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I have a brand new computer as of today. I am running Norton virus scan right now for the first time and it has already found one virus!

I've run adware twice today and had to clean up about 40 things already!

This is just nuts!

I don't know what to tell you. Spyware can be anywhere. If you've installed some new hardware, like a keyboard or a printer or something then Spyware can sneak into your computer that way. It's not exactly illegal, but I think it's unethical. (Logitech is guilty of this practice)

You are right, it is nuts. We can and should use the anti spyware utilities. But the people who install this stuff should also go to jail. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go directly to jail. And stay there.

Minimum requirements for going on-line these days.. Load and install the following..

Outpost Firewall.. ( you will have to indicate to this program what applications (programs) you "trust" to go online or send / recieve on line.. )
Alternative: Activate Microsoft Firewall.. ( not as effective as 3rd party firewalls in my personal opinion )

Spyware Guard: Run before going online....Runs full-time.. ( certain amount of set-up involved.. preferences, etc.. )

Win Patrol 7 : Latest Version.. Add to start up programs. Runs full time..( You will have to make settings and preferences known.. It will ask you if certain software is OK to run or not.. )

Ad-Aware SE.. latest version.. ( Run at end of online sessions.. )
Spybot Search & Destroy... ( Run at end of online sessions.. )
Spyware Blaster.. ( Run BEFORE going online.. It protects your system while you are browsing.. )
CW_Shredder.. This searches for and destroys "cool web" spyware.. there are literally thousands of variations on this spyware, thus it's own specialty program..
( note: the present program is the LAST FREE VERSION.. from what I understand, the author has sold the rights to a commercial vendor.. )

Get AVG anti-virus.. the FREE version outperforms Norton and MacAfee, but even it doesn't "clean" everything..

Do not use Internet Explorer..
If you MUST, turn off Java, JavaScript, ActiveX, etc.. Set ALL such "extras" to PROMPT, or OFF.. Remember to do so in Security Settings as well as the "Advanced" Internet settings.

Get Mozilla, ( Browser and e-mail client combined )
Or Mozilla FIREFOX.. (recommended.)
And for E-Mail, Mozilla THUNDERBIRD.. Firefox does not have an integrated email program, it is a stand-alone browser..
There are other browsers, like OPERA that some recommend.. It's up to you..
Likewise, there are other e-mail clients, like EUDORA available..

All E-Mail clients should be set to indicate whether attachments are included, but should NEVER automatically open Attachments..
Be sure to set your e-mail client to "filter" JUNK MAIL.. Some programs have a "learning mode" that will recognize Junk Mail once it has been "tagged" as such.. You can also set the program to automatically delete such Junk..

Set up a "DOWNLOADS" Folder..
NEVER Download anything without knowing EXACTLY where it is going to end up on your computer..
NEVER download anything that is "self executing"..
ALWAYS SCAN EVERYTHING FOR VIRUS AS SOON AS YOU ARE FINISHED DOWNLOADING..
EVERYTHING.. EVERYTHING..

Last but not least...
ALWAYS assume that everyone you know with a computer and your e-mail address .....
IS RUNNING AN INFECTED COMPUTER..

Be paranoid.. Be very paranoid..

And have a nice day..

I'm not joking or being sarcastic here.. I mean every word of this.. Trust No One.. Their e-mail is probably infected.. their computer is probably infected..