How to get rid of CommonName?

Factual Questions
1

Something installed CommonName without my permission.

CommonName is an IE add-on that intercepts what you type in the URL box and tries to interpret it as a search string so it can try to take you directly to a web site based on a string like “United Airlines”. Trouble is it’s a piece of sh*t. It is listed for uninstall but when you try to uninstall it, it takes you to their web site, and requires a download. Well, they’ve already screwed up my computer enough, I’ll be damned if I’m going to download more crap from them. I am running a trial version of MemTurbo, a memory cleanup utility recommended by CNET. That is the only thing I can think of that might have installed this junk.

Is there any way out of this without downloading their stuff?

2

Adaware or Spybot might be able to handle it. If not, and if you have no other third-party browser extensions in use, you can go to Tools > Internet Opetions > Advanced Tab in IE and uncheck “Allow third-party browser extensions”. This will require you to reboot before it takes effect, but should get rid of it.

3

Some more info.

Uninstalling it manually is rather more intricate.