3 replies to this topic

[kearney]

Any Assistance with removing this Alexa Toolbar would be appreciated Kearney

[Doug]

Hi kearney,
Alexa is a Browser Helper Object that attaches itself to your IE browser. It has been known to gather information about your surfing habits and make that information available in ways that may not be in your best interests. As such, many users find it best to simply "uninstall" Alexa Toolbar.
I've cut and pasted the instructions for removal with Alexa's own "uninstall utility" which is reliable.

Since you find yourself with Alexa, you might be well advised to freshen up the rest of your security baseline at this time.

Security Baseline Basics

Always run from a "limited user account", never browse or do general work from an account that has "adminstrative privileges"

Keep your Operating System updated with the latest critical updates.
Keep your Firewall and Scan tools updated.

Use a software firewall, like Sygate, Zone Alarm, etc. (the XP native firewall is only uni-directional)
Use a Virus Scan product for real-time protection and periodic scanning.
Use Spybot Search & Destroy ver 1.4
Use Ad-Aware SE Personal ver 1.06
Consider Microsoft AntiSpyware Beta... It's a good product and free to XP users
Consider using the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool, update monthly http://www.microsoft...ve/default.mspx
Use SpywareBlaster to block a ton of known-bad internet sites
Use IE-SpyAd to block a ton of known-bad internet sites and Registry Items
Use MVPS Host File to add known-bad sites to your systems protective loop and prevent access from bad-guys.
Read up on using SpywareBlaster, IE-SpyAd, and MVPS Host File here:
http://www.spywarewa...m/uiuc/main.htm
Consider using an "alternate browser" like FireFox or Opera.... They are great and don't have the ActiveX security holes that IE has.

Here's a handy program to have onboard to clean up the junk files that always get accumulated when browsing: CleanUp 4.0
http://www.stevengould.org

Run Scan Disk maybe once every two weeks or so.
Run Defragmentor more often, maybe once a week or more if you are on your machine alot.

How to Remove Alexa Toolbar?
From: http://www.spyany.co...xa_ToolBar.html

All versions of the Alexa Toolbar have an uninstall feature. It will be located in different places, depending on which version you have installed. Follow these removal instructions to uninstall them:

To uninstall Alexa Toolbar 7 or Alexa Toolbar 6, click on the small down arrow by the Alexa logo on the toolbar and select Uninstall Alexa from the drop down menu.

To uninstall Alexa Toolbar 5, click on the round ‘?’ button on the Alexa toolbar and select Uninstall Alexa from the drop down menu.

To uninstall Alexa Toolbar 4, open the Alexa sidebar, click on Help, and select Uninstall Alexa.

Alexa Toolbars 4, 5, and 6 may also be uninstalled using your computer’s Add/Remove Programs feature. Open your Windows Start menu, go to Settings, click on Control Panel, and then double click on Add/Remove Programs. Click on Alexa and then click the remove button. The next time you open a new browser window, the toolbar should be gone.

To uninstall Alexa Toolbar 1.4.1 (the version for Netscape Navigator), click on Start > Programs > Alexa > Uninstall. Then follow the on-screen steps.

To remove the Alexa Snapshot link from your links bar, simply delete it.

[kearney]

dough, thanks for your help, I was able to get rid of Alexa, I have updated security as well. This site and forums have beeen a real eye opener. Thanks Again Kearney

[Doug]

You are very welcome Kearney, Thank you for replying with your results. By doing so, you inspire other Members and help them educate themselves by discovering what really works. Without feedback, the recommendations offered here appear "untested" no matter how expert they sound. So Thanks for the feedback. You help make TomCoyote the Great Forum that it is! Best Regards, Doug