15 Tips to stay virus-free

1. Use a good anti-virus application and update it regularly

2. Assure that your anti-virus includes Technical Support, Emergency virus response and virus alert services

3. Make sure your anti-virus is always enabled.

4. Check e-mail messages for viruses before opening them

5. Do NOT download files from unknown or unreliable sources

6. Reject ALL unsolicited files from e-mail, chats, or newsgroups

7. Apply the patches recommended by the manufacturers of your installed software.

8. Remove all floppy disks when shutting-down or restarting your computer

9. Scan within compressed files

10. Look for suspicious virus activity: increase in file size; macros in Excel or Word files; reports of e-mails from people you didn’t send e-mails to.

11. Add the security options, of the applications you use, to your antivirus policies.

12. Make REGULAR Back-Ups of your data!

13. Keep yourself informed of what is happening in the virus world

14. Always use legal software

15. Encourage everyone to get involved in the fight against viruses and malware.

This list is based on information developed and provided by Panda Software.

Hijackers, Trojans, and Spyware

Keep in mind that viruses aren’t the only problem. Hijackers, Trojans, and Spyware are a bigger threat today. Once a Trojan gets into your computer, it can do whatever it wants to do. You must keep them out.

1. Close all pop-ups using Alt + F4. Do NOT use “X” or “Close” button

2. Do not open any unsolicited messages: e-mail, pop-up, IM, or other.

3. Use effective Spyware and Trojan blockers such as Spybot Search & Destroy and Microsoft AntiSpyWare (Win 2K/XP only).

4. Carefully research all applications before installing. 80% of available “anti-Spyware programs” are actually Spyware!

5. There is NOTHING that is free on the Internet. Anything that appears to be free is probably a Spyware carrier.
NEVER use Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing services

Just as an example, one of the most popular file-sharing applications on the web is Kazaa.  The following is a list of adware/spyware that has been bundled with Kazaa over time, and is probably installed on your PC now if you use Kazaa!

Cydoor (Advertising)
Save Now (Spyware)
Dlder.exe (Adware)
PgMonitor (Unknown)
Delfin Media Viewer (Adware)
Fastseeker toolbar (Spyware)
Dw.exe (Unknown)
Hot Text, Top Text, Ezula, ContextPro (Adware)
ClickTheButton (Adware)

Other common file sharing applications that have bundled adware/spyware:
 

Limewire	Bearshare	Imesh	Xolox
Audiogalaxy	Blubster	OneMX	FreeWire
BitTorrent	Grokster	Morpheus	Ares

Adware/Spyware commonly bundled with these apps:

Comet Cursor	GAIN	Gator
BonziBuddy	Wurld Shopping	Alexa
Ad Delivery by nCase	TopText	Time Manager
NewdotNet Domains	Ezula	Attune
Common Name	Lop.Com	Xupiter
PADS by nCase	AdvertBar	B3d projector