Another interesting (though rather disturbing) set of facts mailed to me today by my (very active) anti-malware supplier.
Google have found that 30% of all websites accessed through them can or do install malware on users' computers. Generally this malware is used nowadays as a vehicle for theft. In most cases your anti-malware (often referred to as anti-virus, but in reality viruses are now a small part of the overall problem - spyware is far more serious) cannot prevent this and doesn't even know about it.
A new type of malware is appearing which uses Windows Install to get onto your computer. There is absolutely no way of stopping this.
The only remedy is to use top class anti-malware software, update it in realtime, and scan your entire computer frequently - at least once a week, ideally every night. Or get a Mac.
The easier computers get to use, the easier they get to abuse.
On another topic, for those many of us buying these super new phones which will do anything except make the tea (sorry, coffee), they are also under attack. Any phone which can access the internet, whether or not that service is actually used, can have malware installed on it, and some are being delivered new already infected. This can do anything, from transmitting your phone book or any other info stored on your phone to anyone else for any purpose (highly pertinent for phones that are also organisers - how many people keep credit card and bank info in their organisers?) to re-routing every call you make via the most expensive possible route without you knowing - until you get the bill. Apparently 361 different "viruses" have so far commonly been found, and no make or type of phone is immune. It just has to be able to access the internet.