CoolWebSearch is a particularly nasty piece of spyware
By JOHN TORRO
Published June 14, 2004
Q. I have seen many questions regarding spyware in your column. I have Windows 98 and have downloaded both Ad-aware and Spybot. They both have picked up and removed several types of spyware. But there is one that continually comes up and cannot be removed: Coolweb/Coolsearch. I check it off to be removed, and as soon as I reboot it hijacks my home page to Coolsearch. I also continue to get gambling and porn sites, which I think are connected to Coolsearch. Is Coolsearch affiliated with Ad-aware and not removing it intentionally? Dealing with this nonsense is getting annoying. Is there another spyware remover you recommend?
A. I think you are talking about CoolWebSearch or one if its variants. This is a particularly nasty piece of spyware or malware and is not easy to remove.
The usual spyware cleaners have not been able to completely eradicate this one, as you've found out. However, try the latest version of Spybot, version 3.2. This upgrade is loaded with many new features and includes real-time protection against most of the Internet garbage.
If the problem persists, go to www.computercops.biz click on Downloads, Anti-Spyware. Download and run CWShredder. ComputerCops.biz is a great site for antispyware programs and information.
Modem driver error
Q. Every time I connect to the Internet using Juno and Windows XP, I get a dialog box with this message: "Motorola SM56 modem. Unable to support country setting. Change the country to USA under Windows telephony dialing properties." It is set to United States. Why am I getting the message, and how can I get rid of it?
A. XP has replaced the SM56 Modem driver with one of its own. Update the driver with the older SM56 version.
Sign of spyware
Q. When I bring up Task Manager in Windows XP and right-click, it goes off the screen and I get nothing. When I try Ctrl-Alt-Del I get nothing. Is there another way for me to open Task Manager so I can check it?
A. A virus or some type of spyware or malware is causing this. Update and run all of your antivirus and spyware programs. If you have no spyware cleaner programs installed, download both Ad-aware (www.lavasoft.de) and Spybot (www.safer-networking.org) Follow the links for the free versions. Click the "Check for Updates" button in each application, then run them one at a time and have them fix any problems they find.
Best way to upgrade
Q. I have Windows Me and want to switch to Windows XP. Will the Windows XP Upgrade CD suffice, or do I need to do a full, clean install of XP? What are the pros and cons of each?
A. The upgrade CD will suffice. A clean install is always preferable to an upgrade, but of course a clean install will require you to reinstall all of your applications and all of your personal data, which you would need to back up beforehand.
Either way, you will need to check which applications and devices on your current system will work with XP. Go to www.windowsxp.com scroll down to the Upgrade Center and follow its "Four steps to upgrade." This will include downloading and running the Upgrade Advisor tool that will check your Windows Me system for possible upgrade issues.
- Send hardware and software questions to personaltech@sptimes.com or Personal Tech, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. Questions will be answered only in the column. John Torro is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer and Microsoft Certified Solution Developer. He has been writing for Personal Tech since 1997.
