Help with virus protection, if you can, please!?

I was messing around on the computer, going places I shouldn't have been, I guess. I was warned that I needed to run my virus scan and anti-spy to clear it up. The problem is now, in my taskbar, I have an icon I can't get rid of--VirusProtectPro wants me to download it's product, and I have no need for it, because I am well protected without it. Is this a reliable company, or what? I ran a scan with it once, and it told me I was infected, and had to purchase their software to clean it up. I do not need their services, but they won't go away. Any ideas on how to remove it from my taskbar?

Help with virus protection, if you can, please!?spyware remove

lots of good solution are already posted. I guess there nothing more to add except that you should change your anti-virus and anti spyware softwares to a more reliable programs and at the same time offering real time protection. here's my top choice of security softwares:

1. Firewall - ZoneAlaram Pro (don't try the free demo. its useless)

- Outpost Firewall Pro

2. Anti-virus - NOD 32 antivirus system 2.70.39

3. Anti-spy - Webroot Spysweeper 5.3

4. Anti-Trojan - TrojanHunter 4.7

5. Browser Protection - Sandboxie

- Spyware blaster

6. Web Browser - Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6

items 1 to 4 are commercial products which can cost you a lot. but there are ways to acquire them if your conscience will let you. I don't know if its totally illegal or legal but you can torrent them at various torrent sites. First you must download a bit torrent client here... http://www.filehippo.com/download_utorre...