still using IE - questions

[AMG]

Hi all, I just joined. I first want to start by saying I use IE. Now my questions relate to how secure am I, but let me tell you my set-up, and tell you what I`ve seen in the past.

I have XP SP 2, and my computer is set to receive updates automatically. I use a router which I am told is a good hardware firewall. ( before I had it, I used only a software firewall ) Now my 2 computers won`t talk to each other with software firewalls on, so one is intermittantly on and off, and then other`s is always off.

I never download free tools, games or other demos which I am told where spyware can come from. Here is the thing, I do go to bad sites quite often. I disable active scripting and active x controls are set to prompt. I would like to know if I am secure, I never have been infected with spyware or adware since this setup ( a few years ago, when i installesd a file sharing program, eventually my computer would barely run - and I reformattted all and never installe anything like that again )

I have read that maybe I am not doing enough, but if that was the case, wouldn`t I be infected by now, or maybe I am and don`t know it. But the computers seem to be perfoming extremely well. I do have norton antivirus on both as well, but I know they do little or nothing for spyware-adware. I run adaware, and it always wants to delete some cookies, nothing surpirsing there, but I have no reason to believe I have anything running on my system.

I guess what I am asking is if I am not fully secure, why am I not infected, don`t get me wrong, I don`t want to be, but I like to be sure I`m doing all I can and not stop suing IE for any other reason other than people suspect I`ll be safer, I seem to be secure. Is it that most peope just don`t know how effective disabling active scripting can be in protecting your computer. Please, any advice or insight is greatly appreciated. And if there are otehr steps I can take to guarantee m security and still use IE, please let me know.

Thanks

[Failed]

Really anyone is suseptable (bad spelling?) to spyware. I didnt see anything in there about the AV program you use? These help a lot in eliminating this too. A hardware firewall on its own isnt the greatest, most people who use firewalls use both.

I use SP1a, AVGfree and occasionally Spybot and I never find anything with spybot. I also use crapcleaner, I swear its the best program ever made.

Firefox is much more secure than IE but recently it had annouced it recieved 10% of the market share so I am sure it will be getting attention sometime. Still will never have as many as IE since IE is MS and people dont like MS.

Dunno, hope that helped a little.

[AMG]

in the fourth paragraph, I mentioned I have norton on both computers, thx for your reply.

[Failed]

try crapcleaner, it can clean out lots of stuff and fix registry errors. If you scan with spybot/adaware norton and dont find anything you should be fine. Everyone is really paranoid about virus's/spyware...if its not effecting your system dont worry bout it so much

ccleaner.com

[AMG]

thx, ill check it out

[Lord_Infamous]

..just get firefox.. u have nothing to lose..

[Failed]

I agree with that, <3 firefox...when I reformat my comp practically every month I hate when I have to use IE to download FF lol

[EXreaction]

Ya, try firefox, and opera if you want, they are both awsome programs!

...and for norton, I would get rid of it...use avast 4 home instead...it is much better than norton, and best yet, it is FREE!

And instead of windows's firewall, I would get something better...sygate personal firewall...much better, more powerfull, and much easier to control!

We have a section on TechZilla for free av/firewalls/spyware removers/etc...there are links in there where you can download all that good stuff...
TechZilla

[Micky758]

Spywareblaster is very good at preventing spyware from getting on your computer in the first place.

[Failed]

spywareblaster, isnt that the MS one? I liked it but you have to pay for it otherwise it doesnt update