No viruses, no spyware, no spam…

Many people ask me what the best antivirus, and spyware tool is…. and how to avoid spam, pop-ups, viruses… I honestly don’t have any clear answer, but I could tell you how I avoid problems when on the internet.
Personally I don’t use any protection except with my router. Antivirus and spyware tools  slows down my computer alot and usually its only 70% effeceint. I download daily, over 5gig using torrents and emule and so far I didn’t get into trouble. Its been over 3 years with this practice and the concept is to know what your doing.

Here is my advice list :

1. Never open emails or attachement from people you dont know.
2. Dont install or download any free software and especially spyware tools or popup stoppers.
3. Dont install or download any toolbars ( Yahoo, Google, msn, or any other useless garbage).
4. Use a firewall. Mostly a router and disable the ping reply on it. 
5. Enable file extensions and know your extensions ( jpg = pictures, avi/mpeg = video , mp3 = audio )
6. Monitor your processes in your task manager. Thats a difficult one but you need to figure out whats good and whats not. One easy way is to google every process.
7. Avoid porn, warez, cracks and freebie websites. They have popups and can hack your browser.
8. Always update your Windows XP. Daily they find security wholes in Internet Explorer.
9. To avoid spam email, Simply have a second account and use it to for anything else except with family and friends. I do use my second junk account for forwards too.

Thats it for now . Good luck and keep it safe.