I protect my files with free encryption software from this site: http://www.abisoft.net/bd.html, nothing and I mean nothing will be able to access your files once they are encrypted, it is free encryption software that uses 448 bit Blowfish encryption algorithm. And there is no spy ware threat when you download this from the site.

On top of that I use AVG7 free anti virus software http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/2/ ( scroll down the page and click on free link) backed up with norton2005 anti virus with firewall protection, which I configured to block all ip ports I don’t use to stop people from remote accessing my pc whilst online, all are configured to automatically update daily or when a new virus is released to protect my files, next I have spy sweeper, name says it all, gets loads of spy ware that most browsers miss, bt yahoo also has browser spy ware installed but is rubbish, spybot is good for removing malicious software from downloadable sites but can mess with your cookies if not configured properly, try this link http://www.vnunet.com/downloads/ for more free software including free firewalls, antivirus the list is endless.

all my email accounts are virus scanned automatically before they are accessed by me and attachments removed, I never open emails from people I don’t know, when setting up the pc I put NO personal details at all in the pc and I don’t have a bank account so no credit card details are used, and when I buy of ebay I use money orders or cash to pay for my items.

But most important thing I do is I have automatic updates turned ON from Microsoft to download patches automatically for the software when a threat is identified by them.

to say i am paraniod is an understatement but it is not often i get hit with viruses, and when i do i am well prepared to say the least lol.

i trick i have learned from getting viruses before is to bookmark or save to favorites sites that can remove malicious software for example http://securityresponse.symantec.com...ools.list.html lists all the malignant software removal tools and you are only a click away to save your files. and it is also free!!! enjoy.