Specific case example: my husband and I both have desktop computers at home. They both live behind our router, which protects us from hackers. On my computer, I run simply Norton Antivirus and typical programs like Word, IE, Netscape, and a few games. On his computer, he runs all the anti-spyware, anti-popup, anti-whatever software. His computer has more virus-like symptoms than mine. Coincidence? Maybe, but I know of many other examples like this. I honestly think that spyware and viruses piggyback on common anti-spyware type software. Do I have proof? Nope.
pup: Potentially unwanted program. It is a message I get from my anti-virus software.
http://vil.nai.com/vil/pups/configuration.aspx
Just curious if you googled those potentially dangerous searches that are the subject of this thread, what would happen on your computer. Maybe you are just visiting very 'safe' sites and your anti-virus software works fine. I am surprised you don't get pop-ups from some of the attachments on FR.
You don't want to be too naive about viruses either. My son, the computer guru showed me all kinds of (benign) programs such as adware that was resident on my hard drive. They are not viruses per se, but how did they get there. The definition of a "virus" is often different for different people, too. "Virus" doesn't have to mean invasive and harmful to the computer.