Outlook Express is more frequently targeted than many other prgrams, simply because more people use it and the vermin who create these vermin want to have a "large impact."

With any software related to main operating system and/or network communication, you need to keep up to date with the updates and "fixes" that are issued from time to time. There are a couple of service releases available for most versions of OE that you should have installed, if that's what you use.

A good anti-virus program is almost a requirement if you are using email. Norton and McAfee are probably the most popular "mainstream" products, and either is a good choice. The difficulty with "freeware," "shareware," or products that come from smaller producers is that you don't have as much "reputation" to rely on so there is more of a burden on you - the user - to try to decide whether they do all they should.

One of the reasons I recently switched from McAfee to Norton is that I can't get into the McAfee site without picking up a sh...t load of popups and cookies. It's a fairly minor annoyance, but why should I be annoyed - especially when I go there to solve problems with junk.

McAfee has also caused some concern by its recent refusal to permit a couple of major magazines to include their AV in product reviews. There may be business reasons for this - but it does make you wonder if there's something they don't want found??? Perhaps someone has seen their explanation?

John