Hi While I was cleaning out my PC last night I found a load of files in the 'temporary internet files' folder under C:\documents and settings\<my name>\local settings. A lot of these files and web pages are pronographic in nature and weren't put there by me. I know that probably sounds like a line, but I use firefox and therefore cannot understand why sites and files I've never visited are appearing in that folder (which as I understand it is only used by IE) I've also got a ton of crap in the 'Temp' folder, also located under the \local settings folder. Bits of movies I've never seen, but also .exes I don't recognise. I'm fairly sure I've got some sort of virus/spyware/whatever that's lurking behind the scenes, particularly because I am not running any antivirus, antispyware or any firewall at all. I only use the PC for downloading, and so I have nothing on there I need to protect or secure, hence my lack of protection. Does anyone know of a virus or adware that might add random websites or files to the PC ? I'm not too bothered about cleaning it, it's due for a rebuild anyway, but I was just wondering if there is a program that could cause this odd behaviour ? I know it isn't anyone else using my PC to surf dodgy sites cuz I live on my own!! cheers

any websites or software that do what???? install malicious software on your pc. Well, take Spybot-Search and Destroy that currently blocks about 26600 different malicious kinds of software. (and thats one anti-spyware program) so you are probably talking about 100 000's.

Like computeralien said, there's potentially thousands of nasty bits of software out there that could recreate the symptoms you're describing. I've come across this problem since way back in the windows95 days so its nothing new. If you're not protected in anyway then forget trying to track down whatever it is causing it because you most likely have dozens of viruses or adware programs. Just go for the rebuild like you said. Craig

DAM, I'd love to scan that machine! Cornell University did a study, totally unprotected computer with XP fresh install, let it run unattended for 1 week. Result: After 1 week the machine was totally clogged with garbage, trojans and viruses galore, machine had become a mass mailing bot. The average machine is probed over 400 times a day! An unprotected PC is easily compromised within 15 minutes. Don't even try to clean it! Format, reinstall and this time protect the thing! _________________________ The internet is no longer a toy, it's a COMBAT ZONE!

Sorry in this day and age I find that a little irresponsible as you yourself can be spreading viruses to other people . Everything you need to protect your machine can be had free , antivirus, antispyware, firewall etc.,..

Now my two cents... :P Martin Crandall, your post reminds me of something that happened to me last week. While installing a new corporate pc with xp, I set it up on the internet, and decided to download updates and install software. I installed protection last. To my surprise by the time I installed the protection, I was already clogged with spyware, downloaders, and viruses. I was simply amazed at the speed of the attacks. (less than 8 hours) I reccomend that virus/spyware protection comes first! vipergg, I completly agree with you. There are a few things I noted in Rich's post: I'm fairly sure I've got some sort of virus/spyware/whatever that's lurking behind the scenes, particularly because I am not running any antivirus, antispyware or any firewall at all. Seems to me, you already know the answer here... I am wondering what you are attempting to accomplish by using a pc soley to download and not using any kind of protection. I will take a shot in the dark, and say you are downloading large files, and are hoping to boost your downloading speed and overall pc performance by neglecting to have a bunch of programs running. You could tweak your setup alittle, to boost your current performance/speed AND keep your download speed. I recommend you do the following: First off update windows, there is no reason at all not to. This is essential to prevent further security flaws. Keep it up-to-date! To update windows goto start button-->control panel-->then click windows update. Ok once updates are done, you will need to install some programs to secure your pc, and if your lucky you can still get rid of those nasty programs. Download, install, update, and run the following programs. All are free and are available from www.freeware.com AdAware SpyBot search and destroy AVG Antivirus Zone Alarm firewall SpyWare Blaster Microsoft AntiSpyware (have to get this from microsoft website, google search for it, it will come up) These programs should locate a bunch of spyware and garbage on your pc. Once you have downloaded them, installed them, updated them, and ran them, you can then download this tool also from freeware.com Startup Control Panel It installs to the control panel. To locate it after install goto start button-->control panel-->startup icon. Disable everything that you see checked, this program will prevent other programs from booting when your pc starts. ---------- After that, when you reboot, your pc will be completly clean, and load only the operating system, and no other programs. Your pc will be running at close to 100%. If you now download, it will be at your system peak performance. Then, every so often, scan the pc.