As far as malware goes on your machine you are clean as for your remaining taskbar Issue I would go here and start yourself a thread where there will be experts in that field to assist you to resolve this issue.
Just for my peace of mind have you a firewall, is it bundled with norton security suite?
Well done!
This is my normal post for when you are clear - which you now are - or seem to be. Please advise of any problems you still have :
Now that you are clean, please follow these simple steps in order to keep your computer clean and secure:
- Re hide your system files. To do so, please follow the steps below:
- Double-click My Computer.
- Click the Tools menu, and then click Folder Options.
- Click the View tab.
- Put a check by
Hide file extensions for known file types. - Under the
Hidden files
folder, select
Do not show hidden files and folders.
- Check
Hide protected operating system files. - Click Apply, and then click OK.
- Make your Internet Explorer more secure - This can be done by following these simple instructions:
- From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
- Click once on the Security tab
- Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
- Click once on the Custom Level button.
- Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
- Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
- Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
- Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
- Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
- Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
- When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
- If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
- Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
- Update your Anti Virus Software - It is imperitive that you update your Anti virus software at least once a week (Even more if you wish). If you do not update your anti virus software then it will not be able to catch any of the new variants that may come out.
- Use a Firewall - I can not stress how important it is that you use a Firewall on your computer. Without a firewall your computer is susceptible to being hacked and taken over. Simply using a Firewall in its default configuration can lower your risk greatly. For an article on Firewalls and a listing of some available ones see the link below:
Computer Safety On line - Software Firewalls
- Visit Microsoft's Windows Update Site Frequently - It is important that you visit http://www.windowsupdate.com regularly. This will ensure your computer has always the latest security updates available installed on your computer. If there are new updates to install, install them immediately, reboot your computer, and revisit the site until there are no more critical updates.
- Install Spybot - Search and Destroy - Install and download Spybot - Search and Destroy with its TeaTimer option.
This will provide real-time spyware & hijacker protection on your computer alongside your virus protection. You should also scan your computer with program on a regular basis just as you would an anti virus software. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
- Install Ad-Aware - Install and download Ad-Aware. You should also scan your computer with the program on a regular basis just as you would an anti virus software in conjunction with Spybot. A tutorial on installing & using this product can be found here:
Instructions for - Spybot S & D and Ad-aware
- Install SpywareBlaster - SpywareBlaster will added a large list of programs and sites into your Internet Explorer settings that will protect you from running and downloading known malicious programs. A article on anti-malware products with links for this program and others can be found here:
Computer Safety on line - Anti-Malware
- Update all these programs regularly - Make sure you update all the programs I have listed regularly. Without regular updates you WILL NOT be protected when new malicious programs are released.
To find out more information about how you got infected in the first place and some great guidelines to follow to prevent future infections you can read this article by Tony Klein.
Stand up and be Counted.
Regards danNOW is the time you can start to hit back at the people who infected you.
Please take the time to go and complain - that forum has a topic for your infection which is ................ please post as a reply, you do not need to register to do so (but you can if you wish). It will also have a list of other places you can go to to register your complaint, depending on the country you are resident in. Please read the topics and complain, it is only with such complaints to goverment or government agances that something will get done.