1) Delete Cookies ---- 2) Delete Files ---- 3) Clear History
2) Don't Open Unknown Email - Probably the best thing you can do to safeguard your computer is to not open any email that isn't from someone you know. The latest round of viruses have been coming in emails that have the following Subjects: Hi, Hello, Test, Server, Server Update, Status, and Undeliverable Mail. If this is in the subject line and you don't recognize the sender, delete it immediately. Also, make sure when you are sending others emails that you put a clear comment in the subject line to help them decide whether or not this is really you sending an email. Realize that this is simply protection from spam viruses. Someone you know could have viruses on their computer, and simply by opening email from a friend you could be in for trouble.
3) Virus Protection Software - With all the junk out there on the internet that can attack your computer, you'd be a fool not to protect your computer with some sort of Virus Protection Software (both Antivirus and Firewall software). The most commonly known programs are Norton and MacAfee. There are lots of other options out there as well. My company uses "ZoneAlarm" and we have liked it very much. It is less bulky and evasive as the other programs. Regardless of the program you choose, make sure to run the "Live Update or AutoDownload" at least once a week (if not more). These companies specialize in protecting your computer. They put out new pieces of software regularly to fight the latest virus. If you don't download the updates, you aren't protected!
4) Windows Updates - Another important thing to do at least once a month is to download the latest updates from Microsoft for your operating system. Windows regularly puts out updates for their software. Lots of these updates are based on "bugs" or "holes" they find in their software that needs fixing. On most Windows based computers you can simply go to [Start] [Windows Update]. This will open up an Internet Explorer window and take you to Microsoft's website. It will ask if you want to scan your computer for the latest critical updates. Say, "yes". It will then come back to you and tell you whether you are up-to-date or not. If you've never done this before there may be as many as 20 or more updates that you will need to do. These may take some time to get (depending on the speed of your internet access), so it is recommended to start this at the end of the day and simply leave it running until you come back. After you get each round of updates completed it will most likely ask you to reboot your computer. Do so, and then keep going back to the Windows Update until it tells you that there are "no critical updates" left for you to get. Usually it only gives you around 4 or 5 at a time, so you need to keep doing it until it says you are done.
If you do all of the above, you have a better chance at keeping your computer clean. There is no fail safe method of protecting your computer and the above is not a guarantee, but it should help! The above advice is simply that "advice" and should not be taken as a foolproof method of protecting hardware.
