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• Don't use Windows.

  Malware is only a problem with Windows and this is unlikely to change anytime soon. If you do not have a Mac, you can install Linux on your Windows computer and have a safe, efficient computing experience. It is not necessary to remove Windows, you can choose between the two systems when booting the computer, see my Linux page for more information.

• Lock down Windows.

  The most efficient way to prevent malware from sneaking into your Windows computer is to create a Limited User account and use it especially for Internet activity. Windows XP normally gives all users full control of the computer, any virus that gets on also had full access to the entire computer. A Limited User can do normal tasks but cannot make changes to Windows, a virus cannot install and take over the computer.

  Vista has introduced an improved system called User Account Control (UAC) to control what can be installed on the computer. While I think it is not as good as the Mac/Linux method, it makes it more difficult for malware to install.

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Limited User and UAC prevent malware from sneaking onto the computer but do not stop you from deliberately installing it yourself. I suspect that in the future hackers will concentrate on tricking you into installing their programs.

• Don't use Internet Explorer

  A huge amount of infections happen because of problems with Internet Explorer. Switch to another browser like Firefox or Opera and you will have much less problems.

• Keep your computer updated.

  Hackers are always finding “holes” in Windows to install their viruses and Microsoft is always developing patches to plug these holes. Make sure you have Automatic Updates turned on so that you will always get these security patches as soon as they are available.

• Practice safe computing

  Do not browse for dangerous sites such as pornography or illegal software. Do not download anything unless it is from a trusted site. Do not open any files from people you don't know. Even if you trust the sender, confirm that they sent the file before opening it.

• Use antivirus and antispyware programs

  I left this for last as I consider it to be the least effective method. You certainly should have antivirus/antispyware programs installed but they are easy to beat. I have lost count of the number of infected  computers I have cleaned even though they had the latest and greatest security programs installed.

  The reason is simple. These programs depend on signatures or electronic mug shots of known viruses to identify infections. Virus writers are  creating new viruses every day and testing them to ensure that  antivirus programs cannot detect them. A virus could be circulating for a week before your antivirus program gets its mug shot and can detect it, by that time newer ones would have been created.

  Which is best? They are all useful but none is 100 % effective. If you suspect that a file is infected, upload it to Jotti or VirusTotal to have multiple scans done.