How to Avoid Virus Infection?

In this article I will explain every tip you can use to avoid virus and other malicious software infection. In the time when data exchange traffic is very high, it is no wonder that to be completely freed by any virus attack someone can advise you to completely disconnect your line to the outside world. But with all the advantages of World Wide Web has to offer, it is our lost to completely isolate ourselves from the main limelight. So accept the World Wide Web with open arms and embrace it. But, equip yourself with the best knowledge and application to avoid from being another victim. These are our 5 simple tips to avoid virus infection and other malware:

1. Load only software from original disks or CDs. Pirated or copied software even if it's from your friends is always a risk for a virus. Why? Unlike general assumption, optical disks can easily become the medium of viruses because not like the old days, now CDs and DVDs can be produced easily in any house in the world with very poor protection of virus.

2. Be careful when opening emails. Do not open the one that you don't sure where it comes from. Especialy if the title are suspicious and the email contain attachment. If it does contain attachment, scan the attachmet with an antivirus program before opening it. Be cautions of attachments with a double extension, such as .txt.vb or .jpg.exe. Double extensions are often a good indicator that the file is malicious. For extra safety, use email client that support prevention on any active content or remote images popups automatically. If you are using offline email client like Microsoft Outlook or Mozilla Thunderbird, make sure your Antivirus support email scanner function. Please also remind that Microsoft Outlook is more susceptible to worms than other e-mail programs. You might want to consider Pegasus or Mozilla Thunderbird.

3. Execute only programs which you are familiar as to their origin. Do not download software from just any websites. Also, programs sent by email should always be suspicious.

4. Keep your system up-to-date by setting up your computer to automatically download patches and upgrades and any updates to both the operating system and Internet Explorer. Visit Microsoft Update and turn on automatic updating.

5. Install anti-virus, antispyware, and Internet firewall program. Better most, find the one that offers a complete solution to all malicious software threats and firewall function. And although Windows Vista and Windows XP with SP2 have a firewall already built-in and turned on by default, most of the time this is not enough. Once installed, make sure you update your virus definitions in daily basis and run a full system scan in weekly basis.

For final word, we recommend you to just stay sane and don't be paranoid. What's important is that you still feel freedom in using your computer as you like it while being optimally protected all along. As an additional information, you might want to check my article on
what to do if your system eventually is infected. And eventually as a benchmark you can check my AVG Internet Security Review and AVG Antivirus Review. Lastly if you have decided your choice of antivirus product, you might want to check this list of 2011 Cheap Antivirus that contains products from Norton, AVG, Trend Micro, and Check Point Zone Alarm.