other icons you have there.

Also, regarding the search item... you got hit with a trojan of sorts that placed that item there. Possibly run MSCONFIG and check your autostart items ... run AV software along with Spybot and Adaware to resolve that.

[thecoalman]

Your quick launch may have been hijacked by the spyware,scumware malware. Probably launching it when you log on. Is there a icon in there for something that shouldn't be. Like the site that your search bar goes to?

After you remove your spyware,malware,scumware from the left as per dvd_rippers explanation be careful what you install. When that box pop-ups asking you "do you want to install" in most cases it's junk. Take note of what it is a do a search before installing. There's only two things that I can think of off hand that I would install from that box, Windows update setup that only has to be done once or Macromedias Flash component. There's others but do a search first.

Edit:I did a search for blazefind and thier webpage states it can be removed from the add/remove programs. How relaiable that info is I don't know.

[Invader Bugs]

yea, the problem is, there is no search assistant in the add or remove programs. i dont see anything with "search" in it

[thecoalman]

Now that I have read the removal instructions from there website I'd suggest getting adaware and spybot. Both are free and should remove it with no trouble. Good chance they will find other things too.

Before running either run the auto updates on both.

Adaware: http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Run adaware first, it will find a ton of stuff, mostly cookies if you have the default settings in IE. Remove what you want, i personally always select all. Reboot then run spybot, remove anything it finds (if anything) that you don't want. Reboot then run adaware and spybot again to make sure your system is clean. If the spyware comes back after reboot which is possible do a search for it in google spyware name "manual uninstall" which should lead you to a page giving you detailed info on how to manually uninstall it.

[redwudz]

If you type 'blazefind' into Google, you should find several removal methods. Big problem is those trojans don't always come alone. You may have others lurking on your drives.

I use both Spybot S&D (Make sure you download the updates also) and my favorite, SpywareBlaster. Either one can immunize you against most future attacks.

I'm afraid these sort of trojan preventers are as much a necessity as a good antivirus program these days.