KC Scott wrote:malware (a type of virus)
I know we're supposed to keep it simple... but no. Malware is malware, a virus is a virus.
You know what I use for antivirus software?
Nothing.
Know how many viruses I've had in recent years?
None.
An industry that thrives on grossly overexaggagerated threats. Although in a corporate network, as opposed to a personal machine, strong protection is a must.
Then again, I'm pretty well-versed at fixing such things (I knew tht hig-dollar shooling would be good for something some day... my stints in the industry never seem to last very long)
Although I'm a big fan of Malwarebytes. Great freeware.
The free version of Zonealarm (or at least last I checked) does a kind of DNS screening dealio, which slows things down, but blocks sites that spread malware.
Whatever you do, avoid AVG Antivirus like the plague... unless you have about 100 gigs of RAM, and don't mind every new spyware/malware/virus that comes down the pike hitting your HD.
But my best advice is to not store financial information on a machine that goes online. If you must, the encrypt the files, and make sure any site you communicate with is through HTTPS, or some other version of a secure connection. Then there's the really basic shit, like changing out of the default workgroup, and locking down your wireless router/AP (if your interface allows theoption to only allow wireless clients internet access rather than network access, use that option).
And back up your important files...not only guards against a virus getting the best of you, remember that hard drives have moving parts and don't ast forever.