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On a personal note, I am sorry I didn't stick around to help you on your thread. I actually landed on your thread, but stepped off to help another poster to the thread in PVT mail... It sounds to me as though you had a rootkit, and those must be handled differently than other things - If you don't kill the rootkit, which is hidden from the system, it will just continue to repopulate the bugs on your system. Happy you got it sorted.

Norton is CRAP. *PTOOEY*!!

More infected machines come across my bench with Norton onboard than any other thing. By an order of magnitude. It also uninstalls poorly, so other AV's won't install until one cleans up Norton's mess. If there is a single program on the entire planet I would most desire to lead folks away from, It would be Norton (though Internet Exploder would follow closely). Also McAfee and Trend PC-Cillin.

Kaspersky AV is the undisputed KING of Anti-virus software... Followed closely by Nod32 by Esset. Under them, F-Protect/F-Secure, BitDefender, Sophos, and AntiVir are all mighty and dependable.

Best bang-for-buck is an insignificant difference among them all for one machine...But for multiple computers: F-Protect. Their common license allows 5 computers for roughly 45/yr. For another 10 bucks, their corporate license ups that to ten computers. But if security is your main concern, Kaspersky is the year-for-year reliable monster in the house.

For FREE AV, ONLY Microsoft Security Essentials and AntiVir need apply. And since AntiVir lacks E-mail protection, MSE is really it. About half of my client base is having trouble financially, and are running MSE with very few problem cases returning. My own service boxes run Kaspersky, but my personal boxes (family) run MSE.

DO NOT use "Security Suites," no matter the brand name. These monolithic one-step-wonders are heavy on the system, intrusive, and less effective than a good multi-level defense using diverse tools.

Malwarebytes is a great tool, and is current king of the spyware tools. BUT, it is ONLY a spy-ware/ad-ware remover, not an antivirus. It should be used in conjunction with a serious antivirus, and should be on your box.

Spybot Search and Destroy is another AntiSpy tool that goes on every box that crosses my bench. Beside its use as a backup to Malwarebytes, it's passive immunization feature costs nothing in system resources, and it has other great tools (such as a robust startup control, easy ActiveX and BHO removal, etc) in advanced mode. NOTE: Turn OFF teatimer whitelist tool during install unless you know what a whitelist is for.

SuperAntiSpyware is also a great antispy tool, and can be used to replace Malwarebytes on systems with low resources.

In summary: An Antivirus, Spybot Search & Destroy, and EITHER Malwarebytes OR SuperAntiSpyware. Only the Antivirus needs to be running realtime, so one can use the free version of the other software, providing that you WILL run manual scans on your own (say weekly or bi-weekly).

Do *NOT* use Internet Exploder for surfing! ActiveX, A subcomponent of IE which allows for installation/running from the web (among other things), is hopelessly exploitable. Use Firefox for surfing (NEVER install the ActiveX helper add-on).

All Free, Excellent WIN protection:

COMODO Firewall
AVAST! Anti-Virus
Malwarebytes
Spybot S&D.
Firefox browser.

I’ve used this combo for years and put in on all my family’s computers (non-techies) and had virtually no problems. Every once in a while something will slip though - usually a new hijacker or something, and it gets cleaned up quickly.

No cost, daily updates, excellent protection over the years.

But if security is your main concern, Kaspersky is the year-for-year reliable monster in the house.

Isn't Kaspersky the engine Zone Alarm uses?

Thanks for your advice.

Active X controls in IE can be turned off from Internet Options > Security > Custom Level...