The following instructions have been created to help you to get rid of "eZula HotText" 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

Supposed Functionality:
Search add-on for Internet Explorer
Privacy Statement:
However, in order to provide the service, the eZula application collects information about its activity, such as the keywords that the application was activated on. When you react to the highlights then eZula will also collect a standard web log that may include more information about the action such as IP address, time etc.
Links (be careful!):
Website: http://www.ezula.com/
Product: http://www.ezula.com/TopText/TopText.asp
Privacy: http://www.ezula.com/TopText/Privacy.asp
Removal Instructions:

Start Menu:

Please remove the following items from your start menu.
To check where they are pointing to, right-click them and choose "Properties" from the context menu appearing.
  • Groups named "TopText iLookup".

Autorun:

Please use Spybot-S&D, RunAlyzer or msconfig.exe to remove the following autorun entries.
  • Entries named "eZstub" and pointing to "*".
  • Entries named "eZWO" and pointing to "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Web Offer\wo.exe".
  • Entries named "eZWO" and pointing to "C:\PROGRA~1\Web Offer\wo.exe".
  • Entries named "eZmmod".
  • Entries pointing to "eZulaMain.exe".

Important: There are more autorun entries that cannot be safely described in simple words. Please use Spybot-S&D to remove them.

Installed Software List:

You can try to uninstall products with the names listed below; for items identified by other properties or to avoid malware getting active again on uninstallation, use Spybot-S&D or RunAlyzer to locate and get rid of these entries.
  • Products that have a key or property named "eZula".

Files:

Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these files.
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Online Services\PeoplePC\Utilities\AtlBrowser.exe".
  • A file with an unknown location named "AtlBrowser.exe".
  • A file with an unknown location named "ezStub.exe".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\woinstall.exe".
  • The file at "<$SYSDIR>\ezPopStub.exe".
  • A file with an unknown location named "ezStub.exe".
  • The file at "<$SYSDIR>\ezPopStub.exe".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\woinstall.exe".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Web Offer\wo.exe".
  • The file at "<$SYSDIR>\bdlds.dll".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\temp\Ezula.cnr".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\Downloaded Program Files\ezstub.dll".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\Downloaded Program Files\ezstub.INF".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.pu".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.rst".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.rst".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.pu".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.pu.dyn".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.pu.dyn".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.dst".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.dst".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.kwd".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\basis.kwd".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\CHCON.dll".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\CHCON.dll".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\eabh.dll".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\eabh.dll".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\genun.ez".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\INSTALL.LOG".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\legend.lgn".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\mmod.exe".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\mmod.exe".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\param.ez".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\rwds.rst".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\search.src".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\seng.dll".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\seng.dll".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\upgrade.vrn".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\version.vrn".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\version.vrn".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\wndbannn.src".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula\wndbannn.src".
  • The file at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Twister\Partner\ezsTTtub.exe".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\eZinstall.exe".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\eZinstall.exe".
  • The file at "<$WINDIR>\eZinstall.exe".
  • The file at "<$SYSDIR>\ezstub.exe".
  • The file at "<$SYSDIR>\ezstub.exe".
  • The file at "<$SYSDIR>\ezstub.exe".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If eZula HotText 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!

Important: There are more files that cannot be safely described in simple words. Please use Spybot-S&D to remove them.

Folders:

Please use Windows Explorer or another file manager of your choice to locate and delete these folders.
  • The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\Web Offer".
  • The directory at "<$PROGRAMFILES>\eZula".
Make sure you set your file manager to display hidden and system files. If eZula HotText 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 folders!

Registry:

