Snidely's comments about mainstream web sites are right on target. Such sites are usually run by knowledgeable webmasters who know how to keep their site secure and are prompt to take action if the site is attacked. Infected ads can happen, though and here is where a little common sense can pay a huge dividend. When you think you might want to click on an ad, make a decision about how important the product/service being offered is to you. If it is important, make an effort to locate the provider's web site yourself rather than depending on the ad to take you there. If you think that's too much work, then think about the potential downsides of an infected computer which could include fraud and/or identity theft. Persons who try to practice safe computing generally don't stumble into trouble. Persons who refuse to practice safe computing don't have to go looking for trouble...it will find them soon enough. This post was edited by azinoh on Sun, Feb 17, 13 at 9:36

Why not create a folder inside My Documents for all your downloads and set the pointer to it so all downloads go there automatically? I do this as I have no desire to clutter my desktop with all that stuff. The separate folder enables me to find any download quickly if needed to install or just delete.

Thanks Mikie, I appreciate the link and answer. She seems to have some aversion to using Firefox, though I can't figure why. I tried to explain how easy it is to use, the explanations for what things are and how to use them are understandable, but she won't listen, and installed a different browser. Don't know why she asks for advice then refuses to take it. I gave her lots of options for browser, malware detection, virus detection, and she still managed to get a bunch of crap on her new computer. Don't understand how. The Norton is a 90day pre-install. I think I'm going to give up on the advice. I have a new computer also, and have not downloaded crapware doing installs of this that and the other. I guess I know a little more and understand more of what I do know. Thanks again for the help.

Thank you rc...will watch for it.