Its adware and a parasite but the problem can be fixed
easily enough:
First use this fixtool from Symantec :
http://securityresponse.symantec.com/avcenter/FxIstbar.exe
Download it to your desktop and reboot into safe mode
(reboot and keep tapping F8 then choose sfae mode)
double click the fix tool to start the istbar remover.
also run MS Antispy while in safe mode
To check for this manually try this:
Check your Add/Remove Programs for
MS AUpdate
MS Updates
ISTbar
Any remove if found
Open c/drive then Program files and check for a folder
called ISTBar if you find it Un-register the.dll as
explained below then remove the folder
Also check for any of these folders and remove if found
SideFind
YourSiteBar
ISTsvc
If you find the folder reboot into safe mode(reboot and
keep tapping F8 then choose safe mode from the list)
In safe mode:
Open a command prompt (Start >Run > and type cmd > then
paste this in and press enter :
cd "%WinDir%\System"
regsvr32 /u "\Program Files\ISTbar\istbar.dll"
Remove any folders found then reboot ,
The ActiveX issue can be cleared using hijack this if
thats all that remains of this.there is alot of registry
entries involved so using the remover is the best start
to make sure your not still infected , if this doesnt
clear the problem download hijack this and post the log
and we can take out the ActiveX causing this.
Hijack This
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/hijackthis.zip
Unpack it to its own folder(either c/drive or desktop) ,
Extract & run,Choose to run a scan and save the
logfile.The ActiveX entries are displayed as 016 DPF -
but post them if you need help
GoodLuck
Andy