I ran across Bleeping Computer when I was searching for a solution to a problem a family member was having with his PC -- something called VirusProtect Pro, a piece of malware that, ingeniously I might add, runs in your taskbar and alerts you to all sorts of "bad things" going on in your computer and then tells you how to get rid of them -- by buying their software.

Kinda like the cure to kidnapping -- ransom.

Not only is there a list of complete instructions for removing the crapware, but there is a link to automated tools to rid yourself of it without manually modifying your registry. Very nice.

So, I looked at the overall site, and it's wonderful. It offers lots of good information, and better yet, solutions to common and not-so-common problems.

Check it out!

Links to VirusProtect Pro fixes.

Since a lot of you have received new computers for Christmas, you may be confronted with a new browser, most likely Internet Explorer 7. While it is much improved, it has a lot of flaws, but, interestingly, Firefox (my favorite browser) has more.

So take some time TODAY and install a sound anti-virus program, along with some anti-spam and anti-malware software. Free versions can be found (google it), as well as paid-for.

And don't forget the most important piece: A firewall. ZoneAlarm is free and very good.

eWeek put together a brief writeup of Kaspersky Lab, an anti-virus vendor a lot of folks have never heard of. But they're very good and nimble.