how to get rid of Flashplayer(DashboardClient Internet plug-in)

I have had a problem for some time with a phantom noise on my Mac. This occurs on occasions, and as a result I usually keep my volume muted. When the noise occurs it comes up in Utilities/Activity Monitor as Flashplayer (DashboardClient Plugin). When I select it and 'Quit process' it stops (until it reoccurs sometime in the future). Recently I have cleared the browser cache with no success. I have deleted the plugin - but it still comes back. Has anyone else come across this problem?