1. Yes!

2. Malware detection software, i.e. Spybot, SuperAntiSpyware, AVG Spyware to name a few. Can be configured to operate at realtime, or as most do configure it to be on-demand.

3. Yes, they are called keyloggers.

DA

1-Yes

2-A Scan like spybot search & Destroy can be effective to start with I would recommend on line scans next, panda active scan. House Call, Kaspersky, If you think you are infected their is a special tool called SDFIX used by Malware removal folks this tool targets a lot of Trojans. Running a scan called hijackthis will show the Trojan 80% of the time, listed in the 04 Entries... It's a must tool if you think you have something...

3- Depending on the Trojan their capable of anything, some can just be annoying pop ups, some will try and take your personal information and download it to a another site, that's why the firewall is important so when the Trojan gets in the firewall will block it from contacting most of the time. Remember a Trojan is a computer program and can be programmed to do anything like turn all security off...

4- Do you think you have one? And why?

And this definition:

A simple example of a Trojan horse would be a program named "waterfalls.scr" where its author claims it is a free waterfall screensaver. When run, it instead unloads hidden programs, commands, scripts, or any number of commands with or without the user's knowledge or consent. Malicious Trojan Horse programs are often used to circumvent protection systems in effect creating a vulnerable system to allow unauthorized access to the user's computer. Non-malicious Trojan Horse programs are used for managing systems, deploying software, surveillance, and forensics.

You ask, "Do I think I have one?"

I don't know. Everything is working OK as far as I can see. But some time ago a pop-up appeared saying that I had encountered malware and that I should use "Ultimate Cleaner" to get rid of it. The pop-up looked like something from Microsoft, so I assumed it was a good service of the company. I then clicked "OK" for the cleanup. After a moment or two a new window popped up with around a hundred "infections" shown in a log. It suggested that I pay some $29 or so for the "Ultimate Cleaner" which would get rid of the bad stuff. I was immediately suspicious. After a bit of research I learned that Ultimate Cleaner is a malware scam. I don't know if my actions had allowed it into my computer or not, and I have not seen any visible problems.

Second cause for concern: Yesterday, an alert appeared from Trend micro (my anti virus program) warning me of a trojan horse "ht----" something or other from the site I was viewing. I immediately killed the web page I was viewing and ran a scan on TrendMicro antivirus program which showed nothing. I doubt if this second occasion downloaded anything, but I wonder.

RB

Here's free scan of Superantispyware remove everything it finds. Let us know what it finds, you also may consider House Call by Trend Micro, google House call. House call is a long scan......

SuperAntispy will run on you system when you download it's a good program but know need for it to run if you already have spyware running when your done with stop it from running or un install really no need to have more then 1 spyware program running.

Of course update your own Anti Virus & scan..

Let us know..

Here is a link that might be useful: Superantispyware

Please check your add/remove programs for "Ultimate Cleaner" if found remove it..

I've been tinkering with AVG Anti-Spyware for the last week or so. I am relying on the reputation of AVG at this time as I have not formed an opinion on its effectiveness. It is user friendly and has regular updates.

I would recommend you do a H/D maintenance as part of this could be cookie generated.

I regularly recommend CCleaner. It is more effective than the on-board Microsoft utility. Just don't change any configuration settings after you install it unless you know what you are doing. I have never heard of a complaint when using the default settings. However, I have when people become aggressive.

DA

You need a good AV I use AVG Free also Avast, but you also need to run it through your entire PC...trouble is ppl have them and think that's it, but Noooo! you need to actually have it scan your PC from time to time.

That waterfall ad pops up just about everytime I visit this site. What can I do about that?