My friend bought a new PC a year ago. I warned my friend to get anti-virus software installed on their computer before using it. Five months later, my friend called a help about his computer problems - horribly slow and tons of pop-ads every 5 minutes. I came over and found that he didn't have anti-virus software on his computer. I told him that his computer is infected - that means the virus infected on his computer. I was told that virus infected and could harm the computer in many different ways. I knew that he ignored my words. My friend said he does not like spending their money to buy software because he thinks it is stupid and boring. I told him that if he have bought anti-virus and installed 5 months ago and today he would have his computer run faster and no pop-up ads.
I showed to my friend that I have been using my PC computer for two years since I bought it, and I never had any problems. I take good care of my computer.Here is my advice to protect your computer:
Anti-virus. It must be installed on your computer immediately as you get new computer. The anti-virus must be on all time. You need to turn on the automated for getting updated version daily.
Security Patches. For Windows XP, you need to go 'Windows Update' to download any of the patches to improve the security protection and prevent the vulnerabilities.
Get Service Pack 2. Nuff' said.
However, I am using Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MSBA). It is widely most used for Win2000 and WinXP. MSBA is free, best practices vulnerability assessment tool for any Microsoft platform. It scans most of the Microsoft platform on your computer if there are any vulnerabilities.
If you met all the stuff to protect your computer, then you're clean and good to go.
