Interesting to note those particular nasties. Yep, these freebies are not always perfect (similar for some commercial software).
Just the same, I'm still running W98SE (pause for laughter) yet have never had any malware/trojan/virus activated on this machine - since 1999. I only use freebies but am conscious of good browsing habits. I get around on the web but perhaps the line "Where they came from in first place i dont know" is a bit telling.
I'm probably going against the view of the majority of XP users but I NEVER have anything like scheduled tasks or automatic updates going on. That way I am more aware of external activity and changes (not of my own doing) which I immediately attempt to track down.
OK, the weekly manual update syndrome might not amuse many but it has certainly paid off.
I do use "ScriptSentry" (freebie) and assume this is also OK for WinXP. Script on dubious websites is a good way to get "out of the blue" infections and this program gives you the option to stop them in their tracks, without the encumbrance of trying to browse with script disabled.
I also clear TIF's before closing down or rebooting. By various means this can be arranged to be just a couple of mouse clicks. OK, I've no system restore but I've never needed it and I'm still on the original 1999 format too.
DerekW
