If you go with the free versions of the above programs, remember that it’s on you to run REGULAR virus and malware scans, because by using the free versions you won’t have access to regular, scheduled scans. That’s the compromise you make for getting it for free.

And if you want to be extra careful and save yourself the $100-$300 it’s going to cost you to have a program like this removed by a professional, use Firefox, get yourself the NoScript addon, and take the time to read about why scripts are dangerous, why you should not trust random sites to run scripts, and how you can whitelist sites you do trust. An hour spent reading and properly configuring NoScript (you CAN do it yourself) could save you hundreds later on in repair bills.

That way, you can still surf ESPN.com, the New York Times and your favorite messageboards with full functionality, but the wider ban on running scripts means your computer won’t catch a virus when you’re up at 1 a.m. surfing porn sites. (And the vast majority of you do.)

Also remember that e-mail attachments from your friends are one of the biggest causes of virus infection — many programs are coded to automatically find an e-mail address book and replicate themselves by sending friendly-looking e-mail to every address listed. That means when your friend sends you that forward with the cute-looking dog animation, and you open it, you could be infecting your computer with a virus.

So, to review:

- 98% of internet users receive viruses from shady porn sites and illegal torrent downloads
- The other 2% (mothers, grandmothers, aunts, etc) receive viruses by clicking on cute cat or dog animations forwarded to them by their unsuspecting friends, who themselves are infected with viruses

Along with always UPDATING YOUR COMPUTER and RUNNING VIRUS SCANS it really comes down to being careful about which sites you visit and which e-mails you open. If something looks suspicious, it probably is. If an offer is too good to be true, don’t click on it. And if there’s a cute barking dog in an e-mail attachment, let someone else take it for a walk.

I realize the chances of any of my clients reading this are very slim, and I realize this won’t make a dent in the computer service industry, but for what it’s worth I hope at least a few people see this and save themselves some money and aggravation. Good luck.

Thanks for any help you can give me.