Even though I have to use IE for compatibility testing, tell Windows that my primary browser is something else ... ANYTHING else.

Without this simple sanity-preserving measure, clicking on a link sent via AIM can expose this computer to malware, which (among other things) spam themselves to my AIM buddy list.

*shame*

I've quarantined and removed the rootkit, and killed AIM for now. Running a few more anti-virus and spyware scans.