more on Google/IE Search Default - malware already there...

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Ethan Ackerman <eackerma () u washington edu>
Date: May 8, 2006 12:58:04 PM EDT
To: dave () farber net
Subject: Re: [IP] Google/IE Search Default - malware already there...

> From: Zach White <zwhite () darkstar frop org>
> Date: May 2, 2006 12:38:10 PM EDT
> To: David Farber <dave () farber net>
> Subject: Re: [IP] Suggestion Regarding Google/IE Search Default
> Controversy
[...]
> Second, we'll see new malware that reconfigures the search engine  
> for a
> user. Many users will just assume that "The Internet Search" is being
> redesigned everytime they get infected with a new malware.


It's safe to assume with malware that if you can think it, it has
probably already happened.

IE 6.x (and I suspect 5.x) allows customization of the search pane and
'address bar search' features - using the 'customize' button after
clicking the search pane toolbar button, or directly by editing the
relevant Registry settings.

So many types of mal/adware hijack these settings (along with default
home page, etc.) that MSFT's anti-spyware tool even includes a feature
to 'reset' all these URLs to their initial MSFT factory settings.

-Ethan


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