[Revel]

I have had some very bad things happen while using internet explorer. Book marks added. Home page changed. Icons place on the desktop. Javascrip windows that you can't escape from. Multiple windows opening up by the dozens. Even the taskbar disapears. Norton and Zone alarm don't stop it. Only Cntrl-alt-delete and close internet explorer. I am have been left shaken by the experience. Using Netscape with java script turned off does not allow this to happen. Sadly there are a growing number of websites that do not work with that configuration which is why I am forced to use IE on occasion. But that can be a very scary experience. The hackers seem to have a fix on it.

[lentulusgracchus]

Javascrip windows that you can't escape from. Multiple windows opening up by the dozens.

Sounds like you've paid a visit to King of Prussia.

Open Task Manager (CONT+ALT+DEL) and kill the windows and processes there.

Then go download Diskwasher and purge with that, or EvidenceEliminator ($120), they will blow off most/all of the spy/scumware. Add ZoneAlarm and SpyBot or AdAware as per previous posts. Also visit ZDNet.com and Tucows.com and do a search on Trojans: PestControl and other software similar to SpyBot is available there, most of it shareware of commercial warez. You can visit PC Magazine's online for comparo reviews of these apps:

Link Here to Review Trojan-Busting Goodies.

[Jim Noble]

I have just gotten my first Windows system (XP), and, WOW, everything you say is right on! It's AMAZING what was on my system after a month.

I had Internet Explorer hijacked by a porn site, and it took me two days to figure out how to stop it. Spybot S&D found 49 trojans.

I totally believe that illegal material can be on your HD without your putting it there.

BTW, this has NEVER happened with my various Mac systems, including OS X with MSIE-Mac.