NicoleC -

Since you did get some of the net message stuff, you obviously are using one of the later versions of Windows that permits you to log on (to Windows) with varying "permissions." I'm sure you are aware that a first line security practice is to avoid having Windows open with full privileges when you don't need them. Much of the trash that hits the machine can only do what the "logged on" user can do, so just the fact of being at "user" rather than "adminstrator" level can prevent a lot of stuff from doing things like installing code and writing to registry. It's not a good defense by itself, but it can help.

The description of the methods used in the Startup Cop utility does have some interesting stuff. I found a couple of "startup" functions that I hadn't noticed (all obvious with a little thought - but it's a big program).

(Note: the above is as much for the lurkers reading over our shoulders as for you. No lecture intended.)

John