Hi bob3160 and micky77,
Being confronted with malware from browsing depends on your browsing attitudes, and whether you like to play it safe. That means upgrading and patching all the software you have on your windows box (yes, also update the latest versions of your rar or zip program, secunia has a nice program to see if your computer is patched against the latest program bugs, holes etc.:
http://secunia.com/software_inspector/ ).
Another thing is to understand that the main vector to infect your machine(s) through browsing is spelled as one word, namely
script if it comes in the form of malicious java, or css, mal-transversal or css, poisoned cookies, browser hijacks, droppers and what more have you. All this malicious script can be blocked from running using a Mozilla add-on by the name of
NoScript. This extension even helps against script exploits Mozilla developers have not even seen. so-called 0-day holes. Yes, Mr. Maone, the developer of the NoScript extension sure deserves a statue for his creation.
Sandboxie does more or less the same however de facto (this is to nullify after the fact) but through quite another concept, and working a computer without full admin rights (or with SafeXP for instance) prevents against secret hidden installs of malware onto your machine.
So whenever you use a Mozilla type browser, go here to add NoScript from here:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/722Browser security is a question of learning the right attitudes, after every session clear out the cache, cookies etc using Ctrl+Shft+Del and before I close down my computer I run ATF Cleaner and ClearProg to crap clean my browser. For the paranoid there is of course Stealther from here:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1306 or Distrust from here:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/1559 to further hide your surfing trails and I use UserAgent Switcher
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/59 to be able pose as another browser, which can be advantageous in searching matters (doors are opened for ye or doors stay closed to you) or otherwise.
In-browser security - you can take it further than you think , so give it a thought,
polonus