"David H. Lipman" <DLipman~nospam~@Verizon.Net> wrote in
news:lyEuj.7762$N95.6498@trnddc03:

> From: "Sebastian G." <seppi@seppig.de>
>
>
>|
>| No. We're talking about the unknown malware that installed ISTbar.
>| We're talking about the unknown malware that was installed by ISTbar.
>| We're talking about the unknown malware that was installed aisde from
>| ISTbar. We're talking about the malware that got in through the same
>| vulnerability as ISTbar.
>|
>| Heck, we're not even sure that it's the same ISTbar as the analysts
>| had, much less that their analysis was complete.
>
> Once in a while I will agree with you. This is NOT one of those
> times.
>
> This is a common annoying adware program most notably installed by not
> practicing Safe Hex.

So, by not following safe hex, the OP has installed at least one mild
malware - ISTbar, but who knows what else he picked up? along the way?

I guess the OP could decide if they were foolish once, or foolish a few
times and got caught once, or have been foolish many times, and they
don't know what else is on their machine.

I'll agree that this mild malware could probably be removed simply. But
flattening and rebuilding gives the OP a chance to improve their security
model. Install all the patches, install some proper AV, sort out the
toy-firewalls, tell the kids not to surf pr0n sites, etc.