Adultlinks Quickbar browser hijacker

The Adultlinks Quickbar is reportedly a browser hijacker that is capable of adding a toolbar to the browser of the Internet Explorer.

Adultlinks Quickbar targets the toolbar of the search engine that exhibits pornographic and adult material and links to websites for adults.

We recommend removal of this threat immediately.

This malware supposedly takes control of the settings of the user’s Web browser. It usually modifies the user’s search page, homepage and other default pages to lead the computer user to hijacker-owned websites. The money made by these hijackers is based on the frequency of visits made to their websites. They stand to make a profit from forcing the user in viewing their websites every time they open their browser.

The characteristics of this malware reportedly include the display of ads and the hijacking of the user’s Internet browser.

Incidentally, hijackers are specialized applications that hijack or take over the user’s browser homepage. They are among the most recognized and detested types of adware because the sites that become the user’s homepage are frequently profane and annoying. Resetting the homepage with the hijacker still in the computer system is next to impossible. In addition to this, since the hijackers are normally one of the many programs that a Trojan drops into the system, finding one in the users’ browser could mean that there are more spyware programs that are working in the background.

While a hijacking is taking place, your browser could behave normally but it could be slower. The ‘Clot Factor’ measures how much the parasite compromises the machine by its addition of registry entries, files, and directories. When more objects are placed in the computer system, manual removal becomes more error-prone and difficult.

The files for this malware are as follows:

• qabar.dll
• qcbar.dll

What’s Lurking on Your PC?

The next time you log on to your online banking Web site, take a moment to consider this: someone may be spying on you! Spyware programs take many forms including pop-up ad generators to keystroke loggers, known as “keyloggers.” Some spyware programs analyze your online searches so that they can then send you targeted advertisements while others secretly record everything that you type in hopes of discovering your financial secrets such as account numbers and passwords. Either way, eliminating and preventing spyware is essential.

How Spyware Programs Get on Your Computer

Spyware programs are installed without your knowledge, often after downloading seemingly useful programs. However, even if you do not download programs off of the Internet, spyware can infiltrate your system simply by visiting a malicious Web site! This type of invasion is known as a “driveby download.” Another way that spyware programs invade is through other spyware programs; a notorious type of spyware called a “downloading Trojan” opens a door and invites other spyware programs into your computer – all without your knowledge.

In addition to stealth infiltrations, some spyware arrives due to sheer trickery. For example, a popup window may appear on your screen telling you that your computer has a security problem and to “click here” to fix it. Don’t be fooled! If you click the popup window, even the red X for exiting, you will launch the malicious code. Instead, disconnect your computer from the Internet immediately and reboot your PC - all without clicking the popup warning in any way.

Spyware Side Effects

Not only does spyware collect personal and private information about you, it reports this information to a third party who may then distribute it elsewhere. While this is potentially disastrous to your identity and finances, it also wreaks havoc on your computer’s performance. Most computers infected with spyware have dozens of separate spyware programs running silently in the background. Imagine each of these programs taking up processor power and memory. Now imagine each of these nasty little programs using your Internet connection to upload data to a remote hacker or launch “denial of service” attacks on targeted Web sites or networks. Slow PC performance is often one of the first clues that you may have a spyware problem.

Eliminating Spyware

Eliminating spyware involves running an antispyware scan on your entire computer with a reputable computer security product. While some anti-virus programs also take care of spyware, not all do. Running plain anti-virus tools is not enough to protect your computer from these types of threats. Look for an antispyware program that is updated frequently with the latest defenses. Before you make your decision, research the company offering the product to be sure that it is reputable. Pay attention to the name of the product as many imposters name their malicious programs with names that sound remarkably similar to well known computer security products. For example, Windefender, a notorious malware program, is not the same thing as Microsoft’s Windows Defender, but their names do sound similar.

Preventing Spyware

Preventing spyware is preferable to finding it after the fact as a great deal of damage can occur between the initial infection and the scan. Look for real-time blocking and start practicing safe computing. Be careful what you download and be on the lookout for imposters.

When Annoying things happen on your PC, Its likely …

The likely suspect: Spyware
One of the first tip offs that you might have accidentally downloaded Spyware onto your computer is that it no longer functions properly. In fact, if you didn’t know better, you’d think that your computer is having a mental breakdown or going crazy. A variety of symptoms might be showing up on your computer, but most of them will have the same cause- spyware.

How do you know if your computer is infected with spyware? Quite a few symptoms usually appear suggesting this is happening. Look through the list of symptoms here and see if any of them sound familiar to you. Your computer might be showing all of these problems or it might be showing just a few. Either way, spyware is likely the problem.

