Found by AdAware

[mike12]

I just ran Ad-Aware 6.0 and it found 20 Files that were identified as "Cookies" I know I can safely delete these files, but it also found some "Registry keys identified" and also some "Registry values identified" These items were identified as HUNTBAR, POSSIBLE BROWSER HIJACK ATTEMPT, and CARPEDIEM. I also chose to delete these items, but my question is "How can you be sure if you should delete all items that Ad-Aware found" or is it safe to always delete them ? Thanks in advance.

[icallmedan]

I wouldn't say it is always safe as twice (out of hundreds of scans) something went wrong with ad aware, and I had to completely reinstall because my Internet Explorer wouldn't work. I would just say delete them, because the chances of that are really unlikely (that you would need to reinstall the OS). Just make sure that before you scan you check for new updates.

[not important]

I delete everything it finds. No problems, so far.

[Redo40]

I feel safe deleting all that Ad-aware finds, but if you do delete something needed, the program does a backup that you can restore.

[enhanced08]

i also delete everything it finds with no problems so far

[jimmyrules712]

even if u couldnt restore the back up, u wouldnt need to reinstall XP, just run xp cd and do repair

[completeandutterNEWB]

i recently ran adaware (yesterday in fact) and it found 169 ad stuff but when i reviewed them (quick scan of the titles) i noticed that one of them was a file that was needed so i chose not to delete it and now internet explorer still works and NO ADS!

my advice is dont delete anything that says the vendor is Windows

[scott_d]

I had a computer on my bench the other day that set a new shop record.
1214 spyware components found by ad-aware.
I deleted them all, and lemmie tell ya, the thing runs wayyyyyyy better now!!!
We always delete them all and we have never run into any problems.

[Kov-Ice]

Is the same true for Spybot? It's listing about 10 items that are Microsoft registry entries. Banish all safely?