spyware / malware problem

[High_Jumbllama]

Check the "Downloaded Program Files" directory inside your windows or winnt directory. Delete anthing there except for maybe flash or things you know what they are. If that doesn't work, delete everything in there. That's a favorite hiding spot for these things.

[windigo]

you might try looking for mybar.dll or in the registry for MasterParadise this is trojan and installs itself in several places in case you uninstall mybar search tool. Norton finds it sometimes Kapersky to but not always and maynot be able to delete log in safe mode Administrator to do this search. Hope this helps

[UtwigMU]

Also compare time to reinstall Windows/reimage a drive to fix problems.

Sometimes a reformat may take less time.

[schmosef]

Well...

I've been too busy with programming work to look into this until today. I think the delay was a bit of a blessing because, unlike before, a google search provided plenty of hits of people complaining about this specific problem. Not many people had solutions though. After reading what must have been dozens of threads of people painstakingly going through all the motions to identify and eliminate this hijack, I found the solution.

There's a new program called "AdwareAway" and it has a specific remover for the hijack in question. Man was I happy.

He had a ton of viruses (trojans, backdoor worms, etc.) that I removed for him too.

I'm glad I could help this guy. He was my English teacher in grades 10 and 12 and I learned a lot from him. I ran into him recently at Hillcrest mall and gave him my card. I'm glad he thought to call me when he had this problem and I'm glad I was able to resolve it, with everyone's help here too.

Thank you very much everybody for all your advice and suggestions. I've learned a lot about malware through this process.