Windows

The Ultimate Free Guide To Stopping Viruses & Spyware

Posted by on Jun 25, 2007 | 5 Comments

Wanna know how to keep your computer free from viruses, pop-ups, spyware, and other junk? Here’s how to do it without installing a single piece of software:

  • Tell all the males in your house to quit surfing for porn
  • Buy CDs and rip the tracks from there
  • Get a Netflix or Blockbuster account instead of using BitTorrent
  • Instead of looking for software cracks / serials, look for coupons
  • Stop operating in Administrator mode

Adhering to these five points (and forcing your family or roommates to do the same) should be enough to cut your risk by 90%, I’m guessing. You could do more to protect yourself, though, if you feel the need to download something:

  • Download drivers through official (or sanctioned) sources
  • Avoid unnecessary browser toolbars, plugins, or enhancements – and if you’re not sure if a toolbar is TRULY necessary, don’t install it
  • Read through every bit of a software installer process to ensure you’re not adding something that you don’t need and/or want – and if you’re not a geek, don’t install ANYTHING without first asking permission
  • Think twice before clicking on links sent to you by email or IM – especially if they prompt you to log in somewhere or download something else
  • Surf through OpenDNS servers for automatic Web site typo correction as well as an extra layer of phishing filters

That’s probably worth another 10% as far as protection from spyware / viruses are concerned. If you wanna be super-duper protected, surf the Web with Firefox or move to OS X (sorry, gang) and run Windows apps through Parallels. For more tips on keeping your computer clean, stay tuned to the podcast or our YouTube channel.

[tags]antivirus, spyware[/tags]

  • PG

    “Tell all the males in your house to quit surfing for porn ”

    I know plenty of women who surf for porn…
    Sexist comment!

    So are you saying it is ok for women to search for porn?

  • Tom

    I hope you are successful in getting most people to switch to OSX. Then the virus writers and spammers can all mess up OSX and they’ll leave the minority of us left on Windows alone.

  • Rob Munda

    Isn’t it a little sexist to point the finger at males in regards to porn surfing? I know plenty of women that surf for porn.

  • http://www.anonymousjohn.com AnonymousJohn

    Buy CDs and rip the tracks from there.

    Sony has gotten in trouble on several occasions for putting code in their music when you rip the music. The code tracks your HD and has caused me grief. It is a BIG beef with me when you purchase things legit and SONY and the evil RIAA still try to screw with you.

    BTW Lockergnome has yet to inform their subscribers of the destruction of independent Internet radio caused by the greedy RIAA. I have been very disappointed on the LACK of information defending the little independent web broadcasters. The independent voice of internet radio will be squelched and Lockergnome doesn’t seem to care about us AT ALL.

  • http://fotographixs.com John Newton

    Chris,

    May I suggest changing the first recommendaton to “Stop surfing porn site”. I see several others have called you on the sexist nature of that one.

    As for buying CDs, I can’t get behind that one 100%. Beside the comments already made, I find most to the music of today lacking. There may be one or two cuts that I’m interested in. If they are available on iTunes I’ll buy them. If not, well, I’ll just wait until they are or check other legitimate sources for them. As a suggestion, check out some of the independent musice sites. They offer up tracks and.or albums tht are pretty darn good and at a whole lot less than a lot to of the known artist.

    Bit Torrent is legit software and used by a number of business for conduction legit downloads. To imply that it is only used for illegal purpose is not being fair to it or the people using it legealy.

    Other than those three items, I pretty much agree with you.