Yellow shield in taskbar on start up. What is it?

Question

On start-up, I see a yellow shield with ! mark in the task bar. When I point at it with the mouse it always says "downloading 0%" and never higher than 0. If I double click/right click nothing happens. It won't tell me what it is or what it's supposed to be downloading. Eventually it goes away (5 - 10 minutes). Recently I've had smitfraud zlob trojan infection. Is this related and how do I get rid of it?
I know when windows update runs I get a pop up telling me what it's doing so I'm thinking this is something else. I have run virus and several different spyware scans and there is nothing there.
I have already downloaded and installed the latest updates so that shouldn't be it. Is this Windows doing something?
I run XP Home and have automatic updates.

Answer 1

that yellow shield at start up is automatic updates checking to see if there are any updates that were /need to be downloaded, it does it on mine as well, but it just seems to be a check

Answer 2

I believe that shield is your Windows Virus program.. or perhaps Norton... and when they first start they look for updates automatically...

I prefer to use ZoneAlarm Security Suite.. costs about $50 for a single computer .. has Virus blocker/Scanner, Spyware scanner, and Firewall.. I have a link to it on my webpage http://www.tom-olsen.com/links.html I have some other stuff linked there too.. like free graphics programs (just need to register them, which is also free)...

ZoneAlarm can be set up to scan for viruses and spyware in the night (or any time you want.. daily, weekly, etc.)

Answer 3

Sometimes an update corrupts, and that sounds like what you might have. Turn windows update off. Clean your temp files. Reboot. Turn on Windows Update and see if that helps.

Answer 4

Is it asserting something approximately installation 'explorer 7'. do not panic it particularly is in simple terms attempting to get you up as much as now with the main contemporary version of information superhighway Explorer. permit it do it particularly is ingredient. If it keeps getting caught then open your information superhighway browser and style in 'homestead windows updates' the 1st effect that comes up may be the appropriate one. go on the microsoft website and decide to examine for updates to your workstation. Then in simple terms stick to the instructions and with a bit of luck the installation of the updates could prevail. computerized updates are slightly unreliable :) desire it is going easily

Answer 5

Defintely related to the spankin' Zlob virus. I had to clean up a client's machine last week.

Here are a couple of links that should help:

F-secure (try this first):
http://www.f-secure.com/v-descs/zlob.shtml

Brute force cleaner (good link):
http://noahdfear.geekstogo.com/click%20counter/click.php?id=1

Symantec (more info on registry values you might need to clear): http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2005-042316-2917-99&tabid=3