I think my IE is cursed

[Ridyah]

I don't use IE anymore, but the *second* I open it I get the same two major spyware installed - namely web rebates and megasearch toolbar. I don't have any active spyware monitoring activated in ad-aware. My friend is the same, and is even an IE-only user, but he seems to have no problems with any major spyware like that.

I think it's cursed because I go to ad-aware (with up-to-date spyware definitions) to clean it up. Then next time I open IE, immediately it gets installed again. And it's those two again, web rebates and megasearch toolbar. Have they tracked my IP or something? I have no viruses I checked with Norton.

I use Opera now but still sometimes I may need IE.

[tomster2300]

I had the web rebates myself, and I think they're caused by a trojan (if I remember correctly). Run trendmicro's housecall (google housecall -- first one) and then download spybot search and destroy and run it. Finally google each of those things and see what comes up. Usually if it's well known there will be solutions on removing them on symantec or trendmicro's websites. Good luck.

I realize housecall is not for trojans, only viruses, but sometimes it'll pick them up too. I run AVG, and although I dont like it too much, it'll sometimes catch trojans that housecall wont pickup (for some reason). Make sure you have an active firewall up like zonealarm and scan your pc with adaware, spybot, and antivirus regularly to keep those stupid things from coming back.

[Panama Red]

Have you removed them from the Add/Remove programs area? That's what I use when I find those nasties on customer computers.