this thread is definitly informative

Symantec classifies this as adware thereby making it detectable only by its products that support "expanded threats".

from their site:

"Expanded threats exist outside of commonly known definitions of viruses, worms, and Trojan horses that may provide unauthorized access, threats to system or data security, and other types of threats or nuisances. Expanded threats may be unknowingly downloaded from Web sites, email messages, or instant messengers. They can also be installed as a by-product of accepting the End User License Agreement from another software program related to or linked in some way to the expanded threat.

and in reguard to ISTBAR:

"September 22, 2003

This threat can be detected only by Symantec products that support expanded threats.

Adware.Istbar is an adware component, which does one or more of the following:

Installs an Internet Explorer toolbar
Acts as a Home page and search hijacker
Pops up advertisements, often pornographic in nature

Symptoms

The existence of the file: C:\Program Files\ISTsvc\ISTsvc.exe.

The files are detected as Adware.Istbar.

Transmission
Various distribution channels exist. For example, Adware.Istbar can be downloaded and installed from affiliate sites, typically pornographic in nature."

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now i understand that labeling adware/spyware as a trojan can open them up to legal action i cant seem to find any info on exactly which products support expanded threats and how to be sure this feature is activated.