For years I have never came accross any big viruses or spyware problems until last week... somehow a file downloaded on my computer and it was a complete mess. So far, it looks like I got most of it... but for some reason Spyboy keeps showing all of these tracking cookies: http://img73.echo.cx/my.php?image=12ia1.jpg Can someone please tell me how I get rid of these? I've ran Spybot, MS Spyware, Adaware Professional, HijackThis!, and a few other programs but Spybot is the only one showing problems. I was going to just do a clean install of XP, but I have too many programs and media that I would not know how to back up. If you could help with this, I would appreciate it. Thanks

These are all common tracking cookies. They aren't usually considered any more than an annoyance. I usually delete them manually after any web surfing session. In Firefox click on tools - options - privacy, expand the cookies entry. Make sure there is a check in the box 'from originating site only'. The click on 'view cookies', highlight any you don't need and click remove cookie. Note some cookies are worth keeping such as the ones from this site that remember your logon and password etc. It's worth finding a way to backup. Any file you don't want to lose should be stored on at least one other disk such as a CD.

Ok, so all of those cookies are completely normal and will not slow my pc down in any way?

I didn't say not to get rid of them. Your spybot report reads similar to my router block list. They will slow you down by just the tiniest bit.

There's an option in FireFox to only allow cookies while the browser is open...meaning, you you close the browser, any set cookie is removed. Some web sites need cookies to function properly...this allows such sites to work okay...but the cookies are removed as soon as you close the browser. As far as keeping historial info for later sessions....for me...having a "clean machine" is worth the few seconds it takes to enter my login name, etc...whenever I access the sites. Additionally...I think you can possibly poke around in the "exceptions" feature an possible allow cookies to be saved for certain sites...if such is a huge issue. HTH