Christmas brings a rash of virus infections to the computer world each year. The cause is simple: new users with new systems aren’t prepared for all the websites they will encounter and all the bad programs that will try to break into their computer.

Don’t be the next guy calling the kid down the block to fix your computer. Be the one everyone asks to help them. Check out this handy list and find out how…

1. Anti-virus

Your computer needs an antivirus program standing on guard at all times to ensure that if any baddies find their way into your machine that someone is there to stop them.

One of the best options out there is Grisoft’s AVG Free Edition. Simple to install, AVG regularly updates itself and has a long history of positive reviews. While no antivirus is perfect, AVG is good, and free.

Make no mistake about this fact. Paid antivirus systems are actually worse for your computer. Norton Antivirus is prone to missing even minor viruses weeks after they are known. McAfee Antivirus had long been known to bog your system down.

Another free AV worth looking at is Avast.

And if you still wish to look at a commercial AV solution, please consider using NOD32.

2. Clean-up

Over time your computer will accumulate a lot of useless stuff. Old files, broken settings and duplicate data will all slow your system down.

The unquestionable choice to fix that problem is Glary Utilities. Glary will delete unused files, find and delete empty folders and even correct busted or orphaned registry settings that are left from years of adding and removing programs you long forgot about.

3. Fix your computer after the bad guys have won

Let’s face it, sometimes the guy with the black hat and the mustache wins. What do you use when that happens? Nuke everything and start over? No. Try these first:

• Hijack This, which tries to find all the places where the baddies start themselves when you turn your computer and then nuke those hiding spots.
• Spybot, a program that runs a more thorough scan than HiJack This and also comes with a program that tries to block malicious software in the first place. Spybot has lost some street cred in recent years, though.
• RootKit Revealer, a program that goes after the most hardcore of malicious programs, the rootkit. Rootkits can hide themselves entirely from the operating system and surface to thwart your efforts to even remove other bad guys from your machine!

4. A surprise

One of the surprises many people discover is Windows Defender. WD is a program created by Microsoft, after years of suffering a bad reputation for security. MS actually wrote a program that does a good job of keeping your Windows computer humming along. Who knew?

5. What about firewalls?
So, a well-meaning person has told you that you need to install a firewall. Well, maybe you shouldn’t.

First off, because Windows XP and Vista have a software firewall installed already. An additional program watching the door isn’t going to make much difference.

Secondly, because a hardware firewall is where the real value is. Now, this is a little more advanced, but worth the effort to learn and do yourself. The best defense is offered by setting up a computer to act as the firewall between your regular machine(s) and your internet connection. There are many Linux CDs that let you convert an old computer into a hardware firewall. I happen to be partial to Coyote Linux, but almost any known distribution of Linux will do the job.

Short of using another computer as your hardware firewall, another option is to get a router to act as the firewall. Many routers, such as the Westell routers preferred by Verizon and other DSL providers, already are built to do this job. But, most cable internet providers just use a medium access controller, as opposed to a full router or modem. In these cases, you may want to buy your own router to put between your PC and your internet connection.

6. Use some sense

Nothing works better than using some good sense. When you get emails from people you don’t know, offering to make you rich if you can just help them delete those, please. Anything unsolicited should be deleted. Any unexpected files sent to you, even by a friend, should be questioned. Many times aggressive malware is using your friends’ computers and emails addresses to come after you.

When in doubt, be wary.

Your computer is a gateway to some cool stuff. Don’t let it get ruined when you can stop it with a few easy and cheap steps.