Use software, cookie settings to fight spyware problems

Question: For the past month or so, my Windows XP PC's cursor has been freezing in place about two or three times a week. Nothing but a reboot will make the cursor function again, and since I can't use the cursor I have to turn the PC off with the power switch. Is there another way to unfreeze the cursor, or at least a way to reboot the PC using the keyboard?

Answer: It is possible to shut down your PC without the cursor. If you push the Ctrl, Alt and Delete buttons simultaneously, you'll call up the Task Manager, which can be operated by the keyboard. By holding down only the Alt key you can toggle to the "File" listing at the top of the screen. Then use the right arrow key to toggle until you reach the "Shut Down" listing. Push the Enter key and you'll be given several choices. Use the down arrow key to toggle to "Turn Off" and push the Enter key again; this will shut down your PC.

The larger question is why your cursor is freezing. Because it began happening recently, I suspect it's caused by spyware. Run the free Spybot Search & Destroy 1.5.2 program, which can be downloaded at http://www.startribune.com/a4205

If that doesn't work, make a list of the programs that are running when the cursor freezes. If some programs are competing for processor time or for random access memory, you shouldn't try to run them at the same time.

Q: Once or twice a day, I run anti-spyware software and remove about 25 cookies. Many of these cookies are the same ones I deleted the last time. Is there any way to block specific cookies?

A: You can filter out the most invasive Web browser cookies, which are small files that contain information about a person's browsing habits, such as those that take inventory of your PC's software or track your online movements to determine your interests. These are called third-party cookies, meaning they're not directly related to the Web site you're viewing. (First-party cookies store your password or other data for a Web site you're viewing.)

To block third-party cookies in Mozilla Firefox, go to the "Tools" menu, select "Options," then "Privacy." Under the "Cookies" heading, click the "exceptions" button. You can specify which Web sites are allowed to put a cookie in your browser. In Microsoft Internet Explorer, go to "Tools," "Internet Options," then choose "Privacy," then click the "advanced" button. Check the box beside "override automatic cookie handling," then under the "third-party cookie" heading, choose "block."