Warning about ZeroPopUp Companion Toolbar

I'm catching up on my tech newsletter reading and just saw this tidbit in the Kim Komando newsletter - available at http://komando.com -- regarding the pop-up blocking software ZeroPopUp Companion:

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SECURE COMPUTING: Stuff to keep you safe from harm!

--> THINK HARD ABOUT THE VALUE OF THIS POP-UP BLOCKER

The ZeroPopUp Companion Toolbar promises to stop those irritating ads. And maybe it does. But it also adds aggravation to your life.

The download for this thing includes a viral Trojan. This program, Tellafriend, goes to Windows and Eudora address books and sends spam to addresses there. And it tells people that you are recommending it.

Meanwhile, the Toolbar changes your Internet Explorer home page. And it changes your search engine. You can get more information at:

McAfee: http://vil.mcafee.com/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=100063 and http://vil.mcafee.com/dispVirus.asp?virus_k=100065

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The good news is there are several good, free pop-up stoppers available:

AnalogX's POW program does a good job and is easy to customize and "train". http://analogx.com

Also good is NoAds, from http://www.southbaypc.com/NoAds/

I've used WebWasher, but find it is a little clunky to use and sometimes causes pages to load incorrectly. I think it slows down page loads, too. It's avaialble at http://www.webwasher.com/en/products/wwash/downloa1.htm?submit=I+agree Their FAQ is at http://www.webwasher.com/en/products/wwash/faq.htm