Alexa?

[G Willikers]

A couple of days ago, a new tool bar showed up, added to my screen just below the regular address bar. It was called "Alexa". It included a search function and other items. On Smokstak, when I wanted to enlarge a thumbnail picture, a message board popped up from Alexa asking if I wanted to allow the Smokstak picture pop-up. I just deleted the Alexa message and the Smokstak picture came up as expected. I think I was able to delete all the Alexa related files and got rid of the tool bar. I also did a virus scan and nothing showed up.
At any rate, just wondering if anyone knows anything about this, what it is and if I can expect any problems?
Thanks,
G.

[JKWidener]

Alexa tool bar does track you web surfing habits, and it is unknown how long they store this information. If you run a Spy ware program, it will find any remaining traces of this tool bar and you can choose to delete it...

"Spy bot search and destroy" is a great free download to use. Thats what i use and it keeps my computer running fast and efficiantly...

Spy bot search and destroy can be downloaded here

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Searc...spybot&subj=dl

[George & Helen Myers]

To the best of my knowledge Alexa tool bar is an Amazon.com Company . Maybe some one did some Christmas shopping with Amazon on your computer and downloaded it.....Helen

[Craig A]

Alexa is a dirty pig and difficult to remove!
Here is the BEST way to get rid of it entirely, but I'm WARNING you.......ONE SCREWUP in the registry can be disasterous.
I'm used to registry editing so it's no big deal for me.

http://www.safer-networking.com/removeAlexa.php

Here is the uninstaller from Alexa:

http://www.alexa.com/site/help/?index=37

Whether or not it gets of it entirely.....I don't know........

[G Willikers]

Thanks all for the info above.
But now! After looking at Craig's link, I wouldn't even consider tackling the removal What if I just leave the damn thing alone? I do not do much on-line - Smokstak, a little email, very little ebay any more and one political site I post to occasionally. I have very little personal info on my computer and no important bank #s, etc..
When I first realized it was there, I did notice that my computer was sending out a lot more bytes than usual so there was info going out but after I deleted a bunch of it, things are back to normal. What harm can it do me if I leave it alone? Will the spy-ware program mentioned above help me?
And Craig? Why didn't you offer to fix it when you were here a couple of weeks back?
G.

Craig here: G.............you didn't ASK........and it was LAST week........THURSDAY