mirar loaded itself while i was away from my computer. is it a virus? if it is, how do i delete it?

Answer 1

Mirar = a virus.

For more information & how to remove: http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=mirar&ei=UTF-8&fr=moz2

Answer 2

It's an Adware program. I've not encountered it myself, so I cannot tell you how to remove it, there is information about it in the first link in the sources section.

3 ways to remove this starting with my preferred way and moving down --
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1.
my standard approach to removing malware and even viruses (it works most of the time for me) --

I usually use Spybot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft Adaware SE Personal for Adware and spyware programs. Additonally a virus scanner. (download these from www.download.com)

I run the scanners first to update them, then reboot into safe mode and run a complete scan through with each of my scanners. Because you are in safe mode, this usually is able to remove the infection.
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2. do this if your own attempts with a normal remover fail.
The second link below has a link in it that claims to remove mirar. I do not know if it does.
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3. and lastly, do this after all else fails...
There are several sites out there for assisting in removing Malware software (malware is loosely defined to mean adware and spyware.. although, I think malware should include everything from virus to trojans to spyware and adware..). These sites usually have you use a program to generate a list of start up files, then upload this list to their web-page. Then they have volunteers who review these files and advise you on how to properly remove the infection.

This 3rd one can take a few days as you have to post the information requested, then wait for someone to respond, then try what they say and repost the results, etc...