As you've probably heard, the internet is out to get you.

Here's how to protect yourself about viruses, browser hijacks, and other assorted nastiness.

These tips particularly apply to people using Windows with some kind of fast connection to the internet.

1. Update your operating system. Most you are running Windows. Go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and follow the instructions. Install anything that is listed as a Critical Updates. Most of the nastiness on the internet exploits problems that already have fixes available. It may take awhile on a dial-up modem. However, it is worth it.


2. Run antivirus software and keep it updated. There are a number of antivirus programs out there. Run one. Make sure to set it to automatically check for updates.

Commercial AV programs:
http://us.mcafee.com/
http://www.symantec.com/homecomputing/

Free AV programs:
http://www.grisoft.com/
http://www.free-av.com/
http://www.avast.com/i_idt_153.html

3. If you have cable/DSL, make sure you have a firewall. If you have only one computer, you can probably get away with software firewall, like Zone Alarm. If you have multiple computers, a hardware dsl/cable router firewall, like the kind from Linksys, D-Link, or Netgear. You can get these for less than $40. Another advantage is these will let you hook up multiple computers to share your connection and you can also find some that integrate a wireless access point.

4. Don't use Outlook Express for your mail. If your ISP has webmail, use it. If you want to use a local mail client, look at some of the free alternatives like Pegasus or Thunderbird.

5. Spyware and Hijackers. The best way to avoid these is to keep your system patched, and don't install anything you don't have to. However, there are some sneaky things that will hit you anyway. Fortunately, there are good guys out there. You should download the following programs and use them, particularly if you notice strange behavoir.

Ad-aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
Spybot S&D http://security.kolla.de/
CWS Shredder http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

Ad-aware and Spybot S&D do the same thing, so you could get away with only using one or the other. CWS shredder specifically kills one of the most annoying things out there. If you get popups out of nowhere or if someone hijacks your search results, it is probably CWS.


There is more, but, that's a good enough start. If you have questions, feel free to respond here or PM me.

A little bit further:

Most OS do have different user groups. Use them.

Keep the "Administrator" account for admin purposes; create a 'Dumb user' account with very limited rights, and use it to surf the web.
Any malware able to sneak through your defense lines will execute with the privileges associated to the current account. If your "surfing user" has no privileges, neither will have the malware, and shall cause no damages - or limited damage, at least.

Best

better option:- get rid of your MS OS! :lol

I've had to re-image my machine three times in two weeks - it's like fighting a binary constructed Chuck Liddell.