So, I just got cable internet...

[Marisa]

And my computer constantly sounds like it is downloading something.

My home page keeps going back to something that I never set it as...even after I go in and change it, the next time I get online, it's back to a page I've never even heard of before.

I keep getting annoying things just automatically downloading onto my computer.

My mouse keeps getting stuck and my computer is basically just acting all freaky.

What can I do to safeguard my computer? I've already downloaded Ad-Aware, but I haven't seen any changes in the above three things.

The computer making the noises that it makes when it's downloading something is driving me freaking crazy...it won't shut up~ it's just constantly going...

[evil jose]

You might consider turning on the XP Firewall if your running Windows XP and invest in a Router.

[vic torius]

No way I'd have a windows box plugged into a broad band connection with out a firewall and anti virus loaded.

On average an unproteced/unpatched windows machine at most would last 24 hours before being infected/hacked/trojaned/etc.

[Bad89stang]

5 years with no problems. Just using Charter software.

[Marisa]

Yeah, I'm using Charter and my computer is wiggin out. I'm on Windows 98...and I have no clue what a firewall is.

Can anyone help? :(

[AbecX]

You've probably got one of those email worms :)

Please download some virus software or use a free online virus scanner ( http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ ). You'll want something permanent to scan for virii, you'll also want to goto windowsupdates.microsoft.com and get all the latest patches. Now maybe you know why I hate MS stuff so much, no? ;)