The following instructions have been created to help you to get rid of "Message Mates" manually.
Use this guide at your own risk; software should usually be better suited to remove malware, since it is able to look deeper.

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Threat Details:

Categories:
  • adware
  • spywaresuspicion

Description:
This product saves an identifier and keeps track of you like stated in the Privavy statement quoted above. A named feature on AdTools' website is: 'Comprehensive tracking'.
Supposed Functionality:
Desktop avatar
Privacy Statement:
We collect aggregate information about the number of AdTools' products downloaded and run, whether they are passed on, how the product is used, and which sites are visited as a result of interaction with the product.
Links (be careful!):
Website: http://www.adtoolsinc.com/
Product: http://www.adtoolsinc.com/product_suite/screenmates.htm
Privacy: http://www.adtoolsinc.com/documents/privacy/privacy.htm
Removal Instructions:

Files:

Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these files.
  • A file with an unknown location named "coolio.exe".
  • A file with an unknown location named "verizon.exe".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If Message Mates uses rootkit technologies, use our RootAlyzer or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins.
You will have to use a global search for files without a name specified. Be extra careful, because just the name might not be enough to identify files!

Registry:

You can use regedit.exe (included in Windows) to locate and delete these registry entries.
  • Delete the registry key "AdTools, Inc." at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
If Message Mates uses rootkit technologies, use our RegAlyzer, RootAlyzer or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins.

Final Words:

If neither Spybot-S&D nor self help did resolve the issue or you would prefer one on one help,
  1. Please read these instructions before requesting assistance,
  2. Then start your own thread in the Malware Removal Forum where a volunteer analyst will advise you as soon as available.