In the Command Prompt window, type the following command (without quotes):

ping 7search.com

If the results return an IP address of [127.0.0.1], you ARE affected by the "bad" HOSTS file. If the results return an IP address of [208.237.254.X], you are NOT affected by the "bad" HOSTS file.

Based on your operating system, the "bad" HOSTS file will be located in the following paths:

Windows Vista = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC

Windows XP = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC

Windows 2000 = C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\DRIVERS\ETC

To remove the "bad" HOSTS file:

1) Use Windows Explorer to open the folder described above (or select Start->Run, next type the path of the folder above, and press Enter).
2) Select the current HOSTS file, press F2 to rename it, and type a new name such as "HOSTS-BAD". Apply the new name by pressing Enter.
3) Download the attached empty HOSTS file (by right-clicking the "hosts" link below and selecting Save Target As) and place it in the folder described above. Make sure to name it HOSTS without any extension (e.g. hosts.txt is incorrect, it should be just hosts)

Note: These directions are for Internet Explorer/Firefox users.  If you are using a different browser please contact us at clientsupport@7search.com for further intructions.  Also, be sure that you are attempting to login as an advertiser and not as an affiliate.   

- Internet Explorer (IE) - Make sure that 7search.com is not listed in the "Restricted Sites" section under Internet Options-Security tab.

1. Right click on the IE icon and select the "properties" option           
2. Click on the "privacy" tab and select advanced
3. Place a check in the "Override automatic cookie handling" box and select 'ok' 
4. Next, click on the "Security" tab and choose the red restricted sites icon
5. Remove 7search.com from your restricted sites and click 'ok'6) Add 7search.com to your trusted sites and attempt to login 

- Firefox Browser – Review the  "Cookies Exception" list in your browser

You must restart your computer for the changes to go into effect.  Once this is done you can attempt to login.   

For Spybot Search and Destroy you should review the recently added “Browser Helper Object” in the Tools menu to remove 7search.com from their block list.   Also, if you have ever “immunized” using Spybot it is likely that it created a bad hosts file and added thousands of domains into your Restricted Sites zone.  7Search is on that list. The best way to resolve these issues is to reverse the “immunization” of your Spybot Search and Destroy. There is a button in SpyBot to "undo the immunization". This will restore your access to its pre-immunization level.   

Since SpyBot adds literally thousands of domains it is very hard to find 7Search on the list. We have a special FAQ that provides instructions and a tool on how to remove ALL restricted sites. It is located at http://faq.7search.com/?solution_id=1276 .

Please contact customer support providing them with the name of the program affecting  your computer along with any error messages you may be receiving. Customer Support can be reached by visiting http://7search.com/scripts/support/index.asp.

2) Must be a search engine, portal or portal type of web site, meta crawler or directory.

3) In order to protect our advertisers, clients may ( under some special circumstances) be required to provide 7Search a list of their affiliate generating search traffic to our advertiser.  This helps 7search determine if a client's affiliates is generating  fraudulent traffic.  If a 7Search affiliate's affiliate is found to be sending fraudulent or unusual traffic to 7Search and its advertisers, 7Search will request its client ask their affiliate to remove 7Search from its pages.  If the request not granted,  7search has the right to stop sending results to client accounts or stop payment of searches  and/or clicks.

For more information please visit http://searchenginesupplier.com.

To register for to be an XML affiliate contact 7search.com Business Development at 1-800-577-1165 ext 6907.

Conversion tracking helps you measure the effectiveness of your advertising campaigns and improve your account's return on investment (ROI). "Conversions" are simply defined as actions that you - the advertiser - want visitors to perform on your website such as making a purchase, completing a lead or signup form, even tracking they visit a particular page.