TOPicks is an Internet Explorer toolbar that shows targeted links to other sites.

At the time of writing, the current version (1.5) of TOPicks seems not to work properly; information here is based on what it appears to be trying to do.

Distribution

Bundled with Grokster around July 2003.

Advertising

Other than the links (which include sponsored entries), none known.

Privacy violation

None known.

Security issues

Yes. TOPicks can silently download and execute arbitrary unsigned code from its controlling server tpdownload.topicks.com, as a self-updating feature.

Stability problems

None known.

Removal

There is uninstaller executable downloaded by the updating feature; however at the time of writing this, like the rest of the software, does not work.

Manual removal

Open a DOS command prompt windows (from Start->Programs->Accessories), and enter the following commands:

(These commands may need to be changed accordingly if your Program Files folder is called something else, for example on a non-English Windows installation.)

Next, open the registry (Start->Run, enter regedit) and find the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run. If you have it, delete the entry 'ToPicks starter' (pointing to Idhost.exe). You can also delete the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Topicks to clean up, if you want.

Restart the computer and you should be able to delete the 'ToPicks' folder inside your Program Files folder.