Why did I get infected in the first place? 11:23 AM

Simple answers here, watch what websites you surf, and what programs you download. Shady websites like to install spyware with out you knowing, and those free programs you like so much may also contain spyware. Here's a good tip for Internet Explorer users. Wilders Security Forums - Why did I get infected in the first place: 1) Watch what you download! Many freeware programs, and P2P programs like Grokster, Imesh, Kazaa and others are amongst the most notorious, come with an enormous amount of bundled spyware that will eat system resources, slow down your system, clash with other installed software, or just plain crash your browser or even Windows itself. 2) Go to IE > Tools > Windows Update > Product Updates, and install ALL Security Updates listed. It's important to always keep current with the latest security fixes from Microsoft. Install those patches for Internet Explorer, and make sure your installation of Java VM is up-to-date. There are some well known security bugs with Microsoft Java VM which are exploited regularly by browser hijackers. 3) Go to Internet Options/Security/Internet, press 'default level', then OK. Now press 'Custom Level.' In the ActiveX section, set the first two options Download SIGNED ActiveXcontrols) to 'prompt', and download UNSIGNED ActiveX controls to disable and 'Initialize and Script ActiveX controls not marked as safe' to 'disable'. Now you will be asked whether you want ActiveX objects to be executed and whether you want software to be installed. Sites that you know for sure are above suspicion can be moved to the Trusted Zone in Internet Option/security. So why is activex so dangerous that you have to increase the security for it? When your browser runs an activex control, it is running an executable program. It's no different from doubleclicking an exe file on your hard drive. Would you run just any random file downloaded off a web site without knowing what it is and what it does?"