Free Computer Repair Service

First off, do NOT listen to anyone who suggests Norton, it is the most invasive, intrusive, irremovable, and un-customizable as a security software gets… and it’s protection is no where near #1.

Personally, I suggest ESET Smart Security. I have been through Norton, MacAfee, AVG, and Kasperkey and nothing has been able to compare to the thoroughness of ESET. ESET also has incredibly low overhead (takes VERY little out of your system to run) and so you don’t notice any performance impact. It is also often on the top 3 of best antiviruses on many different lists. You do have to pay for it (if you want it legally) but it will save you a million head aches.

http://www.eset.com/

You should also get Spybot S&D. It’s a spyware program that not only has a search feature but protects you while you are browsing the internet by blocking a long list of very bad things and connections. It is also very low in its overhead and it is a FREE program. Just make sure to “Immunize” your system with it once a week! (“Immunize” is a feature within the program) Spybot also has a feature in it’s advanced menu’s (called “System Startup”) that allows you to look at what programs start up with your computer, and it usually has a description for all of them, sometimes you even find malware in there; and you can use it to speed up your system start-up.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybo…

Another tool you should use is this:

http://download.cnet.com/Trend-Micro-Hij…

Run a scan of your computer and then save the log file and open it up (while keeping the program open) and copy and paste the ENTIRE log file contents here:
http://www.hijackthis.de/

This is very similar to the Spybot feature, and will help you track down malicious things on your computer.

This is everything that I personally do, and I never get viruses, malware, spyware, anything. My 4 year old laptop still runs as fast as ever, and I don’t have to deal with annoying anti-virus pop-ups.