Hi, Alex.

>>I don't think the OS is the problem here. Of course, mainstreams OSs always receive more attacks
>
>The OS is what empowers you to use your computer. If it werent for the OS, there wouldnt be vulnerabilities. The fact that Windows was made 'so easy to use' is what makes it so vulnerable. Just check the CERT website, how many of all vulnerabilities are for Windows? Precisely because the majority are for Windows, and because it is the mainstream OS, I decided to use a different one to browse the net and to check my emails. I still develop and use Windows, but I keep my general browsing out of it or for the essential sites (there are none so far).

In that case, this could be considered even a worst annoyance. Having to install, find you way into, and get used to other OS just for this seems like a daunting task for me.

>> but things like SPAM are universal...
>
>Agreed, Spam is universal, but it is a minor annoyance compared to Spyware and Viruses, the main subject of the thread. To get rid of spam install a bayesian filtering program and that's it... Or, better yet, have several accounts: one for friends, family and colleagues, one for those 'reputable websites' and a third one that is free for all, an email you give to everybody you dont trust. I do this, and on my good address I don't get any spam.

As usual, this is subjective. In my case, my main address (the one for my own company) have being around for more than 10 years and it is impossible for me to change this address because I receive dozens of legitimate email every day in this account, in many cases from people which I don't remember or don't even know. I can't discard this address, nor change it. It's easy for me to change my phone number or even my office address.

But, alas, this address is so public that I receive hundreds of SPAM every single day. Fortunately, SmapBayes takes care of *most*, but some of them pass trough. However, there are still some petty annoyances, like having Outlook reporting unread mail (no matter it has been identified as SPAM and moved to a Junk folder).

>>I have all this controlled, but at an enormous cost in concentration and such... Arghhh...
>
>See! You are losing it already! I am not. <g>

Are you? 8-)

Regards,