You'll spend a lot more money to have me repair your system after a massive infection. In addition you may permanently lose your valuable data.
Your antivirus is only as good as the last update. Updates are available almost daily. Most modern virus checkers will automatically update themselves but don't get too lax. Check the "virus definitions" dates to make sure that you have the most current information available, especially if you hear on the news of a new serious outbreak.
Its easy to put it off, but it can be fatal to your data. Don't put it off, do it today. For the easiest possible solution, click here.
A basic free firewall is available from www.downloads.com called ZoneAlarm. For more comprehensive solutions
One of the biggest problems I'm encountering on my client's computers is the proliferation of "Spyware". Spyware comes with "free" programs that do useful things, like put smilies into your e-mails, screensavers and peer-to-peer file sharing. In general if a program is good and it seems to be free, someone is paying the bill and it's probably an advertiser that is including spy ware with the program. Spyware tracks your browsing habits and sends many pop up messages to you. It can seriously impact the performance of your system. The next time you receive a message that asks you if you want to install a program - think twice!
If you think your computer has been loaded up with spyware, there is a great commercial package that will help in the detection, removal and prevention of spyware. Check out SpySweeper. At $29.99 it's worth every penny!
Two other free programs that are also effective you can download from www.downloads.com : Spybot Search & Destroy, and Ad-aware. These programs can clear most of the troublesome software from your system. You can't beat the cost of these two fantastic utilities. These two programs are your free lunch!
In addition, a good firewall can help reduce spyware problems.
Myth#1 - "I won't get a virus because I never open a file from someone I don't know."
FALSE. Most of the viruses you get come from people YOU KNOW! They are nice people who don't mean any harm and (unlike you) are NOT running a virus checker themselves. So the funny file attachment that a "friend" sent them (who is also not running a virus checker) has infected their system and could get yours. Don't let this happen to you!!! Usually, the virus will enter your friend's addressbook and send itself to you! Your only protection is to have comprehensive virus protection.
Get a virus checker:
Myth #2 - "I installed a virus checker just 6 months ago and so now I'm protected from all viruses"
FALSE. Hundreds of new viruses come out each month. Most antivirus programs will update themselves, but you should open your antivirus and see when it last updated just to be sure. You should check thye update of your virus checker at least once a week. (And whenever you hear of a new virus on the news).
In addition, you need to make sure it's running in the background (there should be an icon in the lower right corner of your screen (the system tray) that indicates it is actively running. Many viruses will "knock out" your antivirus. Make sure it's running AND updated. If you open your virus checker program you will find an "update" icon and probably see a date when the "virus definitions" were last updated.
Myth #3 - "My friend (let's say, Bob) told me he received a virus from me even though I'm running antivirus software and my virus definitions are up to date - so I MUST have a virus!"
FALSE. Many viruses "spoof" an email address. For example, you and "Bob" have a mutual friend, "Sally". Sally has both you and your friend, Bob in her addressbook. She has no virus checker and gets infected with the Klez virus. The virus grabs her addressbook and sends viruses to everyone on her list but "spoofs" the sender's address using your email as the return address. Therefore, you appear to be sending out the virus when Sally is actually the culprit.