Slowing PC Performance
Your computer no longer has the quickness that it once had when completing simple tasks. In fact, some of the time your computer simply freezes up and plays dead on you. This happens all of the time, most of the time, or some of the time.

Your web browser suddenly looks different. A new search bar appears or the colors are different. You might even have noticed that using your web browser takes longer to generate new pages. In fact, you’ve probably begun to experience poor search results that turn up websites that really don’t offer you the information that you’re looking to find. Worse yet, your searches for legitimate websites are suddenly being redirected to suspicious looking ones.

Popups Abound
Strange pop ups are appearing randomly on your computer whenever you connect to the Internet. These pop ups might advertise software applications or they might even suggest that your computer is infected with dozens or hundreds of spyware infections. Some of these pop ups might look legitimate, but you have your doubts anyway.

Perhaps the computer is experiencing difficulty in booting up or shutting down. It’s acting like a recalcitrant child who doesn’t want to do what she should. In fact, this crazy machine is suddenly making weird noises as it functions.

The solution
If a computer is infected with spyware, it usually has one or more of the above symptoms along with a few that haven’t been mentioned. The best strategy that you can take here is to install a reputable anti-spyware/anti-virus application and run it to remove the any spyware/Trojans/malware that has infected your computer.

What is Malware?

Almost everyone has a computer. Yet, many do not fully understand how they work or the consequences of improper usage. What’s more, they are not knowledgeable concerning threats that lurk on the Internet, malware being a crucial one.

The potential for severe computer damage

It is essential to understand what malware is, as it is a common reason for causing headache and damaging the operating system. To better understand, let’s take a look at what malware is and how it can affect your computer.

Malicious Intentions

Malware, a shorter term for malicious software, is software written specifically for malicious intent. The writer has it in mind that he wants to cause destruction for fun; hence, he writes a program to do just that. Malware can come in many forms. Some are programs that cause minor nuisances. Some can ruin your life, and others render your computer completely unusable. In the case of your computer becoming unusable, the only fix is to reformat the hard drive entirely. This means that everything will be wiped out. If you have not saved your files, they will be lost.

Malware can do all sorts of things to your computer and to you. One thing that it can do is cause programs to open by themselves when you never initiated the process. What’s more, it can cause unwanted files to be installed on your PC, namely porn.

Browser Hijacking

Something else that malware is also known to do is hijack your browser meaning that you’ll be taken to web pages at random you never intended to visit. For instance, you may be doing a search for something you are interested in: but, the results are not at all what you expect. Sometimes, some pretty offensive material can appear within search results. Your browser settings will be changed; your home page will be, as well.  when trying to set everything back to normal you’ll find that it is impossible, as all of the settings will continue to go back to the way the malware programmed it. Usually, in cases of a hijacked browser, reformatting the hard drive is the only fix.

Guard your Identity at all times on the Web

Malware can even cause your security to be compromised. Your identity could be stolen, as there are malware programs that are written to record every keystroke that you make enabling the writer of the program to have access to private information, such as social security numbers, credit cards,  and bank account information just to name a few. This is not all. They can even see every message you send in an email. They can read all of your conversations while chatting online. Basically, it is the equivalent to the secret police. You have no privacy

Slow Computer Performance

Malware has also been known to slow a computer to a craw, as well as cause it to act oddly. Random shut downs and reboots are examples of odd behavior. In order to fix these problems, the hard drive will need to be reformatted, as not much else will work.

If you are on your computer, and you notice the above mentioned, chances are you are infected. Get help right away, so you can have an enjoyable and safe computing experience.

A look at PC Tools Internet Security

Try Free Download!

Overview

Just a few short years ago, an antivirus program was all that was needed for protecting computers from vicious attacks. Those days are gone. Today, computers are under constant attack from a variety of attacks including spyware, spam, phishing scams, hackers, worms, and more. In fact, even visiting a legitimate-looking Web site can lead to a driveby download. PC Tools Internet Security is an all-in-one security solution that protects computers from viruses, spyware, hackers, spammers, hackers, and more.

Features

• Integrated user interface - PC Tools Internet Security features an integrated user interface containing all of the bundled tools for easy access and seamless integration.
• Protection from viruses and spyware - This all-in-one security solution protects you from viruses, spyware, adware, malware, root kits, Trojans, keyloggers, dialers, worms, tracking cookies, and other threats.
• Real-time protection - Active, real-time protection stops threats before they can sneak into your computer and carry out their missions.
• E-mail and Web site guards - These guards protect against threats that arrive via e-mail or on malicious Web sites.
• Anti-spam - Tired of spam? Not only is spam annoying, it can also be dangerous. PC Tools Internet Security filters out the spam and protects you from phishing scams.
• Built-in firewall - The built-in firewall allows you to control how traffic flows in and out of your computer, protecting your computer from unauthorized access.
• Automatic updates - PC Tools Internet Security automatically updates itself with the latest protections and enhancements.

