If you are interested and willing to search (Google or Bing), check out some of the articles on AGDIA, which is a company that makes tests for viruses and other diseases of plants. You can see the PCR and ELISA tests that are available for roses (and for many other plants.) Do you know the word "Synergy"? Not the new age version, but the science based synergy- there are some interesting plant pathology sites out there as well. Briefly, Synergy means that diseaseA has X symptoms and disease B has Y symptoms, but when a plant has diseases A&B, the plant will not have a simple mix of X and Y symptoms, but often will also have new (call them Z) symptoms that may be worse that the sum of X and Y. Where does that leave rose growers? It leaves rose growers wanting to keep their plants as healthy as possible so that no even more damaging symptoms appear. Years ago a simple study was done in California roses. Under optimum conditions, roses with a single virus (as tested for back then) produced ten to fifteen per cent fewer blooms. That, economically, was reason to keep the plants as clean as possible. And to the root to root transmission: Google Scholar papers by Giolino (author), roses, and the time period last ten years.

on my personal windows boxes I run Avast, zone alarm pro firewall, superantispyware and malwarebytes (run scans weekly), spywareblaster at a minimum. avast! antivirus Home Edition you must follow the directions and register it but it is free the 2 pdf files on the left side of the page should be read or printed for full directions on use. SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware free but has option to purchase (well worth the price) if you purchase it does have an automatic feature. SpywareBlaster this one is a must have, no scans to run, just hit the update button once a week then the enable all protection button, and it sits there and keeps bad things off your pc. also free Firewalls good info, there are a few free firewalls including zonealarm, however anytime you download and install things be very very careful and read each step and if it ask if you want to install extra stuff like toolbars be sure you uncheck those you do not need or want that stuff, zonealarm free has started doing that and including the ask toolbar under a different name you Do NOT want it. on all my computers I also install belarc advisor which will give you a full list of everything on your pc, I usually print out a list so I can refer to it should I need to, very very hand tool. and free Belarc And definitely install and run regularly the PSI to check to see if your program is fully updated or if it needs updating. Secunia Personal Software Inspect and of course keep all windows critical updates done as they come out. If you will be using Vista you can use the built in windows firewall it is fairly adequate rather than a separate one. If you do not have these on your current pc I would suggest getting them. the fact that you have recurring infections means your current products are not fully cleaning them out, malwarebytes will help with that. And being safe in your user habits is key, don't visit sites known to carry infections including social networking sites, don't open email attachments from anyone. when you have an infection that you know is there and you are not able to remove come ask for help I can take you to one of the support help forums that specialize in removing hard to remove infections. Do occasional online scans to double check your AV. housecall is good and so is this one FREE Online Virus Scan I also advise the use of firefox as a browser instead of IE.

I have installed, used and recommended the following programs. Uninstall all other Anti-virus programs, spyware hunters etc. Download and install the following (all free, by the way) 1. AVG Free Antivirus 2. Lavasoft Adaware (Personal edition-free) 3. Spybot Search and Destroy 4. Spyware Blaster (that name only..no variations) 5. Crap Cleaner 6. A-squared 7. System Security Suite (that name only..no variations) 8. Index.dat suite Use these..you will have no problems. Hope this helps.. txKen

It is extremely unfortunate that we have lost one of the best long time security help forums on the net, CastleCops. Much good information is now lost. I was a member there for many many years and am sad to see it gone. Other good forums with many of those members are now available which is good news. Paul and Robin did an excellent job with CastleCops, I wish them well and will miss that place. Another very good "list" site I often recommend is Gizmo's site. He has lists to many types of programs not just security so you will have to go to the appropriate area to find what you want. Gizmo's List - The Best Freeware Reviewed and Rated