This is a follow up post to: Double Check Your Machine For Infections
Got infected and never want to again? Or never want to in the first place? Well follow this guide and you should never get infected.
1. Keep your machine (Mac,Windows,Linux,etc) up to date! If it wants you to restart for updates (all do) then do so, and check often for updates, and then make sure to install them ASAP. For windows this is really important, and most updates are every 2nd Tuesday of the month. Mac/Linux they will bug you any day of the week for updates. While this may be inconvenient now it will save you later on.
2. Keep your software up to date. Use the file hipoo update checker, or CNET Tech Tracker. Both are for windows only. Mac/Linux usually alerts you on apps that need updating via software update (they don’t just check for OS updates 
)
3. Avoid any torrent when possible (that means P2P) although most P2P are free from most infections, they are not free in the safe of copyrights, so stay clear of them. (plus I am sure your ISP will love you for not using them).
4. Only download files from the website it was designed on. Although CNET,softpedia,and filehippo are safe multi-file hosts. This prevents websites that host a file, but add there special something.
5. Install free software slowly, most free software for one reason or another comes bundled with software you don’t want. So carefully check (and uncheck) any thing you don’t want to install from the apps install prompt. Note: Windows only for now.
6. Don’t download cracks, pay for the software, or don’t use it. Its that simple, not only is it illegal there is a very likely there is a trojan that comes with it.
7. Do NOT install files from websites that say “to view this file you NEED to install either a update, or a special version of this to view it”. Most commonly thats flash player. So watch out.
8. Don’t view porn (for any reason) as there are oddles of infected websites if you go down that path.
9. Watch links on social networks (mostly twitter). As you can’t see them and some will take you to fake websites.
10. For popup ads DO NOT click them (unless you want to naturally). When they appear click on the X and close the ad if it keeps harrasing you to view it.
11. Fake scanner sites. (Pretty much windows only). If you see a website open up and start scanning your computer folder then thinking your have infections all over. Ignore it, close the tab, and do not download any file that it wants you to.
12. Have a up to date, and active, and common antivirus. (Norton,Trend Micro, Microsoft, AVG, Avast, etc). They are your 2nd defense to your habits so keep them running and up to date, or otherwise there useless.
13. Use IE7+,Firefox 3+,Safari 4+, and Chrome. Why? They have phishing protection to prevent you from viewing fake websites in the first place. Or just use OpenDNS.
14. If you use a email client be very warry of any email that comes with a file. If its from a friend email them back, or scan it.
15. If its to good to be true, then ignore it.
That should cover everything, although common sense even without these can go a very long way.
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