Am I wrong to be suspicious of this little blighter? Whenever something slows down, a ctl-alt-del brings up at least one and sometimes two instances of this file running in the background. End Task gets rid of it temporarily, but it always finds its way back. I run Spybot and Adaware regularly, and while they always find something, I haven't seen the name WebRebates among the suspect files deleted. I use ZoneAlarm, in which I have WebRebates0.exe disallowed on all counts, and a fully updated anti-virus program.
A search results in the following files found: C:\Windows\System\WebRebates_Auto_InstallSilent
C:\ProgramFiles\WebRebates\WebRebates0
C:\ProgramFiles\WebRebates\WebRebates1
I have resisted the temptation to execute these files before hearing from the experts, but following is a copy of the ReadMe file helpfully provided.
..........................................................
TopRebates.com AutoTrack software
========================================================
Save automatically on your online purchases... every day of the year.
========================================================
AutoTrack by TopRebates.com assures that you put money back in your
pocket from every purchase you make with participating TopRebates.com
merchants. Once you install, you are not required to go to TopRebates.com
first. Shop anywhere online and if they are a TopRebates merchant, you will
receive your rebate credit automatically.
========================================================
Privacy Statement
========================================================
TopRebates.com respects your privacy and our AutoTrack software does
not collect any personally identifiable information without your consent.
No personally identifiable data on your shopping or browsing leaves your
computer.
For more information please view our detailed Privacy Statement at:
http://www.toprebates.com/cgi/shop.plx?pid=5&page=priv
========================================================
Uninstall instructions
========================================================
You can uninstall TopRebates AutoTrack by following these instructions:
(1) Close all your browsers
(2) Add/Remove Programs in the Control Panel and remove the TopRebates
module.
(3) Delete the file folder c:/program files/TopRebates.
(4) Empty your recycle bin.
Like most software programs, TopRebates AutoTrack does add some entries
to your registry but they do not change the behavior of your PC once the
application has been uninstalled. These entries should not be removed
unless done by an experienced computer user.
========================================================
Important information
========================================================
Terms of use:
http://www.toprebates.com/cgi/shop.plx?pid=5&page=term
EULA:
http://www.toprebates.com/cgi/shop.plx?pid=5&page=eula
Privacy Statement:
http://www.toprebates.com/cgi/shop.plx?pid=5&page=priv
FAQs:
http://www.fuzeqna.com/toprebates/consumer/search.asp
Contact Us:
http://www.fuzeqna.com/toprebates/consumer/question.asp
--------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 2004 TopRebates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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OK, so obviously some sort of tracking software, but is it likely to be slowing my computer, is it harmful in any way, and what is the best way to get rid of it completely?