eStart is a Browser Hijacker disguised as a search enhancing toolbar for Internet Explorer.  It was first discovered on July 22 of 2005.  It comes bundled with the software “Go MP3.”

This program has spyware capabilities.  It monitors your keyword entries in Internet Explorer in order to deliver targeted advertisements.  It opens a side bar with “related links” when you enter keywords, or when a link you click has its targeted keywords.  It also tries to figure out your email address by searching your registry.  If it finds your email address, it sends it to a remote server to be processed for targeted spam mailings.

As a Browser Hijacker, eStart replaces your normal links toolbar with one whose links all point to its home page.  This home page is a directory site called “TopSites.”  Because of the HTML of the toolbar, eStart may also be able to create a links bar floating at the bottom of the screen, just above where the toolbar typically goes.

If you have been infected with eStart, you should remove it post haste.  While its spyware capabilites are relatively limited, it can get you involuntarily signed up for a spam mailing list.  Additionally, it can slow down your computer’s performance and cause browser crashes.  We highly recommend using SpyZooka to eliminate this threat.