Keyboard F9 key invokes unwanted internet "Search-aide"

[Joe Funk]

Hi there;

As of a few days ago my F9 key was somehow re-assigned without my
knowledge or permission. Instead of the native behaviour, I get a small
browser window titled "Search-aide - Information at your fingertips ...",
from the Infosoft Corporation.

That leads me to ask 2 questions:
1. How can I remove the unknown program that is manipulating the keyboard? I
searched for both "Search-aide" and "Infosoft Corporation" on Google, and
there seems to be some funny business involved. The url's I found are either
useless or evasive wrt to what Infosoft Corporation actually does.
2.Can I re-assign the key myself via some built-in utility in WinXP Pro?
(Are these called keyboard hooks?)

I load ZoneAlarm and AVG6 at startup.
Now that I've become aware of "spyware, malware, BHo's and hijackers",
I've been tryinng out AdAware and HijackThis, which found and fixed a few
items. The F9 problem persists after removing all spyware etc with those 2
programs.

Joe

(I'm also posting this to microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)

[Joe Funk]

>

> (I'm also posting this to microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
>

Oops, that should read:
(I'm also posting this to alt.privacy.spyware)

Thanks, Joe