You visit a web page... and it may try to install crap onto the computer. The anti-virus software publishers are having a hard time keeping up.
Some anti-virus software like Avast has a Web Shield that runs the web page coding through a filter as you are viewing the web pages.
Other anti-virus software like AVG-Free version will only detect the virus or malicious program AFTER it is installed. -- unless the Web Component is installed. Hrmpf...
So the whole solution is... whatever *thinks* is getting installed will simply disappear after you quit out of Internet Explorer.
Also note there is an icon for SafeSpace in the bottom right corner of the screen, next to the digital clock. SafeSpace can be turned on or off at will.
When you WANT to goto http://WindowsUpdate.Microsoft.Com and install updates, you will need to right-click on the icon, then left-click on "Quick Launch outside of SafeSpace, then choose Internet Explorer. This runs IE outside of SafeSpace.
Same with Outlook Express.
! You can have two copies of IE open at the same time. One inside SafeSpace and the other outside of SafeSpace.
Microsoft publishes their Security Fixes on the 2nd Tuesday each month. I don't download anything until a day or two later - after the security fixes are debugged. : )
This way, you can control WHEN any software is installed. Nice.
People who live out in the boonies and have only a Dialup connection are at a disadvantage... because Windows and all the software has become so large.
As a result, I invite the people to bring their computers here to the 1USA office (or a Repair Shop in their Local Area) for an "Annual Computer Check-Up" which includes downloading all the WindowsUpdates and security fixes.
I have created a LIST of things that the Tekkie should check for.
1USA has a fix for that slow internet service too.
BarryZ