How do YOU keep your computer crap free?

A member recently had some problems with his box and quite a shoutbox exchange got it sorted out. Two more members thought it a good idea to set up a resource for that sort of knowledge passing. So, this thread is a place to tell all about your virus and anti virus experiences and get some good scoop from our computer guru monkeys. For best results, when asking a question, tell what platform you have, the browser you use, and the OS you are using.
For now, I've no questions to ask, but -
Desk machine: ASUS box, W7, Firefox with free versions of Spybot Search and Destroy, Spyware Terminator, and MalwareBytes have served me well.
Laptop: Toshiba, Vista, Firefox with Norman and Avira doing guard duty along with Defender. Norman is a slug and is apt to get removed fairly soon. Avira seems to work, but can be slow.

 

Who's Tracking You on web sites? | Survival Monkey Forums

 

When I use the Linux box, I have no need for anything, really. This is the beauty of Linux. Of course, browser extensions and addons are still required and applicable.

When I use Windoze, and I only run 64 bit systems (XP Pro), I use Firefox or Chrome browsers. There are lots of addons for Firefox, but I like to primarily use Adblock Plus and Ghostery. Generally, the only AV which has worked well is Comodo. I recommend buying Comodo, but the free version works very well, too. It comes with "Privdog", an added blocker which can be fine tuned and installs to any existing browser. I use RegVac registry cleaner, and it is portable and convenient on a USB, too. Also, check your default security settings for your browser and manage them accordingly.

 

Just a few NOTES Here:
1. If you use Chrome, you are open to ANYTHING Google chooses to put in, to track, and make use of your Data. It is NOT Open Source.
2. If you use Safari, you are somewhat open to Apples whims, as it is also NOT Open Source.
3. If you use FireFox, you are better off, as it IS Open Source, and if you want you can SEE exactly what the code does.
4. Mac OSX is mostly not vulnerable to 90% of the MalWare, and such stuff, out on the Internet. There ARE, and will be, some of these things
written to exploit OSX Vulnerabilities, before they are found, and Patched.
5. Much of the latest Holes, are being Exploited by going thru Adobe Plugins, like Flash, and MicroSquash's SilverLight, as well as other
Browser Plugins. So make SURE, you upgrade these, as often as they find, and Patch, Holes in them.
6. If you run MicroSquash OS's, you are much better off, running them in a Virtual Machine, rather than directly from your BASE OS.
The reason being, if you catch a BUG from a download, you can TRASH the whole Virtual Machine, and reLoad the latest Backup VM,
from your HD, or Archive, without effecting your BASE OS, in the slightest. Recovery is very simple that way. MicroSquash is still
writing Patches for XP as of today, but it is due to sunset soon.

..... YMMV....

 

FWIW, just about all mfrs sell factory rehab units for way less bux than the latest and greatest. I've had excellent service from my rehab Tosh.