Using AOL, need browser info and preventitive measures.

I promise, I looked and looked and couldn't find a subject like this.

I don't know much, as my question will reveal.

Is AOL it's own browser or does it use IE? I'm not having any spyware problems, that I know of, at least. I have McAffe AV. I just had a pretty big scare, I went to a recipe site, and a box came up asking if I wanted to "install the plug-in" It said it was a windows thing. I'm so sorry I didn't pay more attention, but a message at the bottom said that installing might harm computer, etc, etc. I had no intention of installing, and darned if I didn't click install rather than cancel.

I have no idea what it was, don't see anything new. It was not flash or java, or adobe, of that I'm sure, and a recipe site wouldn't need those anyway.

This computer has been absolutely clean for nearly a year, so I didn't have any spyware blockers or fixers on it. SOOOOO finally getting to the point, after I got scared about that "plug-in install" thingy, I decided I'd better install AD Ware....what ever that thing is at download.com, and it said it was only for certain browsers. AOL wasn't there.

Could a nasty spyware/dialer/whatever present itself as a plugin?
What do you recommend I install to protect myself? I am VERY careful, that is why my puter has been so safe so far, but this incident shook me up.

I immediately, by the way, clicked shut down, so don't know if anything installed or not.

Thanks for your help.

P.S. I had asked for help before for my work computer...that one is pretty much history, looks like it will be taken out and tossed. This is my home computer I am asking about now.

 

Yes, Some ISP's have there own browsers. To beging the general cleanup process please follow ALL the steps in this Sticky thread
READ ME FIRST BEFORE ASKING FOR SUPPORT: Basic Spyware, Trojan And Virus Removal

If you already have any of the programs linked in the tutorial please double check your version to make sure you have the latest one and that you have any/all updates for the programs.

After doing ALL of the above if you still have a problem:

Make sure you have HijackThis 1.99.1 and follow the guidelines on where to install it and how to post a log as an attachment. This is all covered in the sticky thread NO HIJACK THIS LOG FILES BEFORE READING THIS: HJT Tutorial & LOG File Posting

Now post a HijackThis log as an attachment to your message (Do not post the log inline). All running programs should be closed, including your web browser and e-mail. Please close these before running Hijack This!

To repeat: Do NOT run Hijack This from the Desktop, a temp folder, or a sub-folder of C:\Documents and Settings, or choose to run it directly from the downloaded ZIP file. Place it in its own folder, for example C:\Program Files\HJT


We are very busy here at MajorGeeks.Com PhilliePhan, Chaslang or myself with check back when time permits.!

 

Bjgerrick, All of that info has to do with already having an infection of some sort. I am saying that as far as I know I don't have any, at all. Lucky me.

I probably didn't make my questions really clear. I wanted to know if I could install adaware, because it doesn't say it works for AOL browser. And I wanted to know if any of these nasty spyware/dialers, etc show up as a plugin, and I wanted to know what are the best couple of things to download to protect me.

I thank you for your reply, and sorry I wasn't more clear. Believe me, I read the "read me before you ask" thingy about 15 times while trying to fix my work computer.

 

If you want to post a HJT log just so I can confirm your clean feel free to as these will show up there. Malware very well can show up as just about anything now days. Ad-Aware & SpyBot S&D should work for anything. If you want malware protection then I recommend SpySweeper, but its $30 a year. Trust me, its well worth it