[ArnPrdu]

The problem is gone, completely, and everything else seems to run a bit smoother as well.



Thanks very very much! This kinda makes me worry about my status on computer security/defence in general, but I'll plan on running that online scan every now and again...

[evilfantasy]

Glad it worked.

A few more suggestions.

Use the Secunia Software Inspector to check for out of date software.
Out of date software has security vulnerabilities that malware can exploit.

• Click Start Now
• Check the box next to Enable thorough system inspection.
• Click Start
• Allow the scan to finish and scroll down to see if any updates are needed.
• Update anything listed.

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Go to Microsoft Windows Update and get all critical updates.

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Make sure all of your security programs are up to date and run scans with them regularly.

I suggest using WOT - Web of Trust. WOT is a free Internet security addon for your browser. It will keep you safe from online scams, identity theft, spyware, spam, viruses and unreliable shopping sites. WOT warns you before you interact with a risky website. It's easy and it's free.

SpywareBlaster - Secure your Internet Explorer to make it harder for these ActiveX programs to run on your computer. Also stop certain cookies from being added to your computer when running Mozilla based browsers like Firefox.
* Using SpywareBlaster to protect your computer from Spyware and Malware
* If you don't know what ActiveX controls are, see here

Protect yourself against spyware using the Immunize feature in Spybot - Search & Destroy. Guide: Use Spybot's Immunize Feature to prevent spyware infection in real-time. Note: To ensure you have the latest Immunizations always update Spybot - Search & Destroy before Immunizing. Spybot - Search & Destroy FAQ

Check out Keeping Yourself safe On The Web for tips and free tools to keep you safe in the future.

Also see Slow Computer? It May Not Be Malware for free cleaning/maintenance tools to help keep your computer running smooth.