[Calvinist_Dark_Lord]

Using Firefox and a purchased version of AVG 7.5, I managed to get the Vundo rootkit virus. That virus was a royal pain to remove.

And IE8 would have prevented that from happening...HOW?

Seeing as how you would have had to download the file, your problem was probably the ID10T interface on the keyboard/mouse.

That one has bit me on the @$$ a couple of times.

[fso301]

And IE8 would have prevented that from happening...HOW?

I don't know that any IE would have prevented it. My point was that using a fully up to date Firefox and up to date purchased version of AVG, I still got a really nasty virus.

Seeing as how you would have had to download the file, your problem was probably the ID10T interface on the keyboard/mouse.

In both cases where I got a Vundo infection, I wasn't downloading anything. I just opened a page, things slowed to a crawl and only after the damage had been inflicted did AVG start complaining.

I have heard that Vundo uses a Java exploit in which case, an embedded applet may have done the dirty deed.

Since then, I installed Registry Mechanic and have it constantly monitoring my registry. I don't know how well that additional defense works as I have not stepped on the Vundo landmine again.