Unwanted "Cool Web Search" Favourites bar

[sqk0612]

My Internet Explorer, over the past few days, has opened with a "Search Engine" called CoolWeb Search in the left hand bar, which I don't want, and don't need, instead of my usual Favourites bar, which I normally open with. I now have to manually select "Favourites" from the top toolbar, to bring up my usual Favouites Toolbar on the left.

Any suggestions on how to get rid of this unwanted intruder?

[BRL]

Hi there. I can't help you get rid of it or change it but can offer this advice. Do you have a good anti-virus or even better, Zone alarm (pro)? If not then it may be a dodgy web-site has placed the code for this search engine thing in there without you knowing. Zone alarm is good for preventing this as is Norton. If this is the case then look at putting either of them (pref both) on your system. Also consider Spybot, that is useful for blocking things like this. I think you can also use TweakUI to change your search preferences, maybe have a look at that. Hope this has helped a bit.
Brl.

[ORAC]

See here and here.

[Front_Seat_Dreamer]

I am guessing that you have clicked OK to a download from some dishonest advertising webmonkey. There are a million programs it could be but you need to download AdAware & SpyBot Search and destroy. Just look for them on google they will appear at the top. Once installed then run the programs and they will tell you how much spyware etc. that you have succumbed to. Let the programs delete the problem files and hopefully you will be OK, however be warned I have accidently installed a similar prog and 8 days later am still trying to recover from the side effects and I am supposed to be an IT pro...