Passwords appear both in dots and in clear

[#1]

In IE7 (but not when sandboxed) any password typed into the space provided appears in dots but also in clear text above it.
Neither Firefox nor Opera has this problem. Safari for Windows was removed immediately following Microsoft's warning.
AVG Internet Security and PrevxCSI show nothing amiss and all software is up to date.
My OS is WinXP Home SP3.
Any ideas please as to how to stop this?

[#2]

Don't use IE7.

[#3]

I should have added that this problem occurs also with my e-mail client (Courier 3.5), so I suspect that it is something to do with Windows XP Home SP3.

[#4]

Its not some funky auto-complete thing is it?
I have it turned off so dunno if this is the kind of thing that it does?

[#5]

No, I turned off autocomplete some time ago and have checked that it is still off.
If I sandbox IE7 the problem does not occur.

[#6]

Quote

sandbox IE7

Please can someone enlighten me as to the meaning of this term?
Have checked the Plusnet Glossary, and it does not appear in there..... 
(perhaps is is a contender for addition?)

[#7]

link corrected
Essentially it is running a program in a totally controlled and isolated environment so it can't affect anything else including your operating system
Edit link - apparently the forum automatic truncating messed up the link

[#8]

Thanks for the link, Jim, however, I got a notice that said it could not find it, and then gave some other links, eventually I found a fairly complex description on this page
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandbox_%28computer_security%29

Still not sure how it is done, so it must be something "too technical" for me to understand!  (never mind) 

[#9]

I also have no idea how it is done - I think you need a special bit of software to do it. It's not something I have needed to play with.

[#10]

Have a look at www.sandboxie.com. There is plenty of information as to what it does and how it works. I am glad to have this software. If you decide to go for the paid-f0r version, updates are then free.

[#11]

Quote

I am glad to have this software.

Is that because you are using Mainly Microsoft Progs? 

[#12]

I am glad to have Sandboxie installed as it gives me that extra layer of protection against malware. I just delete the contents of the sandbox when I have finished browsing and any nasties are gone!

[#13]

Doh!
To get a secure Windows system I make all the disks read-only.
Well it works - (but not very well).

[#14]

Thanks, but I do need to write to the hard drives as well as read them.
Having just upgraded to Opera 9.5, I find that what is typed into the address bar appears again above this. Firefox appears to be immune, but not IE&.

[#15]

Use FireFox.