OK thanks - done all this (and restarted Restore!).

I attach the two files as requested.

I am still getting what I find strange things going on - files and programs intermittently appear to be renamed or the extensions change so that they try to open with incompatable programs.......

Both your HijackThis and ewido log appear clean. As for the ZoneAlarm issue, you have the latest version, so there is no need to worry about this.

I am out of ideas as to what might be causing the other problems that you reported, but I'm sure LGW or someone else will be able to help you out.

personally... whenever I have a serious issue with a software firewall (like Zone Alarm) or an antivirus (like AVG ) I always suggest uninstalling/reinstalling the whole thing. If you have "customized" the setiings you can usually backup those customizations and save them. Then uninstall the whole thing /reinstall the latest version/add your customizations from backup.

A firewall or AV is such an important part of your system defenses that it is not worth the risk of trying to repair an existing installatiion. They install at really DEEP levels in your operating system-- they have to... in order to function the way you need them to. If you miss one little thing you COULD compromise the integrity of your system's security... and since you probably did not WRITE the firewalls' code... how will you know for sure??

It is just not worth taking a security risk in order to avoid a minor inconvenience.

Thanks to all for the advice: it appears that I am clean on the spyware front although I am still a bit concerned that there may be something sneaky going on with my files' details.

Thanks.

Hi Data,

I'm glad to hear you are all clean on the malware front, but I really do think you should follow ih8bills advice, it is always better to be safe then sorry.

Look forward to your reply,

TTFN

LGW

Which files do I have to backup to keep things like Bookmarks and settings? I use Thunderbird/FireFoz, BTW.