print version

CoolWebSearch

For Information and Removal of CoolWebSearch

CoolWebSearch - Not So Cool

If you've recently been experiencing system slow downs, you've noticed an obscene amount of popups during your web browsing experience or your home page has been changed to an unwanted website such as coolwebsearch.com, the chances are pretty good that you have adware CoolWebSearch installed on your machine.

What is CoolWebSearch?

CoolWebSearch is adware that has the ability to hijack your browser and change your internet settings. Moreover, it has the power to send your private information back to its home server, leaving you vulnerable from a security standpoint. At one time, it was thought that CoolWebSearch would only work for users who browse through Internet Explorer. Recently, though, a variation of the program has been found to affect Mozilla Firefox users as  well. Unlike some of the other adware programs out there today, CoolWebSearch has some innovative features that ensure it isn't detected until it becomes a serious problem. One of the most interesting features is that it can hide itself through unlabeled ads, and by not providing data or having a EULA.

How Did I Get CoolWebSearch?

This is a hard question to answer in terms of any piece of adware, but in the case of CoolWebSearch, the most likely answer is that you got it in a driveby installation. You were simply browsing the web, and CoolWebSearch showed up on your machine. It downloaded and installed itself. You didn't know it, and there is little that you could have done to prevent the installation in the first place. Keep in mind that it doesn't matter which version of Windows you are running, CoolWebSearch can quickly become the uninvited party guest.

What Problems Might I Notice with CoolWebSearch?

If you have CoolWebSearch on your machine, you may notice several things. Obviously, you may notice that you home page has changed locations. Even if you attempt to change your home page back to its original location, it will simply end up at coolwebsearch.com again. If you have a variant of the program, it's possible that you'll notice a different home page, but it certainly won't be one you have chosen. You may notice new links on pages, or you may be redirected to advertiser sites during your web browsing experience. Other variations of the program will direct you to pay per click sites that only install more adware and malware ads on your system. Sometimes users may even notice new links (usually to porn or gambling sites) on the desktop of the computer and in the bookmarks section, as it has the ability to rewrite the bookmarks folder once it is installed. You may even notice that your security settings have been changed once CoolWebSearch makes its grand appearance on your machine. This puts you at risk for the transmission of all sorts of personal information that third parties simply don't need to get ahold of.

Who Made CoolWebSearch?

The answer to this question is extremely tough. The actual site claims it is not responsible for any of the ill effects you might notice with the program. They do run an affiliate program with paid advertising links, and their terms of service use Quebec laws. The DNS, though, lists a wholly different location - one in the British Virgin Islands. Still another location is listed for the web server itself, one in Massachusetts, but that seems to be par for the course for most adware applications. Be aware of the fact that CoolWebSearch is linked to coolwebsearch.org and webcoolsearch.com, so those are certainly places you should avoid. CoolWebSearch also has several other names including CWS, CoolSearcher, Cool Web Search, About:Blank, BootConf, MSInfo, SvcHost, DNSRelay, DataNotary, Trojan.Norio, Jetseeker, winlink, Xplugin, coolwwwsearch, Aze, Search Toolbar, Trojan.StartPage (Sunbelt), WinRes, Spyware.CHM.A, ieak6.CWS, and CoolWebSearch.info.

How Can I Get Rid of CoolWebSearch?

As with any adware, CoolWebSearch removal is as difficult as you might think. Miss just one component of the program on your machine, and it simply starts the process over again, reinstalling, and rejeopardizing your machine. One of the first things you can do is run your antispyware program. If you don't currently have an antispyware installed on your machine, get one immediately. The biggest problem with finding a good antispyware, though, is that some of them you'll see are adware programs themselves, and adding one to your machine is certain to leave you in worse shape than when you started trying to remove CoolWebSearch in the first place. Use only an antispyware program with reputable roots. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (Malwarebytes has free malware removal) is a good one for removing CoolWebSearch. Once you've got it, activate all of the security settings you can get. If you'd prefer to remove CoolWebSearch manually, there are a number of program files and registry keys you'll have to eliminate from your system. A list of all associated files follows this article. If you're not very experienced in terms of dealing with your system's registry, though, be careful. Editing your registry can cause serious damage to your machine, and it is recommended that you go through it with a professional by your side the first few times.

CoolWebSearch is certainly a hassle, and eliminating it from your system is important to increase your computer productivity time.

To manually eliminate CoolWebSearch from your machine, first delete each of the following program variants from your system:

CWS.Aboutblank

CWS.Addclass

CWS.Alfasearch

CWS.Bootconf

CWS.Cassandra

CWS.Control

CWS.Ctfmon32

CWS.Datanotary

CWS.Dnsrelay

CWS.Dreplace

CWS.Gonnasearch

CWS.Googlems

CWS.Hiddendll

CWS.Homesearch

CWS.Loadbat

CWS.Msconfd

CWS.Msconfig

CWS.Msinfo

CWS.Msoffice

CWS.Msspi

CWS.Mupdate

CWS.Oemsyspnp

CWS.Olehelp

CWS.Oslogo

CWS.Qttasks

CWS.Q-url3

CWS.Realyellowpage

CWS.Searchx

CWS.Smartfinder

CWS.Smartsearch

CWS.Sounddrv

CWS.Svchost32

CWS.Svcinit

CWS.Systeminit

CWS.Systime

CWS.Tapicfg

CWS.Therealsearch

CWS.Vrape

CWS.Xmlmimefilter

CWS.Xplugin

CWS.Xxxvideo

CWS.Yexe

CWS.Winproc32

CWS.Winres

CWS.Xmlmimefilter

CWS.Aboutblank

CWS.Systeminit

CWS.Sounddrv

CWS.Searchx

CWS.Realyellowpage

CWS.SysTime

CWS.HomeSearch

CWS.Look2Me

CWS.MSFind

CWS.Cassandra

CWS.Aff.iedll

CWS.Aff.Madfinder

CWS.Aff.Tooncomics

CWS.Aff.Winshow

From there, you'll need to take each of the following registry keys out of your system:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun"xpsystem"=
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionRun"xpsystem"=
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionExplorerBrowser Helper Objects{5321E378-FFAD-4999-8C62-03CA8155F0B3}
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWindows"run"="%Sysdir%services"

Removing CoolWebSearch Automatically/Safely

For free automatic removal we recommend using Malwarebytes Anti-Malware. This program is widely recommended by reputable third-party sites, so you can be reasonably confident of its ability to safely get rid of CoolWebSearch and any hidden Trojans. As a precaution we recommend double checking your system with Spyware Doctor. This program requires paid registration to enable deletions, however it has a money back guaranteed and is the top of the line in malware removal. It should catch malware that evades Malwarebytes and block anything that tries to reinstal itself.

Remove CoolWebSearch Now:

1. Download and install Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and Spyware Doctor  
2. Run Reimage PC Repair Online to check for malware damage and repair if required.
3. Run a scan with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
4. Remove all the detected infections (free).
5. Run a scan with Spyware Doctor
6. Remove any remaining infections
7. Reboot and rescan with Spyware Doctor. Your computer should now be clean.

Important note: If Malwarebytes is blocked by malware then run Chameleon (Start Menu → All Programs → MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware → Tools → Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Chameleon). If you need further help removing CoolWebSearch please email us at info@removeadware.com.au or call for personal assistance on toll-free number 888-655-3453, within the USA and Canada.

 to top