Strange search bar appearing when browsing internet?

[prajeethpj1]

Hi Smurof - disable your chrome extension called "speedbit search project" and your problem will be solved. I had the same and it is fixed now. Enjoy ur day. Cheers - PJ

 

[MeMikey]

My own solution to this "strange search bar" spyware craziness

After much research (I use IE8 and Firefox), I found the problem completely outside the browser apps. The offending company, SimplyGen (based in Israel), injects this virus/spyware application into your programs folder, usually un-noticed by the user, via bundled applications. In my case, it was from cNet downloads, through an application called Free Sound Recorder (version 8.x).

In my IE8 browser, the unwanted application showed up as AutocompletePro.dll in the add-ons tool area. But to completely uninstall it, I simply used Windows Remove Program app to remove AutocompletePro, which was in the x86 folder.

This sneaky, malwarious SimplyGen company in Israel goes under many aliases, one being Widdit and another being Predictad. Oh, and their "partner in crime" to install AutocompletePro via the Free Sound Recorder app is called CoolMedia. All of these may be looked up adding a .com suffix. Hope this helps some people. Shalom! (I, guess.)

 

[karlsnooks]

Just saw this thread and immediately from the very first post my guess was a virus.

Quite often viruses do not travel alone.

Your safest approach at this time is to use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper. You put the sweeper onto a usb, boot to the usb. The sweeper then runs in a ram disk and win 7 is never started. This avoids any rootkit viruses which have embedded themselves early in the bootup.

I strongly recommend runnng the sweeper.

After the sweeper runs, attach the log files mentioned below and also tell us what anti-virus software you are presently using.

PUT SYSTEM SWEEPER ON A USB STICK
System Sweeper, https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper, allows you to start an infected PC and perform an offline scan to identify and remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware. System Sweeper is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.

NOTE: A fine tutorial on the System Sweeper is:
How to use the Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper

Download System Sweeper (about 576 kB):
https://connect.microsoft.com/systemsweeper

Insert 256 MB or larger USB stick into a usb port.

Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe

Choose the option to install to USB.
Caution: The install program will format the usb stick.

The install program will download about 200 mB more.

After the install is finished, leave the stick in the usb slot.

Run the program you downloaded once again.

This 2nd run, and any subsequent runs, will download the very latest anti-virus definitions (about 60 mB).

To keep System Sweeper up-to-date, simply reinsert the usb stick and run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.

The initial, full scan by System Sweeper can easily take several hours, but subsequent quick scans will be shorter.

Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.

The results of System Sweeper will be in:
\Windows\Standalone System Sweeper\Support as one or more files with a LOG extension which can be viewed with Notepad.

 

[KillAllViruses]

These things do not simply show up under browser extensions or addons. They are hidden and invisible and rarely disappear via malware scans etc. I have resorted to contacting the companies directly with extremely unpleasant vernacular to encourage them to tell me directly how to disable their malware. In my experience they usually get back to you very quickly. If you hint that you intend to make life very difficult for them unless they comply, they will usually do what you want. This is the kind of email I send: (this was to: [email protected]).
I urge everyone who encounters these kind of things, even if you manage to uninstall.disable.remove it yourself, to still send these kind of angry/threatening mail, just to upset them and make them less powerful because they can see people are serious about being mad at them and taking steps to get back at them.


Dear Sir/Madam

Since recently browsing the internet your malicious addon/popups have started appearing during web searches and so forth. This has malicioulsy infected my computer with no desire from me to install this malicious and incredibly irritating malware. I can find no way whatsoever to remove or disable this ware.
It has made me incredibly unhappy with your organisation and irritated that you manage to infiltrate and infect people's computers.

Please advise how I can easily and permanently disable or remove all references to your ware from my computer. Otherwise I will have to take official steps to see why your ware has infiltrated my system so maliciously and this can only be unfortunate for you. I think you will agree to quickly advise me on how to disable your ware completely from my system.

I hope to hear from you soon about how I can easily and permanantly disable your malware from my system.

Thankyou

Yours Faithfully
Liam McMahon

 

[WidditSupport]

Hi there,
We’re sorry to hear you’re not satisfied with the experience we provide and would like to help you if possible. We would like you to know we work very hard in order to make sure we create the best service possible, and that no misuse of our services and technology has been done.
Our applications are in no way harmful and we follow a very strict and user-facing privacy policy on our site. The service itself is ad-free and focuses on features that empower users’ search and enhance the experience.
If you're still looking to disable the service, we’ve made it easy with detailed instructions on our support page at: http://widdit.com/howtoremove.aspx
Best regards,
Widdit Support Team

 

[boohbah]

welcome to sevenforums widditsupport,
good helpful post, nice to see a company taking the bull by the horns.