Spyware removal question

[hooklahoma]

I'm pretty computer savy and but I screwed up at work and accidently added an annoying little program called "hotbar" to my office pc. It modifies the windows of all your programs to include ads.

I did some research on the web and found out how to get rid of the program and its hidden extentions. I didnt, however, get to erase the modifications the program did to my registry because IT has all that stuff locked up tight. My question is, what kind of problems could I experience with these registry mods still in there? I dont want to get IT involved b/c they're all a bunch of pricks and love to humiliate you infront of your bosses when stuff like this happens.

 

[utahorn]

I've been using Pest Patrol for spyware removal and have been pretty happy with the results. They're now owned by Computer Associates.

Here is a review I found from ZDnet.
The Link

Warning: Some companies get really upset if you load an app like this on your PC as they feel that the computer is company property and all updates should come from IT.

 

[TheSheriffIsNEAR]

utahorn -

You misread his post. He can use whatever tools he can purchase or download off the net, but he can't remove the registry traces the spyware leaves behind.

hook -

Register at the following forum and post your question there. I'm sure it has been asked before, and they should know how bad off you are since Hotbar is a common bug. I doubt you'll find a specific answer just by searching the forum. Someone may even know a workaround for cleaning the registry. The Link

 

[jmatt]

Another good place to look to for help:

The Link

More specifically:

The Link

 

[BattleshipTexas]

Ad-aware, sbybot, pestpatrol, etc usually do that for you.

 

[hooklahoma]

In reply to:

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[HornHawk]

Some programs, however, will look like they are removing programs, but to really remove some spyware programs like Claria, you actually have to go in and do a regedit. Some spyware is so insidious that it keeps reinstalling itself on your registry every time you reboot or restart your computer.