Thanks guys,
Oh i am much more careful today, i keep my internet security knowledge updated all the time, thinking thrice before i do something online (post, purchase, share, view, download...)
While it is impossible to achieve 100% security online, multi-layered protection is a definite must, it's useless to rely on Antivirus alone, or firewall alone, also the approach "i don't need antivirus and firewall, i will be very careful" just won't work , and it is irresponsible to think it will.
The more layers of security you have the less chance you have to be infected or hacked, and i am not talking about installing 10 antivirus programs on your computer, it will die.
I have been working with the following security method for the last 5 years, and while it is individual, it's is not the best one, just one that worked for me, worked well.
First layer being the Prevention layer, it's best to not let any infection get into your system at all, a lot better than working hard to remove it later.
And if you did get infected, second layer comes to play - Detection, a good antivirus to detect the culprit and get rid of it if possible.
If your antivirus program fails to remove the virus, third layer is the Cure, a good software that will remove the malware for you.
The final layer being the Backup layer, you don't know yet just how important it is to backup your data at a secure location, imagine loosing all you family photos & videos, your work files, business contracts, clients database and other important data. Well it's better not to imagine that and just use a nice backup software, for the record i am using Genie Timeline Professional and am very satisfied with it's work.
There are several mini layers in between the big ones i have mentioned, such as your passwords, you must never have the same password for all your online accounts, also don't keep your password in a word file called "my passwords" :)
Browser security is also of grand important as 90% of the time you are using your computer you are in your browser, i am using Comodo web inspector and PrivDog to keep me safer, it prevents tracking, cookies, 3rd party widgets, blocks ads and blocks from websites to collect statistics, basically the same as Surfing Protection by iObit does, but it doesn't work in my browser for some reason.
It's important to keep all of your software and drivers updated (antivirus database for example :) )
There is of course much more, such as secure wi-fi connection, emails and files encryption, your whole system encryption, and plainly just being vigilant with what you do online, for example when you shop online there are several points you have to take into consideration prior to giving you personal information and credit card.
Of course it's like i mentioned before individual, and it doesn't have to be this complicated always, just remember if it's complicated for you it's complicated for the hacker/malware.
An don't even let me started with "parental control", i have a daughter and it's a huge issue for me, i know exactly what she will be able to find online in a couple of years, for now she's just chewing on her Notebook toy.
I thing instead of ranting here i will post my comprehensive internet security guides here.
I know a lot of what i am writing here is "tell us something we don't know", but i sill hope some of it was useful.
:mrgreen: