Jupiter Jones [MVP] wrote:
> Richard;
> At the time, there is nothing that meets your needs.
> There are products that claim to have it all but it is still best to
> use two or more spyware detectors and even occasionally get an online
> virus scan as a second opinion.
>
> Computer technology may never get to the state you want.
> Until there is, you will not be able to "install it and forget it,"
>
>

Computer's just aren't that way and would you want them to be? A computer
does what it is told. When it stops doing what it is told, then is it really
a computer?

As mentioned, Microsoft is working on "OneCare" which should eventually make
a lot of stuff easier. But nevertheless, OneCare will not be able to combat
dumb behaviour - it's just a fact of computing.

Now, with the no execution bit from Intel and AMD, coupled with Microsoft's
DEP [in Windows SP2 and later], you have solid basic protection from buffer
overrun exploits [including this recent one called the .WMF exploit]. If you
have a CPU with the no execute bit and have DEP enabled in Windows, a .WMF
exploit attempt will fail against your computer.

Good practices are bit inconvenient, but any computer user should be
following them regardless, and regardless whaever platform they are running.

Fortunately virus scanners can run in the background and most of these
scanner can be set to do a scan overnight. If the computer is newer, they
can be run anytime without affecting performance too much.