I do not use a homepage for Internet Explorer. About:blank is fast to load and not cluttered in appearance. All of a sudden, today this is a Critical Object for Ad-Aware. How can I have Ad-Aware ignore this, please?

Hi, Newbie. I also have About:blank as my home/start page for both IE and FF. I agree that it is fast to load, particularly on dialup.

As you have apparently had the same start page for some time and it was not detected by Ad-Aware, you may want to be sure that your PC has not been infected with CoolWebSearch.

I would suggest that you post a full scan logfile for review. Before performing a scan, be sure that you have the most recent definitions file by using WebUpdate. (Click on the Globe icon, Click connect, Click OK, Click Finish.)

If you have changed the default settings, please set up the Configurations (Gear wheel at the top) as follows:

General Button > Safety & Settings: Check (Green) all three.
Advanced Button > Logfile Detail Level: All options under this should be checked (Green).
Tweak Button > Log Files: Please check only:

• "Include basic Ad-Aware settings in logfile"
• "Include additional Ad-Aware settings in logfile"

Click on "Proceed"

Click on "Scan Now". Please deselect "Search for negligible risk entries" as negligible risk entries (MRU's) are not considered to be a threat. If these are included in your logfile it will be removed and we will not give advice on them. They are the user's choice.

Run the scanner using the Full Scan (Perform full system scan) mode. When the scan has completed, click "Show Logfile". Copy/paste the complete log file as a reply in your topic. Do not quarantine or remove anything at this time, just post a complete logfile. This sometimes takes 2-3 posts to get it all posted. You will know you are at the end when you see the "Summary of this scan" information has been posted.

To answer your original question, following are instructions for adding findings to the Ignore List:
Launch Ad-Aware SE and check for updates. Next click on the gear to access the Configuration Menu. Click on Tweak > Cleaning Engine > UNcheck "Always try to unload modules before deletion".

1. Run a full system scan with Ad-Aware SE
2. Select the objects you want to add to the ignore list in the Scan Summary, Critical Objects, or Negligible Objects lists on the Scanning Results screen.
3. Right click and select "Add selected to ignore list"
4. A pop-up window showing the number of objects that will be added to the ignore list opens. Click "OK" to continue.

The object is now added to the Ignore List. Run a new scan to select the remaining objects to be quarantined.

Please post back if you have any questions.

Thank you.

Thank you, Corrine, for your thoughtful reply. I have copied it to keep for future reference.

I have "CW Shredder" freeware from TrendMicro, which tells me I do not have a CoolWebSearch infection.

The problem with Ad-Aware went away when I deactivated "Disable the IE Home Page settings area in the InternetTools Control Panel," found under Tools, Misc. IE Settings in SpywareBlaster. That was a new change for me, and that "lock" was apparently what triggered the Ad-Aware.

I am sorry I did not think of that before posting to this forum. Almost everything I have learned about computers is through trial and error.

I have been using about:blank for many months with no problem otherwise.

Ad-Aware is an asset to my anti-spyware defenses, often finding items that other programs do not.

Thank you, Newbie. I've added the information about SpywareBlaster to my notes. I have used About:Blank for at least 5 years so must have dealt with that issue a long time ago and forgotten about it.

I too have learned a lot through trial & error. I have learned even more however, through information sharing in threads such as this at the various security forums.

Regards.