The following is a list of tips on how to prevent from get a virus on your computer. These are just tips that I have learned over the past few years from helping family and friends with computer troubleshooting. You may follow the tips and if there any tips would not work, you can try search the other way through internet.

1) Do not go to adult sites: This is, in my thought, one of the easiest and quickest ways to get a virus or spyware.

2) Do not use P2P sites (like Bearshare or Limewire): For 2 reasons, it's prohibited and it's the easiest way for some people to post a file which may actually be a virus after you download it and can damage your computer. Don't take any chances, stay away from P2P sites.

3) Install a browser toolbar with a pop-up blocker: Although some web browsers have included pop blockers, it's an added benefit to install a second one because somehow, some pop-ups still get through.

4) Install anti-virus software: This is obvious, but so a lot of people ignore it. I use it on one of my PCs and it works great. It is not memory intensive and it scans daily in the background. I've used them for over 5 years (3 different PCs) and rarely did I have any issues.

5) Keep anti virus software up to date: Another obvious one. What good is anti-virus software if it's outdated? If you purchased your Anti-virus software, make sure to renew it each time it expires. So, any virus has no chance to enter your computer and your computer can work smoothly.

6) Use a hardware firewall. Never connects your PC or laptop directly to the digital subscriber loop (DSL) or cable modem. This is like leaving the front door to your house wide open. Hackers attempt all day long to break into computers; don't make it easy for them. Buy a router. It will hide your PC from the Internet and then at least the hackers will have to attempt to hack through the router first (yes, this does happen to but unless the hacker is a pro, it will not happen).

7) If your PC is Microsoft Windows based, use the built-in Windows XP/Vista firewall. Besides having a router as stated above, this is the next best option as it still blocks most things by default.

8) Use Windows Defender or Ad-Aware from to keep spyware/malware away: Ad-Aware is the best spyware remover that I have used. I use it at work and at home. There are multiple versions but the free version has always worked fine.