Got a virus? Here's some tips and advice you should know...

[RobertSearcy]

If you have a virus of any kind on your computer, get rid of it.  It doesn't matter if you use your anti-virus program, manually delete the files, or reformat and reinstall your operating system.

IF it is a trojan horse-type virus, it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that you change your passwords for all of your accounts on all sites you visit, including Golden-Road.net and very important vital resources (e.g. bank account login, credit card login, etc.).

Some tips to minimize your chances of getting a virus:

1.  Create non-administrator user accounts on your computer and USE them instead of using your master Owner/Administrator account all the time.  In addition, password-protect your master Owner/Administrator account.  Some viruses and other malware need full administrator permissions to do the maximum damage.

2.  Don't open email attachments or file transfers over IM or any other program unless you are expecting them and you know the person sending them.  It is quite easy now for someone to make the email look like it came from one of your friends if they were affected.

3.  Download an anti-virus program.  I recommend Avast anti-virus (do a Google search to find the site).  I also recommend downloading anti-spyware programs such as AdAware (free edition -- don't blow a ton of dough), Spybot Search & Destroy, and Spyware Blaster.  There are other anti-spyware programs out there that you can also try.

4.  Do a virus scan occasionally.  Some recommend monthly.  Some recommend weekly.  Just do this sometime.

5.  If your anti-virus program contains an "active scanning" option (scans everything coming into your computer), enable it.  You'll be glad you did.

6.  Be careful of what sites you browse.  Porn and warez sites are quite common for viruses and spyware.

7.  Install a firewall.  You can use Windows Firewall, but I recommend going with a 3rd party solution.  If you do go with a 3rd party solution, it is highly recommended that you DISABLE Windows Firewall as it can cause conflicts.  There are lots of firewall solutions out there.  Do a search and find which one's right for you.  Some firewall software is easier to use than others.  If you have a hard time with all 3rd party firewalls, then you should at least have Windows Firewall enabled.  Some protection is better than none.

If anyone has any other tips or suggestions, feel free to reply and share.

[therealcu2010]

If your antivirus software can be set up to do automatic tests at a specified time, do it.  I, myself, have mine programmed to do a virus scan every morning at 5am (when I am not using my computer).  This will save time later.

[stormy41992]

If your antivirus software can be set up to do automatic tests at a specified time, do it.  I, myself, have mine programmed to do a virus scan every morning at 5am (when I am not using my computer).  This will save time later.

mine can do that as well. (i know mine is either 10pm or 11pm, but im not sure.) an Anti-Virus software is what every computer or laptop should have.

[junkaholic95]

Junkaholic officially approves of the following:

AVG Antivirus Free Edition
AVG AntiSpyware Free Editon
Spybot Search and Destroy
AdAware SE Personal 2007

I recommend setting up AVG Antivirus to automatically scan your system once and day and I recommend running a scan with each of the other 3 once every other week.  Another good tip is to defrag your hard drive after running all these scans.  This will help speed up your computer.  Many times you'll be amazed by the difference.

I also recommend using Firefox instead of Internet Explorer.  Ever since I switched, I noticed a vast decrease in viruses and spyware.  Another good alternative is Opera.  If you haven't, please give them a try.

www.mozilla.com for Firefox
www.opera.com for Opera

They're absolutely free.  Internet Explorer, plain and simple, is buggy and full of security holes.  Even the best of firewalls can fail with it.  Internet Explorer 7 especially.  Microsoft may claim that it's new and improved, but its internal programming is still based on Internet Explorer 5 as was Internet Explorer 6.  I used to recommend Netscape, but ever since the AOL situation, Netscape now requires Internet Explorer to run.  Opera and Firefox are independent programs.  Spybot Search and Destroy users will be happy to know that it automatically sets itself up to block spyware for Opera.

Also, avoid any Norton and Symantec products.  These names are favorites of hackers.  Since they're the top names, they always get targeted.  More often than not, viruses and spyware can slip right pasts these.  McAfee is starting to have this same problem.  Also, beware of any antivirus or spyware program that advertises with pop-ups.  More often than not these are fake and do nothing but harm.  Only use trusted software.

[beauticianstacy]

Obviously all the Anti virus SW Programs are configured in such a manner that you can always run the Scans on a Scheduled time and date as well.... It really eases the pressure to do it manually every time which is quite annoying for a lot of People...

newbielink:http://www.breastcreamreviews.com [nonactive]

[SteveGavazzi]

...okay, I'm as big a fan of the effects of breast enlargement creams as the next guy, but I'm still pretty sure this is a spam account.

[ClockGameJohn]

Indeed it is spam, but due to her avatar and choice of promotion, she stays!

[Season36Fan]

And wouldn't you all feel silly if it's a guy...

A quick Google reveals the party above has registered some thirty or more spam accounts on various boards in the last five days...