Having worked on hundreds of customer computers over the past 4 years i found that even with anti virus software it is possible to get virus's. I've seen computers with free versions and full subscription versions of many programs that still allowed computer virus's through. Just to name a few: Norton, McAfee, Kaspersky, Panda, Eset, Avast, AVG, Avira. Many of these programs hog resources as well and can slow down a computer tremendously from what i have seen. Check your processes in task manager, imagine if you could have the extra resources from these programs and still not get a virus. Well you can! I have now been using my computer for over a year without a antivirus program and I am still free of virus's. How?
I have found you can get a virus by:
1. Clicking Ad's on websites
When i say this, i mean Ad's that link to pages you are unfamiliar with. Not Ad's for like google.com, target.com etc. These Ad's will link to strange websites that you have never been to before. Ex: freecashnow.com or something similar. These Ad's can appear misleading in nature as well. They will say, fill out this survey to win this, or Get 70% off Apple IPad, blah blah blah BULLSHIT! Many of these sites have computer virus's on them just waiting to infect your computer!
2. Clicking on unknown websites from search engines.
Similar to the Ad's, although somewhat harder to deal with. I understand that you are trying to find what you are looking for, but if the URL of the page looks odd, chance are it is!
3. Pornography Websites
Not all pornography websites have virus's on them but there are millions of pages that do. If you go web searching for porn sites and get all click happy, you are guaranteed to get a virus. GUARANTEED! Just dont look at porn, is that so hard?
4. Downloading Illegal/Unknown Files
Files from unknown emails, p2p programs like limewire, torrents, downloads from random ass websites. Just dont download illegal files. Stay away from limewire and torrents. You are downloading ILLEGAL material anyways. You shouldn't be doing this in the first place.
Besides staying away from these 4 virus happy places, there are a few other thing you should do..
1. Dont use Internet Explorer, Use Firefox!
The other browsers are better and safer than IE as well, but Firefox is needed for the add ons. Plus its a great browser!
2. Install the Firefox add on, Adblock Plus
Just go to tools/addons and search for it there. This add on will eliminate nearly all ads on websites and videos, and result in faster page load times.
3. Install the Firefox add on, WebOfTrust
This addon will show a rating next to search engine results. Green = page is safe, Red = Avoid.
Now the rating system is based on user reviews, it is not perfect but it is damn good. A million times safer than searching without it!
4. Use windows update
It is there for a reason! Keeps your OS up to date and secure. Should be run at least once a month or automatically.
And that is it! This is all i have been doing for over a year and guess what, No virus's! No antivirus software! Fast computer! :3
Interesting thanks for the hints and tips!
ReplyDeleteUseful post, but I'm keeping my antivirus on just in case :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteWith just a little bit of common sense, if fairy easy to stay clean from virus, malware, that's another story.
ReplyDeleteReally helped,
ReplyDeleteAdblock plus is a must...can't tell you how many times I've been bombarded with advertisements.
All very valid points. I understand those, but often break them anyway ;_; So i just use an Anti virus to make up for my mistakes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the tips bud, I've been using Adblock Plus and Firefox... but sometimes I can't help but go to some highrisk sites if you know what I mean :p
ReplyDeleteVery useful,thanks.
ReplyDeleteAlso not dl horse porn is a good preventative way. Don't ask me how I know that....
ReplyDeletethanks, good to know, nice blog
ReplyDelete+ follower:)
cheers for the tips, i think i have already lost the battle against viruses though haha, should be getting a desktop soon and will definatly obey these rules!
ReplyDeleteso mainly stupid users then?
ReplyDeleteKeeping me safe, I like it.
ReplyDeleteI don't use antivirus and have been doing the steps here for quite some time.
ReplyDeleteas long as you're smart, you don't need anti-virus.
and anti-virus can be circumvented pretty easily
Thanks for the tip! Guess there's some stuff I gotta change on my comp!
ReplyDeletethanks man. i bet i got some more or less harmless virusses on my pc since i didnt set it up for like ages now.
ReplyDeletesome sensible tips here, thanks. :)
ReplyDeletethis tips can very help mr!
ReplyDeleteALready done all of that. :)
ReplyDeletethanks dude
ReplyDeleteI use gentoo!
ReplyDeletefirefawks ftw!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've been without antivirus for years. Recently, a friend asked if she needed antivirus. Knowing how gullible she is, I just had to recommend that she get some sort of protection. Though I also told her some of the same tips you suggested.
ReplyDeleteAwesome info. And the part about porn made me laugh, as true as it is.
ReplyDeletehelpful
ReplyDeleteI haven't actively scanned my compy in forever, I really don't understand how people get a virus.
ReplyDeleteYou'd think most of this was obvious, but nope!
ReplyDeleteDon't want viruses? Use linux!! following btw.
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog, check out mine.
ReplyDelete1+ Follower
im with bipolar bear, install linux or buy a mac, there are WAY fewer virus for them
ReplyDeletethanks for the tips bro, will put em to use!
ReplyDeleteGood guide, I'll definitley be using this.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info I'm sure it'll help a lot
ReplyDeleteVery helpful thanks. No wonder Ive been getting so many virus XD
ReplyDelete