^ Seconded... what Chaz said about Safe Mode!
While we're on the topic of computer safety, I very highly suggest that for using either questionable sites and all major social networking sites, do the following:
* NEVER use an important or personal email address for that site. Sure, it gets bothersome keeping up with all those email accounts but, in the end, it's so worth the extra security precaution. In fact, I would highly suggest that before signing up for something like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, that you create a brand new email address to be used solely by that account and nothing else. If you get hacked (and that happens a LOT with such sites) you've created a bit of a barrier to your other cyber uses.
* Keeping track of all of those different passwords too can be a b!tch but ALWAYS use a unique password for major social networking sites. If they are hacked (again, they are often hacked) the thief won't easily have access to all of your other accounts using that same password. Again, well worth the exra trouble.
* Whenever you download something, carefully look at the entire page and settings in the box. Make sure that they don't have a box checked that installs some toolbar or other unwanted piece of software. Lots of things are always trying to install the Yahoo or Bloomberg toolbar. Those two might not be so bad (though unwanted and will bog your down) but there's also a lot of other crap out there trying to wiggle its way into your computer.
