Checklist for protecting your computer from malware

Here is a list of steps to take to keep viruses, spyware and adware (collectively referred to as malware) off of your computer. Each item in the list also includes an explanation. Only one item in the list, the router in step 1, will cost you money. All of the rest can be obtained as free downloads. Each step includes an underlined link to a discussion of the step, if you want more information.

If you connect to the Internet with a broadband connection, use a router.
Use an antivirus program. Regularly update the definition files, and scan regularly with it.
Use a firewall program on your computer.
Use Microsoft Defender, Spybot and Ad-aware. Make sure you have the latest version of each program, and regularly update the definition files and scan with them.
Get Windows critical updates regularly.

That's it. Simple, right? Having to scan regularly is a nuisance, but it is a necessary. It is definitely less of a nuisance than identity theft or losing all your data in the aftermath of a virus. Plus you will be minimizing the annoyance of pop-ups and your networking will be faster.

How can I be so sure these steps will keep viruses and spyware off you computer? As a phone tech supporting Microsoft Windows I took many hundreds of calls from computer users with virus and spyware problems, as well as many hundreds of calls from Windows users with no malware problems. The pattern becomes more that apparent after so many calls, it screams out at you. Note for instance that of the hundreds of users who I dealt with in on the Blaster worm alone, I had almost no calls from from users who had routers! Even the use of a simple firewall such as the built-in firewall in Windows XP prior to Service Pack 2 was a considerable help in keeping out worms and hackers. I handled many calls from Ad-Aware and Spybot users, but they were not getting the latest definition files. I would have them get updates, scan and their problems would be gone. Both products now have included better warnings about updates, by the way.

On the subject of updates, one call in particular stands out, this on on a virus issue. My customer had found a virus on his system--his antivirus program had not found it, he had found it by himself when his computer started acting strangely. He had no luck in identifying the virus, however. He was curious which virus it was, and whether or not it was a particularly dangerous or damaging one. I check the Microsoft Knowledge Base, and did a thorough search with Google, but could not find out anything. I apologized to to my caller for not being able to help, and asked him to email me the little stinker so I could get a better look at it. The next morning at home I got my email and attempted to download the previous day's mystery virus, but to no avail. Since the day before Symantec had issued an update which covered the little stinker, and was quite insistent on killing it. I had to turn Norton off to download the vermin and burn it to CD. When I was through, I right-clicked on it to see its properties, but no luck, Norton promptly eliminated it again. I almost felt sorry for the little piece of scum, watching Norton kill it again and again. This was a very good demonstration of two points: 1) a good antivirus program will very definitely kill viruses, but 2) only if it has definition files. Remember that, and always keep all of your antivirus and antispyware programs updated.

Note that the above list does not cover some security-related items. Pop-ups may be a nuisance, but they do not compromise your security. Note that in most cases pop-ups are a warning that there is an underlying malware problem. Suppress the symptom and you may miss the illness! Use a pop-up blocker if you want, but keeping malware off of your computer is the most important first step to take. Personal privacy is also a derived issue--but a very important one, which I will address later. Content blocking doesn't seem to work very well--perhaps someday, but not yet. Spam for now is outside the range of this site.