Invasive websites (1 Viewer)

I went to a State Medical Association web-site to find a doctor and later found that the web-site had installed itself in my toolbar as a favorite. How on earth does this happen and how can it be prevented? I doubt that such a websites can do more harm other than stealth invasion but I can imagine the harm that a website with evil intent can do.

I have a PC with Windows and IE, a hard and soft firewall, free AVG 2013, Malwarebytes and IE tracking protection. You would think that even a hacking Houdini would have trouble getting past that. Thanks.

The important things you missed out are your versions of Windows and IE. Win XP and old IE versions offer litle protection. Win7 and newer versions should always make such changes optional, if set up correctly.
Personally I'd switch to a different browser anyway. Chrome is my fave at the moment.

GraemeS said:

The important things you missed out are your versions of Windows and IE. Win XP and old IE versions offer litle protection. Win7 and newer versions should always make such changes optional, if set up correctly.
Personally I'd switch to a different browser anyway. Chrome is my fave at the moment.

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GraemeS,

Thanks for your reply. My PC has Windows 7 and IE9. Are you saying that Chrome would have prevented the invasion I noted?

ehrodz said:

GraemeS,

Thanks for your reply. My PC has Windows 7 and IE9. Are you saying that Chrome would have prevented the invasion I noted?

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Possibly not, but winpatrol would have given you the option of refusing to install it! I use the free one!
http://www.winpatrol.com/
Reviews here: http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&suge...ee02803980a2ea&bpcl=35243188&biw=1280&bih=893

Firefox browser with the add ons "Adblock Plus and NoScript" should handle most if not all of those annoying buggers.

phil