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7 Rules for a Virus Free Computer

Submitted by Teo Graca | RSS Feed | Add Comment | Bookmark Me!

For non-techies, it's tough to know how to keep your computer Virus Free. I remember in 1998 when I installed an update from a major virus protection company to prevent just one specific virus from infiltrating my computer - it actually installed the virus. I had some low level analysis software running and watched as the virus protection software actually put the virus on my computer. Since then, I realized that the anti-virus software is the Virus; the anti-spyware is the spyware; the operating system (OS) is the nightmare! Short of not having a computer, we are all stuck with this double-speak.

Many people are actually setting up two computer systems - one for off-line and one for on-line work. Every program is adding auto-updates now to reach out onto the Internet without asking you. How dare they? Microsoft (MS) has back-end access built into their OS to allow them and others to go into your computer and do malicious things. This gets easier to hack with each OS release. How dare they? And it takes MS a couple years to patch most of the holes.

Note that if your use of the computer is totally dependant on constantly installing new software, your best bet would be to learn to rebuild your computer from scratch as it gets beat up by the software you are forced to install.

So, there are some simple rules you can follow to limit the potential of getting viruses on your computer.

Turn off all updates. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Load them manually when you are ready.
No tool bars, ever. They track what you do and slow your computer down.
Limit downloads and installations. Each, especially installs, can act as a virus or open security holes.
Use a backup strategy and avoid virus protection software. Rebuild your computer if compromised.
Limit use of wireless connections. Wired connections offer less possibility of direct access to your computer.
If it's an MS OS major release like Vista, don't use it for at least 2 years after the release, and for many other companies, try not to use them for at least 1 year. Many don't test properly and rely on you, the paying customer, to be their testers and suffer their mistakes, while benefiting from your feedback and frustration.
There is absolutely no reason for software companies to force users to install anything on their computers to provide most web functionality. Example: Participating in Webinars is a one-way conversation and can be accomplished without forcing an install. GoToMeeting provides a great service, but did they choose to force installations out of ignorance or malicious intent. The level of service they provide has not required installations for over 10 years. As an information architect, I think it is unethical to force an install when you don't have to. Genesys provides the same service without the need for an install.

There is also the issue of new computers shipping with huge security holes open by default. Then we find software we don't want or need installed and most don't know that these programs are using the security holes to break your computer if you don't upgrade after the free trial period. I don't want to name names, but Mircosoft really should know better by now. Have you ever noticed your computer gets a virus right after the free virus protection expiration period ends - you don't upgrade, they warn you about the need for virus protection, and after a "reasonable" period, then you get a virus.

As we become slaves to our technology providers, let's hope we can force them into some ethical implementations through our demands. Until then, we have to be diligent in maintaining security on our own computers.

Here is an article to help you deal with the MS security holes that ship by default with every new computer that has the MS OS installed on it.

Plug the holes in MS OS


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