MyWay Searchbar

MyWay Searchbar, also known as MyWay Speedbar,[1], MyWay Search Assistant, MyWebSearch or MyWeb Searchbar, is a spyware and search toolbar program that allows the user to query Google, Ask Jeeves, Yahoo!, and LookSmart search engines. HP and Dell[2][3] pre-install this software on some of their commercially sold PCs[4]. It is also bundled with some versions of Kazaa.[5] It is also a part of the FunWebProducts suite of utilities such as Smiley Central, Webfetti, Cursor Mania, My Mail Stationary, My Mail Signature, My Mail Stamps, FunBuddyIcons, PopSwatter, and Popular Screensavers. Because it tracks browsing habits, the MyWay Searchbar is classified as spyware and/or adware,[1][6][7][8] though Kirk Lawrence, former IAC Search & Media's Director of Internet Security and Privacy, denied it.


Design

MyWay Searchbar attaches itself to the Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Opera[9] and Mozilla Firefox[10] browsers, adding search functions and pop-up blocking. MyWay also collects data about the user's surfing habits and sends it back to the MyWay server to tailor ads toward the user's interests.[5] MyWay is owned by IAC Search & Media (formerly Ask Jeeves) and was one of many properties purchased as a part of their acquisition of Interactive Search Holdings in 2004.[11]

As a Browser Helper Object, MyWay shares the memory that the browser uses and detects certain events, such as a new browser window. When a new browser window is opened, MyWay sends a configuration request that prepares ads according to visited sites. Browsing habits data are collected and sent to a central server, enabling MyWay to tailor advertisements based on the user's browsing habits.


Removal

The MyWay (or MyWebSearch) software does not actively fight removal from a computer, unlike some products that re-add startup hooks within seconds of their deletion. However, because it alters computer settings, it tries to restart when a computer is rebooted. The software is notable for installing over two hundred computer settings, such as over 210 MS Windows registry keys/values.[12][13] Beyond the browser plugin, it has numerous settings to affect Outlook, email, HTML, XML, etc. Although tools exist to remove MyWay (or MyWebSearch),[12] it can be hand-deleted in roughly 1 hour, by users familiar with using Regedit to quickly find and delete keys/values (named with "MyWebSearch"). After reboot, the browser will return to the prior display appearance.

Source