Benefits

Instead of managing multiple security applications, you only need to deal with one. In fact, once installed, your job is over for the most part. PC Tools Internet Security will automatically download the latest updates and periodically scan your system according to a preset schedule. With real-time blocking and Web site guards, you can surf the Internet fully protected from viruses and malware.

How it works

PC Tools offers a free, limited functionality, trial download so that you can try before you buy. As with most security suites, a yearly subscription is required. The base subscription covers three computers with additional licenses available for five, ten, or fifteen computers.

Recommendations

With so many threats coming at your computer including viruses, spyware, driveby downloads, keyloggers, root kits, and downloading Trojans, a single antivirus program isn’t sufficient. Instead, consider an Internet security Suite such as PC Tools Internet Security. Try Free!

PCtools Products

• Spyware Doctor - A standalone spyware prevention application
• Spyware Doctor with Antivirus - This product adds anti-virus protection
• PC Tools Antivirus - A standalone program that protects against computer viruses
• PC Tools Internet Security - An entire suite of tools to protect against online threats including viruses and spyware
• Registry Mechanic - A registry cleaner for cleaning, repairing, and optimizing the computer
• Privacy Guardian - Software that clears the computer of online histories, habits, and program activities
• PC Tools Disk Suite - A suite of tools for maintaining computers including data backups, disk partitioning, disk defragging, and disk optimization. 

Feedback

Do you have experience with PCtools products? Please share your comments below … 

A look at PC Tools Spyware Doctor

Try Free Download!

Overview

PC Tools Spyware Doctor offers both a cure and preventative medicine for treating one of the Internet’s nastiest infections: spyware.

Features

PC Tools Spyware Doctor is an anti-spyware application that has a loyal following thanks to its comprehensive spyware protections including:

• Malware protections - Spyware Doctor protects against notorious spyware and malware including adware, hijackers, keyloggers, ActiveX controls, tracking cookies, Trojans, dialers, and more.
• Real-time spyware protection - All of these protections take place in real time, thus blocking malicious programs from ever landing on your computer in the first place.
• Behavior-based threat detections - Spyware Doctor monitors behaviors in search of suspicious activities that may be malware. When detected, the Spyware Doctor kicks in and blocks potentially dangers applications.
• Protection from rootkits - Rootkits are defenseless against Spyware Doctor which is capable of detecting and removing hidden files and processes.
• Automatic updates - Updates are frequent and automatic, further ensuring complete protection from the latest threats.
• Fast cleanup for sluggish, heavily infected computers - Because heavily infected computers barely run, it’s often difficult and time-consuming to remove the threats using security tools. When used in Safe Mode, Spyware Doctor uses technology that forces your computer to prioritize its resources, moving them away from other applications and to the Spyware Doctor scan engine. This allows for faster detection and removal of threats.
• Hacker defense systems - For computers running Windows Vista, the hacker defenses of Spyware Doctor have been improved to take advantage of Vista’s Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) feature.

Benefits

Spyware is getting trickier and trickier as it attempts to overcome security defenses. Prevention through real-time protection is the best medicine and Spyware Doctor actively prevents malware infections. The other features further protect PCs and clean up existing spyware infestations. By actively protecting your PC and removing threats, your personal identity is better protected from fraud and identity theft while your computer performs as it was meant to run.

How it Works

PC Tools offers a free trial version with limited functionality. The full-featured version of Spyware Doctor covers three computers and requires a yearly subscription. Additional licenses are also available for protecting even more computers.

Recommendations

If you’re in the market for a standalone anti-spyware program, try Free Download version of Spyware Doctor and give it a test drive.

If you like Spyware Doctor, you can even add optional add-ons such as virus protection, e-mail protection, and browsing protection.

PCtools Products

• Spyware Doctor - A standalone spyware prevention application
• Spyware Doctor with Antivirus - This product adds anti-virus protection
• PC Tools Antivirus - A standalone program that protects against computer viruses
• PC Tools Internet Security - An entire suite of tools to protect against online threats including viruses and spyware
• Registry Mechanic - A registry cleaner for cleaning, repairing, and optimizing the computer
• Privacy Guardian - Software that clears the computer of online histories, habits, and program activities
• PC Tools Disk Suite - A suite of tools for maintaining computers including data backups, disk partitioning, disk defragging, and disk optimization. 

Feedback

Do you have experience with PCtools products? Please share your comments below …