Protect Your PC From Viruses, spyware & other threats : A Beginner’s Guide!

Credit : Mural Andrew Vírus atacando Célula by Bruno Biagioni Neto

Here’s what you can do to ensure that your computer stays free from viruses and on top of it, if at all your computer gets infected then also, you’ll be able to save your data.

1. Keep the data on other partitions : Always make sure that you keep all the files on hard disk partition other than the windows one. This way, if the virus hits that drive then the data on the other drive will be still safe. Although the viruses have become smart but still it’s still better. Here’s the guide to keep the My Documents in other drive, in case you use My Documents a lot.

2. Install 1st level of Anti-virus : I’m a big supporter of installing two anti-virus software. Although, many people just don’t except it but believe me do the way I’m suggesting you and feel more safe and secure. Download AVG Free anti-virus and install it as normal with all the features enabled.

3. Install 2nd level of Anti-virus : Download Avast free anti-virus however, ensure that you disable its real time scanner. Disable each and every option of automatic scan, email scan, Internet scanner or just about any scanner because we want to use it as On-Demand scanner only and so, schedule it to scan the computer once every week.

4. Install a firewall : Install a free firewall software to ensure that you keep yourself away from those Trojans and hack attacks which we normally don’t come to know without installing a firewall. Comodo firewall pro is a very good firewall software and completely free of cost.

5. Install an anti-rootkit software : Rootkits will be the biggest threat in future. Although they are still not out at huge scale but still its better to keep a software running to stay safe from these pesky little and dangerous stuff. AVG’s free anti-rootkit is recommended by me.

6. Install these free anti-spyware softwares : Just like Anti-viruses I’ll say that you’ll need to install 2-3 anti-spyware solutions. Install Spybot search and destroy as complete install, Install ad-aware free as on demand scanner (Disable any automatic scanner). Install Spyware blaster (MUST INSTALL), so as to keep yourself away from these spywares.

7. Use the latest and updated browser : Most of the malicious things come through Internet browser, so ensure that you are using the latest version of the browser which you are using. I’ll always suggest you to use Firefox.

8. Never open any attachment from the person you don’t know : You’ll receive email attachments from lot of people, but never open any attachment from a person whom you don’t know. Scan the attachment with your other anti-virus too, even if you know the person who has sent you the attachment.

9. Never accept files from strangers (On Messengers or social networks) : We all use Internet Messengers and lot of people chat with strangers. So never ever accept any file from these people, no matter how humorous the file may look like.

10. Download from trusted sources only : Never download any software without reading the review about that software and only download from trusted sources like Download.com or Zdnet.com. And yeah for reviews feel free to read them @ ReviewSaurus.com (: LOL :)

11. Install anti-phishing toolbar or plug-in : Even though latest browsers have anti-phishing features but still, I prefer to stick with the PhishTank community and Netcraft toolbar.