The quickmetasearch hijacker

PC Protection and Security

The quickmetasearch URL is spyware that hijacks your browser to default to their page each time you open up your browser. Changing your default settings is not enough as it reinstalls itself each time you restart your browser. You need to get deeper into your system to remove this nuisance.

To completely remove the quickmetasearch hijacker from your system

First locate the following files and folders and delete them.

C:\Program Files\STHomePage\STHomePage.dll
C:\Program Files\STLinks\STLinks.dll

Go to your start button, click, then click Run: Type in “regedit” and locate the following files and delete them.

HKEY Current User
Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://quickmetasearch.com/?said=acc0001_ho

HKEY Local Machine
Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://quickmetasearch.com/?said=acc0001_ho

While still in your registry, go to “edit” (or Ctrl+F) and copy and paste the following values into the box. Once located, delete them. If you only delete the above files and folders, the values listed below will continue to automatically reinstall the hijackers URL every time you reboot your computer or restart Internet Explorer.

{1B9CB0F8-118B-49C1-956D-B703E976F8E3}
{B54BFA47-D897-49CA-9657-05EC9F80A32B}

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Your connection to the internet can provide you with vast amounts of information and functionality, unfortunately it can also bring risks. One of those risks could be in the form of a virus, spyware or even a hacker. There are 3 things that should be on every computer even before they access the internet.

1. Anti-Virus Software
2. Personal Firewall
3. Anti-Spyware Software

We suggest the following that offer very good protection.

Anti-Virus (AVG™ by Grisoft)
www.grisoft.com
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2

Trend Micro™ (Housecall)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com
Online anti-virus scan.

Personal Firewall (Zone Alarm™)
www.zonelabs.com

Spyware (Adaware™)
www.lavasoft.de/default.shtml.en

Remember to regularly check for any updates these programs may offer.

For more information on how you can protect your computer please consult your local computer services professional.

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