I just decided to try Firefox instead of Internet Explorer because Avast found a few files affected by win32 trojan.

Hope you can help me on a few of questions on this: (Im running Vista, by the way)

1) Am I right in assuming Firefox is safer than IE when it comes to spyware/adware attacks?

2) If I go back to IE what is the best spyware/adware preventative measure to take? - Im running Avast antivirus but it didnt stop this trojan affecting some files.

3) Since installing Firefox, it seems to take a lot longer to send Email from a gmail account ... when I send from Internet Explorer using gmail, its received instantly...when I send from Firefox, its minutes before its received!

Any ideas or comments would be appreciated.

No Firefox isn't safer from spyware it does have less security holes though. I would use Spybot search and destroy if you decide to go back to ie, but I wouldnt. The Gmail thing happens to me sometimes too, but I dont know what causes it.

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Ubuntu 8.10

Thanks a lot! I'll stick with firefox on your advice - actually I tested sending/receiving Email this morning and it seemed fine. Sticking with Firefox, do you still recommend installing Spybot search & destroy?

I always have it installed on my Windows box, however I dont use windows that often

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Ubuntu 8.10

You need to check your firefox settings - it's preset to allow addons and cookies that can slow your computer down. IE can be a pain if you try to switch b/c it trys to make you think it's better by slowing down your applications. Don't believe that bc. I know nothing about Vista but that it's a hog and it's slow. You can buy an xp os and install it over your vista if you keep having problems, or just get a mac. That runs on linux.