The single best thing you can do to stop malware from causing a problem with
your computer is to run as a standard user. Using a different browser or
different email program may help because the alternate programs you use may
not be targeted as much as OE or IE. All programs have bugs. Most programs
now access the Internet in some way. This gives malware many vectors to
attack your computer. Even anti-malware programs can be targeted and used as
a vector to install malware. Running as a standard user mitigates the
attacks by not allowing the malware access to system files or system
registry hives. It can still install but only in the context of the current
user. Most malware expects administrator access and fails when it isn't
available.

Unfortunately running as a standard user is not really an option with XP
because Microsoft has encouraged sloppy programming since Windows 95. Many
programs expect administrator privileges and fail without them. This is
where Vista is exciting. It allows, actually enforces via uac, programs to
run in the context of a standard user even if the user is logged on as an
administrator. This will help enormously in the fight against malware. If
you have ever worked in an environment where everyone runs as a standard
user you would know how easy it is to clean most malware infections in this
environment if they even succeed in installing at all.

--
Kerry Brown

Charani wrote:
> On Sun, 19 Nov 2006 09:18:24 GMT, cmsix wrote:
>
>> Is it fair to say that the best two single things you can do to
>> protecte youself are turn off reading html email and use a browser
>> that doesn't say Internet Explorer?
>>
>> Inquiring cmsix wants everyone's opinion.
>
> Yes, probably, but not those alone. I don't use OE for mail either.