Top 5 ways to stay safe online

Don't click links or accept file transfers from messenger windows, especially if it is the only content in the window.

Messenger clients are often hijacked by viruses and spyware and then send links or files to everyone on the buddy list to spread themselves around.

Get an antivirus program.

AV software is an essential if you have a PC these days. Make sure to learn how to recognize when the software has found a real problem and what steps to follow when it has.

Get an anti-spyware program.

Windows XP and Vista come with Windows Defender, however, this alone is not enough. Being built into the system means that most programmers will mask their badware from it. Get a separate program like Spybot S&D.

Enable your firewall.

Even if you are behind a hardware router, a software firewall is still a strong line of defense. Most trojans don't carry their full payload in the software they hide in. When you execute them, they connect to a server and download and install the rest of the program. A good software firewall will be able to spot and block this type of activity.

Keep your system up to date.

Weekly system updates help plug holes that badware can use to infect your system.