You can use regedit.exe (included in Windows) to locate and delete these registry entries.
  • Delete the registry value "ezIns" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\".
  • Delete the registry value "ezIns" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run\".
  • Delete the registry key "Web Offer" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\".
  • Delete the registry key "{0818D423-6247-11D1-ABEE-00D049C10000}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\".
  • Delete the registry key "AtlBrowser.EXE" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{A166C1B0-5CDB-447A-894A-4B9FD7149D51}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{241667A3-EC83-4885-84DD-C2DAAFC1C5EA}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{25630B50-53C6-4E66-A945-9D7B6B2171FF}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{370F6327-41C4-4FA6-A2DF-1BA57EE0FBB9}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{370F6353-41C4-4FA6-A2DF-1BA57EE0FBB9}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{788C6F6E-C2EA-4A63-9C38-CE7D8F43BCE4}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{78BCF936-45B0-40A7-9391-DCC03420DB35}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{955CBF48-4313-4B1F-872B-254B7822CCF2}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{9CFA26C2-81DA-4C9D-A501-F144A4A000FA}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{EFA52460-8822-4191-BA38-FACDD2007910}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{9CFA26C1-81DA-4C9D-A501-F144A4A000FA}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{50B4D2B3-723F-41B3-AEC4-0BD66F0F45FF}" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\".
  • Delete the registry key "{A166C1B0-5CDB-447A-894A-4B9FD7149D51}" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Explorer Bars\".
  • Delete the registry key "{370F6327-41C4-4FA6-A2DF-1BA57EE0FBB9}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{9CFA26C0-81DA-4C9D-A501-F144A4A000FA}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{BAF13496-8F72-47A1-9CEE-09238EFC75F0}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{50B4D2B3-723F-41B3-AEC4-0BD66F0F45FF}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{6DF5E318-6994-4A41-85BD-45CCADA616F8}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{E7A05400-4CFA-4DF3-A643-E40F86E8E3D7}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaMain.eZulaPopSearchPipe", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaMain.eZulaPopSearchPipe.1", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaAgent.eZulaCtrlHost", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "eZulaAgent.IEObject", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaAgent.PlugProt", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "eZulaAgent.ToolBarBand", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "eZulaAgent.ToolBarBand.1", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaBoot.InstallCtrl", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaBootExe.InstallCtrl", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaFSearchEng.eZulaCode", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaFSearchEng.eZulaHash", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaFSearchEng.eZulaSearch", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaFSearchEng.PopupDisplay", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaFSearchEng.ResultHelper", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaFSearchEng.SearchHelper", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaMain.eZulaSearchPipe", plus associated values.
  • A key in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ named "EZulaMain.TrayIConM", plus associated values.
  • Delete the registry key "{07F0A543-47BA-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{07F0A545-47BA-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{19DFB2CB-9B27-11D4-B192-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{2079884B-6EF3-11D4-8A74-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{2306ABE4-4D42-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{2BABD334-5C3F-11D4-B184-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{3D7247DE-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{3D7247E8-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{55910916-8B4E-4C1E-9253-CCE296EA71EB}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{58359010-BF36-11d3-99A2-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{B1DD8A69-1B96-11D4-B175-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{C03351A4-6755-11D4-8A73-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{C4FEE4A7-4B8B-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{D290D6E7-BF9D-42F0-9C1B-3BC8AE769B57}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{07F0A542-47BA-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{07F0A544-47BA-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{1823BC4B-A253-4767-9CFC-9ACA62A6B136}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{19DFB2CA-9B27-11D4-B192-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{27BC6871-4D5A-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{3D7247DD-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{3D7247F1-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{4FD8645F-9B3E-46C1-9727-9837842A84AB}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{58359012-BF36-11D3-99A2-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{7EDC96E1-5DD3-11D4-B185-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{8A0443A2-5DA2-11D4-B185-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{8EBB1743-9A2F-11D4-8A7E-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{C03351A3-6755-11D4-8A73-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{C4FEE4A6-4B8B-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{EF0372DC-F552-11D3-8528-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{EF0372DE-F552-11D3-8528-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Interface\".
  • Delete the registry key "{07F0A536-47BA-11D4-8A6D-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{083FA8F4-84F4-11D4-8A77-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{3D7247D1-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{58359011-BF36-11D3-99A2-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{8A044396-5DA2-11D4-B185-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • Delete the registry key "{C0335197-6755-11D4-8A73-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib\".
  • References to the file "ezstub.dll" at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\SharedDlls\.
  • References to the file "ezstub.dll" at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ModuleUsage\.
  • Delete the registry key "eZula" at "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\".
  • Delete the registry key "eZula" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\".
  • Delete the registry key "{8A044397-5DA2-11D4-B185-0050DAB79376}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{C0335198-6755-11D4-8A73-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\".
  • Delete the registry key "eZulaBootExe.EXE" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\".
  • Delete the registry key "eZulaMain.EXE" at "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\AppID\".
  • Delete the registry key "{58359010-BF36-11D3-99A2-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\explorer\Browser Helper Objects\".
  • Delete the registry key "{3D7247DE-5DB8-11D4-8A72-0050DA2EE1BE}" at "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Code Store Database\Distribution Units\".
If eZula HotText uses rootkit technologies, use our RegAlyzer, RootAlyzer or our Total Commander anti-rootkit plugins.

Browser:

The following browser plugins or items can either be removed directly in your browser, or through the help of e.g. Spybot-S&D or RunAlyzer.
  • Look for ActiveX software installed from "www.ezula.com".

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.