spyware ?? starware ??

Question

ok well i am so so so so so nervous right now because when i came onto my computer i had a toolbar that i did not download. it said it was called starware so i went to add and remove programs and i removed it and now its gone. norton popped up saying it was bad so i did a scan and it said it didnt say anything. it said it was called adaware.starware. but when i look in the quarantine thing its in there and when i look at the details it says this : this is a back-up copy of a security risk program that has been removed."

i get very very nervous when i have viruses and spyware. i just got this new computer and this is my first time getting it. im very safe though. i havce Nroton internet security and adaware. its pretty lame, but i almost cant sleep at night and get very stressed when i get a virus because im afraid something will happen !! help !! did i get rid of this spyware ???

I DONT WANT TO DOWNLOAD ANYTHING. I JUST WANT TO KNOW IF I GOT RID OF IT OR NOT ! !

Answer 1

As long as it is in quarantine then you are fine. No malware can do any harm there.

However this type of malware is often downloaded into your computer by a trojan that is hiding somewhere in your computer. Just to be sure that your computer is completely clean, I would suggest a free online (no download) scan with Ewido:
http://www.ewido.net/en/
Ewido is excellent in detecting and removing the trojans that anti-virus and anti-spyware programs miss. Even the 2 excellent ones that you have (Norton and AdAware).

Good luck.

Answer 2

There are two types of toolbars . One is a spyware type and other one is useful toolbars like Google, Yahoo etc.

For removing the useful toolbars you can follow the following procedures

1) Left click on the pencil near the search bar on the toolbar which you want to remove and select uninstall.

2) Go to START > CONTROL PANEL > ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS. In the 'Change or remove programs' section find the toolbar and click on REMOVE.

3) Right click empty space on toolbar and uncheck the unwanted toolbar.

4) If you want to remove the toolbar for a larger page then press F11 button, it will increase ur viewing space and ur toolbars will hide. If you want to restore it back then press F11 again.

Now, If you suspect that the toolbar is a spyware or adware then
get a AntiSpyware porgram and run it.You can find them in the below links :

http://www.free-web-browsers.com/support/remove-mysearch.shtml

http://www.free-scanner.com/

Answer 3

There is NO way to get rid of spyware without downloading something. I recommend ewidow. It is good, and made by the same company of AVG Anti-Virus. It does a detailed scan, and will remove problems when they occur. It also offers real time protection.

Availible at http://www.grisoft.com/doc/10/lng/us/tpl/tpl01?prd=ews

Answer 4

Norton and McAfee are both horrible. Neither of them give very good protection agaisnt the threats on the internet. You should get Bitdefender or AVG. And you should definetly download spybot search and destroy to go along with adaware.

Answer 5

◙ Full PC security information - All in one ◙

→ Scan your computer for spyware/adware using a FREE software from Microsoft called Windows Defender: »»http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

→ You can download a FREE antivirus software:
»» http://www.grisoft.com/doc/Programs/lng/us/tpl/tpl01

→ You can buy Webroot Spy Sweeper here, it's very nice, safe and very up-to-date:
»» http://www.webroot.com/land/freescan-3000.php?rc=4929&ac=5190853

→ MSN Toolbar, includes Pop-up blocker, Phishing filter - FREE:
»» http://toolbar.live.com/?mkt=en-us

→Yahoo Toolbar with Pop-up blocker, spyware protection...FREE
»» http://companion.yahoo.com/ie

→Google toolbar:
»» http://toolbar.google.com/T4/?rd=f

→ Scan your computer for spyware/adware:
»» http://www.pctools.com/spyware-doctor/?ref=google_adw

→ Scan your computer for virus/trojans:
»» http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp

→ The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool checks computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, and Windows Server 2003 for infections:
»» http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

→Windows Live OneCare safety scanner is a free service designed to help ensure the health of your PC:
»» http://safety.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm?s_cid=sah

→ Use Windows Update to make sure you have the latest security updates:
»» http://www.windowsupdate.com

→ You can download the latest version of Internet Explorer, it's the new version, fast, clean and secure:
»» http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.mspx?mg_ID=10010

→ Security at home:
»» http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/default.mspx

Answer 6

trend micro http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ this is the best, you will have to download a small active x, let it scan your pc
chil out a little bit!

Answer 7

Get ad aware from download.com. It takes care of spyaware