Alexa spy found

[snowman]

* * * * * *I've just installed and ran the latest version of ad-aware an it un-covered alexa in internet explorer.....alexa comes bundled with IE....

* * * * *can anyone please advise me if deleting alexa in IE will disable IE..? * * *I embrassing admit that I don't know how to make a back-up .....have never needed to prior to this.

* * * * all advice much appreciated.....thank you.

[monarols]

Removing the Alexa key will not impair the performance of IE, but the key will very likely reappear if you do a reboot. If you have the time, download a couple more free programs SSD www.spybot.com and Whos watching me www.trapware.com (generous trial period) and run them also.You may be surprised to find out what they pick up. I have all 3 and run them weekly :-)

[snowman]

* * * *Monarols

* * * I am most grateful for your reply.......this alexa thing rather upset me......I've always known it was there...but now its staring me in the face.....

* * * I briefly installed spybot......but was able to get a good understanding of how it works.......so many files showed that I would have lost half my os......this isn't a bug with the spybot program....I have tons of MS features/programs un-installed but abled to be re-installed when I decide.............this causes me something of a problem when editing the registry....but I am use to it.......but with spybot....not so......so I used caution......an didn't used spybot.


* * *will take a look at the other program you mention...thanks.

* * * so alexa will just re=appear huh.....in that case it would be a waste of time deleting in......the complete file name shows.....wonder if deleting the file would prevent it from re-installing ?

[MickeyTheMan]

Snowman, that alexa key in itself is harmless. *Just repairing IE would reinstall it anyway. *It is of no consequence unless you downloaded Alexa itself which i know you won't ! :)

[snowman]

* * * *MICKEY THE MAN !!!

* * * *hey old buddy...long time.....hope all is going great with you.......


* * * Mickey I just could not control myself...that snake alexa staring at me was just more than I would tolarate......I tryed and tryed to make a back up without any success.....so said the heck with this.....an just deleted alexa............just now re-connected....so far IE is working ok......had did a re-boot......an so far the alexa key...file..etc has not re-installed itself.......but yes I agree with you that sooner or later *IT WILLLLLL BEEEE BACKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!

* * * *if I re-call.....its that "custom" feature in IE.......do you think??

* * * but for this brief moment in time I am enjoying great satisfaction from kicking that slimmy spy in it's....somewhere over the rainbow..........


* *oh Mickey ever hear of <mohawk.ca>


* * by the way Mickey.....would you care to guess if I may experience problems with IE because of deletin alexa.............netscape (un-installed) is on my computer if I need a back-up....then I can either re-install IE or another browser.......whatca think

* * *darn.....<mohawk> is pounding on my back door....re-booted but its finding me even though my address is changed...........thats why I asked

[Marsman]

Snowman,

Where have you been hiding out these days? *???

Regarding (MS)Alexa, I’ve deleted this several times & I’ve never had any IE 6.0.2600 issues. * Yes, like others out there I can confirm it seems to reappear. *I’ve never repaired IE but I read somewhere in another thread that Windows Update has a hand in reinstalling it. *Since I do frequent Win update hence the MS related Alexa reinstall. *I also noticed in Ad-aware 5.71 Referencefile 103-07.04.2002 that Alexa, Typelib & Lop were automatically placed in my Ignorelist. * *
* *
I also would recommend checking out Spybot – S&D again when you have some time on your hands. *Big improvements with each beta update release, latest version is 0.95B8.

Best regards,
Mars Man *8)

[snowman]

* * *Mars Man........GREAT TO SEE YA!! * *

* * * * its been a good day for seeing old friends showing up here.......have missed many of you.......but such is the way it is... for reasons I best not touch on.

* * * hey, thanks for the reply.....yup I expect alexa to eventually return....but so far after three re-boots it hasn't.

* * * *these days I stay completely away from windows update.......got burnt the last time I used it an had to re-format to get the trash off........got rid of all M$ service pacs.....an have since only installed absolutely critical updates......I am not fully patched....what patches I can obtain at the M$ library I will install......but will stay away from windows update if at all possible..... no, I definitely would not suggest that anyone else live this dangerously * LOL........

* * * * sure hope to see you here again real soon.....my very best regards....

[FanJ]

Hi Snowman,

You can read more about the back-up feature here:

AdAware > Help > Content > Introduction > Getting started

If you have more questions about how to make a back-up, please ask!

[MickeyTheMan]

-{ Quote: "
by the way Mickey.....would you care to guess if I may experience problems with IE because of deletin alexa.............netscape (un-installed) is on my computer if I need a back-up....then I can either re-install IE or another browser.......whatca think" }-


snowman is about to become snowflake pretty soon | ;)

In answer to your question, you can operate IE safely (and i use the term loosely...hehehe )*with or without that key which only gets invoked in the presence of the alexa program !
But as i mentioned, update/repair IE and that key will reappear !

Enjoy the next few days while you still can my melting friend , soon to become waterman! :D

[snowman]

* * * * * * *Mickey


* * * * * * *LOL.......snowflake!! *LOL......could by chance you be referring to the un-patched broswer.....an if so I must and do agree........

* * * * * * patches should be applied....its good practice and good *sense.............the last of which I have very little of......I would be the first person to encourage a person to apply patches at the earliest time.

* * * * * my case and my reasons for not applieing all available patches would not fit the average user...

* * * * * unfortunately I had a bad experience after applieing a patch........an major os problems..... this was a rare incident....an may never happen again

* * * * * ok Mickey....I've now payed for all my sins *LOL
an I betcha that you knew very well that I would.

* * * * * * * * * * * seeya ..an have a good one

[Detox]

Thought I'd toss in my little "Alexa" experience though it may be more or less inconsequential. I removed the Alexa key with Ad-Aware long ago and it never came back with re-boots or anything like that, but the other day I installed MSN messenger and thought maybe I should run Ad-Aware afterwards. Ta-da.. there was Alexa again.