Seven things you can do to keep your computer free from Malware

1) Keep your your browser up-to-date. Don’t use Internet Explorer 6 or 7 – you’re just asking for problems. Use the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox or Chrome for your operating system.

2) Think before you install freeware programs on your computer. There are many good freeware programs available – but not all freeware is free. Many software developers want to make money on freeware — and many big corporations out there are ready to help by paying freeware developers money for every person they can trick into installing something else with the freeware. This is called bundling and it’s nearly ubiquitous with freeware these days. Pay attention when you install software that you read each screen during the installation. If you don’t, you may be installing malware on your computer at worst, or an annoying toolbar that will take over your start page and default search engine at best. Be careful! Most malware is self-inflicted.

3) Keep your security programs updated. Never install more than one anti-virus. You may install more than one anti-spyware if you wish, however most anti-virus programs available now have anti-spyware features also. So adding one more stand-alone antispyware program like SUPERAntiSpyware should be sufficient. It’s important that you keep all your security programs up-to-date.

4) Don’t click links in spam E-mail, IM, Chat Rooms, or Social Networking Sites, no matter how legitimate the message may seem. If something seems too good to be true, it almost always is.

5) Never ever click on ads/popups or offers from website telling you that you need to install software on your computer. If necessary use Alt+F4 to close the Window, or use Task Manager/Processes to shut down all instances of your browser. I

6) Don’t be fooled by popups that look like Windows dialogs telling you your computer is infected you need to scan your computer and clean it right away. This is a sure way to infect your system with a rogue security program. You’ll be asked to pay to clean your computer after the scan — and nothing will be cleaned but your wallet. Rogues can leave your computer virtually useless until you pay the ransom. Rogues are one of the most common forms of malware on the Web right now.

7) Use your own good common sense. Think before you click. Click only when you’re sure. Pay attention to installation dialogs. Always know where you are on the Web. There’s trickery all over — but you’ve done well in the real world because you’ve used your head and common sense every day. Don’t change and be somebody else on the Web. Your common sense is the first line of defense.