How di I really remove Istart.websearches ? (Windows 7)

[Admiral Awesome]

I just got this cr-p on my PC. Yes, I have removed the related software using Revo Uninstaller (like the Cleanup Woman it really cleans up) and followed several guides on the net purporting to remove the thing - no go.

The problem is, this is a PC where I don't have administrative privileges and so cannot install any malware- and/or adware remover. Else I'd run, say, MalwareBytes and be rid of it.

It appears I cleaned out Chrome, so that's OK. IE is another story. I just can't get rid of it there.

Any I deas what I might do? (Remember: no Admin privileges).

 

[Shimshom]

Hi and welcome to 7F. Is there more than 1 account on the computer or just one standard user account. Is there an admin account also but you don't know the password?

 

[Admiral Awesome]

Hi and welcome to 7F. Is there more than 1 account on the computer or just one standard user account. Is there an admin account also but you don't know the password?

Thank you Shimsom. I work for the municipality here, it's their PC and it's on the municipality intranet.

Thus, I am the only user and would have to have the SysAdmin come and work his magic - i.e. get root access.

I'd like to fix this on my own, though, if at all possible.

 

[indianacarnie]

Welcome to the forums Admiral Awesome!

You could try running ESET's online scanner, its very good at what it does. Reading their FAQ, it seems like a way to accomplish what you need. I'll link to their FAQ page, theres a link there for their on-line scanner also. See # 4 especially. Hope this helps. Online scanner FAQ - ESET Knowledgebase

Have you tried resetting IE?

 

[Admiral Awesome]

Welcome to the forums Admiral Awesome!

You could try running ESET's online scanner, its very good at what it does. Reading their FAQ, it seems like a way to accomplish what you need. I'll link to their FAQ page, theres a link there for their on-line scanner also. See # 4 especially. Hope this helps. Online scanner FAQ - ESET Knowledgebase

Have you tried resetting IE?

Thanks indianacarnie. I tried most everything before I posted. I googled 'online adware malware scanner no installation' but all the sites I tried that advertised 'online scanner' wanted to install something. ESET would have been OK but they say: 'Cannot get update. Is Proxy configured?'

This surprised me somewhat as I d/l torrents and whatnot no problem. Anyway, proxy config is admin business so it's back to square one.

How do I reset IE?

 

[indianacarnie]

Open IE > click on the Gear Icon in upper right corner > click on Internet Options > choose Advanced then click the Reset button. In the box that comes up (reset internet explorer settings) choose "Delete Personal Settings" > click Reset. When its done, click close and then restart IE.

 

[Admiral Awesome]

Right, I'd do that only I left work 45 mins ago (I'm on GMT+1) but will do it first thing Monday. Thx for the instrux.

 

[Jacee]

You can also follow this guide to manually remove it from IE
How to remove Adware from Internet Explorer

 

[Admiral Awesome]

You can also follow this guide to manually remove it from IE
How to remove Adware from Internet Explorer

Thank you. I'll try it Monday.

 

[cottonball]

Admiral Awesome,

If nothing else works, HitmanPro.Kickstart removes the Istart.websearches...

If there is another computer available with Admin rights, you may want to try the following:

In your case (no Admin rights), create a CD with the Sidekick image.
Download and instruction manual: HitmanPro.Kickstart - Anti ransomware, politievirus, bundestrojaner, Reveton, BKA, GVU - SurfRight
ISO located in the grey area on the right, under: Sidekick CD/DVD

Also, create the USB pen drive with HitmanPro.Kickstart

Insert the CD/DVD and the USB pen drive into the infected computer.

Boot from the >>CD/DVD<< on the infected machine. The HitmanPro software starts from the pen drive by the Kickstart bootloader.


.

 

[Admiral Awesome]

Okay, thanks cottonball. I really had no idea it could get this involved, gah...anyway, I'll report back on the issue on Monday, to the enlightenment of fellow 7F users.
Sure I'll click the scale - for you as well as the other members who have been kind enough to reply to my OP with suggested solutions.

 

[cottonball]

Admiral Awesome,

As mentioned before, if nothing else works...

Just trying to cover another option.

 

[Admiral Awesome]

Sure. We'll see tomorrow. One thing I will not do, and that's quit before I wipe it out. The nerve of people who code and disseminate stuff like this, wasting time for all involved. All this in order for someone to get rich off the tools who actually fall for their cr-p and order something or even visit their site...(click-counter)

 

[cottonball]

You are correct...nobody in their right mind comes up with this stuff!

 

[Admiral Awesome]

I have now acted on all above suggestions in turn and, sad to say, IE is still infected. I'll just bide my time 'til a colleague with admin privileges shows up and ask her to do me the favor.

I'll report back when that's happened.

 

[RoasterMen]

The installer of the said website is also fake. You cannot remove it.

 

[Admiral Awesome]

The installer of the said website is also fake. You cannot remove it.

Come again? the said website? What website is that?

 

[cottonball]

HitmanPro did not clean anything???

 

[Admiral Awesome]

Not a thing. I am about to talk with the colleague with the admin priviledges. I need to install e.g. Malwarebytes. I'll report back when I do.

 

[Admiral Awesome]

Well, I guess it could be said I took the easy way out this time. Since the PC in question is after all owned by the municipality I just made a helpdesk case of it and played dumb.
It was a little bit too easy in fact. Playing dumb, I mean.