zSearch

Overview

zSearch, also called TotalVelocity zSearch, displays alternate search results, delivered to you in a search bar which is incorporated into Microsoft Internet Explorer. The search results are based on the web pages your view, how you respond to the search results, your computer type, internet connection speed, the software you have on your computer, etc. zSearch builds a anonymous profile using a randomly assigned marker that is tied to your computer. zSearch may update itself without user interaction.

If you make a Google search while zSearch is installed, zSearch copies the search words into the zSearch toolbar and displays search results payed by the advertising clients.

The vendor's statement about collected information, which helps the advertising clients to provide you with the targeted search results: "The web pages you view while surfing the Internet. How and if you respond to the search results we provide you (for example, we collect information about whether you clicked on text link or made a purchase in response to a specific text link). Your computer type, internet connection, operating system, browser and basic system set-up (screen resolution, time zone selected, etc.). What software you have on your computer (including what versions of the TV Software you are currently running) to provide you with updates and upgrades and offer you products (including software products) and services that we determine you might be interested in based on your current setup. "

The vendor's statement about updates: "TV may in its sole discretion make updates, fixes, upgrades, new functions and other modifications or versions of the Software (Changes) available to you in the future. You hereby consent to receive these Changes automatically and consent to having TV or its agents install the Changes directly onto your computer without any additional interaction with TV. This delivery process will take place in the background and will not have any material impact on your Internet usage."

zSearch is bundled with other software, according to the vendor's FAQ: "zSearch also has distribution agreements with other popular Internet software, that provide zSearch as a bundled bonus and is clearly stated in the End User License Agreement when downloading their product. If you have zSearch on your computer, and you have not installed it yourself, this is most likely how it was installed."

Classification

Adware

Files

zsearch.dll, Zstb.exe, zUninstaller.exe

If you have any of the files related to zSearch on your system, please send them for additional analysis. Generally, I have only analysed a few versions for each software component listed at this web site. With your help I will be able to look at both old and more recent versions of the zSearch software. Thank you very much for your time!

Log references

Log 669
Log 722
Log 1128

Vendor

zsearchtoolbar.com whois_cached whois
totalvelocity.com whois_cached whois

End User License Agreement and Privacy policy

2004-10-07

Detection

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner detects zSearch. Bazooka is freeware and detects spyware, adware, foistware, trojan horses, viruses, worms and other potentially unwanted applications. Read more »

Uninstall procedure

Uninstall zSearch from "Add/Remove Programs" in the Windows® Control Panel.

Uninstall zSearch with FreeFixer

I'm working on a general purpose tool for removing unwanted software. The tool is called FreeFixer and can help you remove unwanted Browser Helper Objects, Internet Explorer toolbars and software that starts automatically when you reboot your computer, so it can offer some assistance while uninstalling zSearch. The manual removal instructions listed below will help you to identify what to delete with FreeFixer.

Read more about FreeFixer.

Manual removal

Please follow the instructions below if you would like to remove zSearch manually. Please notice that you must follow the instructions very carefully and delete everything that is mentioned. In most cases the removal will fail if one single item is not deleted. If zSearch remains on your system after stepping through the removal instructions, please double-check by stepping through them again.

1. Start the registry editor. This is done by clicking Start then Run. (The Run dialog will appear.) Type regedit and click OK. (The registry editor will open.)
2. Browse to the key:
   'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run'
3. In the right pane, delete the value called 'zSearch', if it exists.
4. Browse to the key:
   'HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run'
5. In the right pane, delete the value called 'zSearch', if it exists.
6. Delete 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Classes \ CLSID \ {5886A6DC-AAF4-45E9-979A-8E5E6DEE30E7}', if it exists.
7. Delete 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Explorer \ Browser Helper Objects \ {5886A6DC-AAF4-45E9-979A-8E5E6DEE30E7}', if it exists.
8. Browse to the key:
   'HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Toolbar \ WebBrowser'
9. In the right pane, delete the value called {5886A6DC-AAF4-45E9-979A-8E5E6DEE30E7}, if it exists.
10. Delete 'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Toolbar \ {5886A6DC-AAF4-45E9-979A-8E5E6DEE30E7}', if it exists.
11. Exit the registry editor.
12. Restart your computer.
13. Start Windows Explorer and delete:
    %ProgramsDir%\ZSEARCH\
    Note: %ProgramsDir% is a variable (?). By default, this is C:\Program Files.

Problems uninstalling? Click here.

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Contact information for zSearch's vendor

In order to provide correct, accurate and updated information about zSearch I encourage the vendor to contact me if any part of this write-up needs a revision.