Multiple messages - multiple infections??

The computer is running smoothly.

You might be able to point me at some current advice on settings for keeping windows XP and IE clean. eg, is running ActiveX really OK?

I have Spybot, AVG and Ewido, Ad-aware, Defender, and others mentioned above.

I may be ready to go to Firefox.

Thanks for all the great help.

 

These are the safest settings for active x controls:

Go to Internet Options/Security/Internet, press 'default level', then OK.
Now press "Custom Level."
In the ActiveX section, set the first two options ("Download signed and unsigned ActiveX controls) to 'prompt', and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe" to 'disable'


Clean out system restore by turning system restore off and then back on:

To turn off system restore, on the Desktop, right click on My Computer and click on Properties.
Click the System Restore tab.
Check Turn off System Restore.
Click Apply and then click OK.

Restart your computer, turn System Restore back on and create a restore point.




IE-SPYAD :
puts over 5000 sites in your restricted zone.
https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm


The IE hosts file blocks ads, banners, cookies, web bugs, and most hijackers.
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm

Install Javacool's SpywareBlaster It will protect you from all spyware in it's database by blocking installation of their ActiveX objects.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html


Use one antivirus and one firewall

I would personally recommend these:

Free antivirus
http://www.free-av.com/

Free firewall
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/