I found this strange file in my C:\ directory called command.com Could this be a virus? Okay, I'm just venting here. All these questions about winnt\system32 files is driving me crazy!! Stop going through your system folders if you dont know what you are doing people. Download a virus checking program and use it! Geez.

Actually, you have a point.

I have Windows machines with only a firewall and no AV (or even the latest Windows updates, around 2 years out-of-date - nothing can propogate on them to anything else, let alone get on them in the first place) which have never been infected. True, I don't use Outlook or IE on them, but its not like I paid for the alternatives.

This whole security craze with Windows is partly a joke, and partly sad. However insecure Windows may be by default, it does not take any sort of technical genius to keep it and malicious code separate, while still retaining the advantages of networking. Period.

I have never looked through the system folder in NT/2000/XP. I haven't even opened it.

Command is probably one of your system files but download this great free Anti Virus program that does allow you to update from the net. You can set it to scan your email in and out. It also installs on the context menu where you can scan just a folder.

AVG Anti Virus
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php

Geez Mint Chip, learn how to a joke. That's the second post now. Have you no sense of humor at all?!

Lloyd

P.S. I have AVG. It is a good program.