What is widdit.com ?

I can't find anything in my add-ons that points to Ask or Complitly. Anyway, I get the same symptoms in Firefox and in IE, so it appears to be something in my PC, not just in my browser. My laptop does not show any of these symptoms.

At this point I would just like to know more about widdit. I am beginning to suspect that it may be a legal, but extraordinarly rude, commercial program. I do NOT want to go to the widdit web site and get removal instructions, as a supposed representative of the widdit company(?) invites people to do. So far I have found three different forums that have been discussing widdit, and the widdit rep made an appearance on two of them, but overall I didn't get enough information from those forums to answer my fundamental questions. And I'm afraid that going to the widdit web site will simply download a whole slew of additional spyware onto my machine. That's why I'm hoping to find an outside source, such as an anti-virus program or a knowledgeable PC user, that knows how to kill widdit. And why I want to know more about widdit itself.

NTG

- I am beginning to suspect that it may be a legal, but extraordinarly rude, commercial program.

I agree. According to what I've read it is legal. Where the "legal line" is drawn remains to be seen.

- I do NOT want to go to the widdit web site and get removal instructions as a supposed representative of the widdit company(?) invites people to do.

- And I'm afraid that going to the widdit web site will simply download a whole slew of additional spyware onto my machine.

I didn't access the removal instructions provided by the so-called rep, despite the fact WOT (and other site checkers) deems the site to be safe. I copied the below from Widdit via Google's cache. As an added note, had you read their removal instructions, I doubt they would have been useful. (You already checked your Programs and add-ons without success)

- At this point I would just like to know more about widdit.

I don't know how much information you gathered from the sites you visited, but according to Widdit:

Widdit provides Browser and Application add ons ("Add Ons") that enables users to receive website information and search and browsing enhancement, such as search autocomplete.

What is Widdit?

Widdits is a clever search autocomplete service, which helps you perform quicker more accurate searches and get new search ideas as you type.

The Widdit Add-on

The Widdit Add-on is a useful browser add-on that displays unbiased, independent search suggestions and tools when typing into any search box on the web. Widdit empowers users by exposing them to better search suggestions, while also introducing alternative destinations of interest. The Add-on maintains user search habits when browsing other websites, simply making search easier and quicker, while producing improved results!

Widdit For Websites

Widdit automatically gives users search suggestions based on what they have typed - as they're typing. Suggestions are based on your website's content to significantly shorten search time and make it more effective. Once added to your site, suggestions improve and adapt based on actual searches conducted by your users. Simply copy/paste our html code and integrate Add Widdit to your website and give your users a faster way to find what they're looking for. '

Elsewhere: 'Widdit Suggested Terms or Personal Search Completion is similar to the Google suggestion terms which suggests relevant phrases and terms to users while they are typing in a search box. Search completion is displayed under the search box and dynamically changes as you type.

I couldn't find anything more specific. Or helpful, for that matter.

In your original post you wrote of (widdit-related) pages loading endlessly. Nothing about search suggestions (or auto complete) as described above. Could it be it came bundled with something you recently installed? I found those who were able to remove it, were able to identify where it came from. (i.e. Widdit, AutoComplete Pro, Crossrider, Complitly, etc.) Did you check all the "search" settings on your system?

You asked how to 'kill it'. You can give Rkill a try (immediately followed by MBAM without a restart), but I'm not convinced it's going to find the offending culprit. Definitely worth a try, though.

Have you tried scanning with HitmanPro or ESET's Online Scanner?

I don't know of one specific scanner, which addresses it. (It doesn't mean one doesn't exist). There's a long list of diagnostic tools used at the malware removal forums - one of which may be of help.

Best of luck..
Carol