Feel free to ask questions - BUT PLEASE - read the guide first - then ask.

I noticed a fair amount of users seems sceptical to the links posted, so I decided to make this neat and easy to understand guide, to help you all survive while surfing the Internet's many sites.

Nice link about data scams:
USA Today: Data scams...

More might be added later - so stay tuned.

This guide has so far 6 steps.

1. Getting a better browser
2. Add-ons for Firefox
3. Anti-virus program
4. Firewall
5. Other programs
6. Being cautious



WARNING! DO NOT QUOTE THIS POST- IF YOU DO - EXCLUDE EVERYTHING IN THIS POST - I DON'T WANT BIG QUOTES IN THIS THREAD.

Feel free to ask questions - BUT PLEASE - read the guide first - then ask.

WARNING! TALK OF TORRENTS AND OTHER MEANS OF ILLEGAL DOWNLOAD IS DISCOURAGED AND WILL BE REPORTED.

Thread about whether or not the internet is harmful:
http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-130034/Is-internet-harmful-or-is-it-safe.html




The majority of internet users use Internet Explorer (of any version) to browse on the internet, this makes IE users a strong target for viruses and other bad things you don't want.


The browser I recommend using is Firefox, because of it's numerous addons that allows you to modify a lot.
Download Firefox

Another browser that works fine is Opera, but you can't install addons on it (as far as I know) and I won't elaborate further about that browser, since the rest of the steps in my guide requires Firefox.
Download Opera

Safari isn't a especially common browser, and therefore not a big target for security fault exploitations. I don't have any big experience with it, but if you're willing to try - go ahead.
Download Safari


Chrome, is a new browser made by Google. From what I've heard it is a nice browser, with options that are usually not available for other browsers. You might see it as a partially internet browser and partially an OS system. Worth checking out, even if you're going to use Firefox.
Chrome

Lunascape seems like an interesting browser, uses 3 different search engines (firefox among them). Haven't tried it. Below link contains link to American and Japanese site.
Lunascape



Recommended addons are:

AdBlock Plus: Why AdBlock Plus?
AdBlock Plus allows you to block ads that you encounter, and by blocking them you can safely avoid intrusive ads that might be harmful - the less ads the better I say.
Please show restraint when blocking ads, because some sites survive solely on ads, and if they ain't intrusive, why not?
Download AdBlock Plus


WOT (Web of Trust): Why WOT?
WOT shows you what sites have been given a good rating, or a bad rating. You can see this in links in your emails, on your google searches and when you're basically entering a site. If the site is bad you'll get a full screen warning of the ratings the site has.
Download WOT


NoScript: Why NoScript?
No Script will in almost all situations block any scripts on the sites you visit, so combined with AdBlock Plus you're extra safe from harm. You can allow the scripts on the sites you choose, or temporary allow all scripts. Personally, I used it before - but I got tired of having to allow every new site I visited, and I'm fairly experienced in what is safe and not - so I'm not using the addon, but for those that are still uncertain and inexperienced, this is a highly recommended addon.
Download NoScript


InterClue:
This addon allows you to find out what is behind a link before entering that site. Can be quite useful, especially in cases when WOT fails to help you out.
Download InterClue


-- Not really related to security, but it's nice having:
Dictionary addons: Why?
I don't know how my fellow Crunchyrollers have it, but I tend to forget how to spell some words, and with the help of dictionary addons I can easily spot the mistake and be shown suggestions on what is correct. You can also add words, that you know are correctly spelled.
English; United States - Download dictionary
English; British - Download dictionary



Out in the dangerous internet world, there are a lot that wants to inflict harm to the computers around the world. So help defend us against that, there are a lot of firms that sell Anti-virus programs.

Here are some examples, and recommendations:

Norton: Why not Norton?
Norton is probably one of the most common anti-virus programs out there, and sadly not one of the best. All the previous versions of this program has taken up a large quantity of your RAM and generally made computers slower than they should. It's not without reason, that some (among them, me) proclaim that Norton is a virus in itself.
Norton

AVG: Why AVG?
AVG anti-virus is efficient, actually finds the viruses and does not take up a large quantity of your RAM. You can get it for free from the site itself, or pay for a better version.
AVG

Nod32: Why Nod32?
Nod32, or ESET Nod32 Anti virus is a well made program, takes little space, does its work and finds the viruses. You'll barely notice it, even when it is scanning. Available for 30 days of trial, and paid version.
Nod32



There are more anti virus programs out there, that probably do a nice job - but mentioning every anti virus program would be just silly.



If you're using a router, you won't really need a firewall. As all routers have what is known as hardware firewall. The router itself works as a firewall. However, if you still feel it is necessary for you - then this step is for you.

Windows Firewall:
Windows Firewall faces the same issue as Internet Explorer, the majority uses it. Therefore the "bad guys" of the internet strive harder to find holes in the firewall - and to be honest, Windows Firewall is filled with holes.

ZoneAlarm:
Zone Alarm is a powerful firewall, that is strict and can cause several problems. In fact, it's so strict that it'll eventually not allow you to see your grandmother without proper protection, allow you to play that nostalgia game of yours or un-install it. In the end it'll sell your body to a foreign traveller and you'll be a lost soul among many others. That is what my previous experience has taught me.
ZoneAlarm

COMODO:
COMODO is a very restrictive firewall, you'll need to place a lot of things in either "safe files" or "blocked files". It does it work, maybe too well - but at least it won't rob you off your hobbies, as it is user friendly (Meaning; You can customize easier what to allow and not). It also contains an anti-virus program. I used it previously, was happy with it, but eventually I grew tired of having to allow new programs on new installs.
COMODO

Hurricane Firewall:
Hurricane is a firewall I've been recommended over COMODO, sadly I've yet to try it out. But, I trust my source when I say that it is better than the restrictive COMODO.
Official site: Hurricane Soft
Free downloads: Download Hurricane Firewall




There isn't only viruses one should worry about, but malfunctions that are intentionally made. To protect yourself against this, there are several programs that can do the trick.

Ad-Aware:
Ad-aware is made to get rid off malfunctions and other nasty stuff. Works well, does what is required of it and nothing more.
Ad-Aware

Malwarebytes:

Available in free and paid version.
Malwarebytes

SuperAntiSpyware:
I've tried this program before, and it does the trick. It can find even the most notorious spyware, from my experience - but, as a friend once told me - "Don't count your chickens." <_<
Comes in free and professional edition.
SuperAntiSpyware

Spyware Sweeper:
I don't have much experience with this product, but from other sources can tell me - it's quite good and reliable. You can trust this product to do its job.
Spyware Sweeper

Spybot S&D:
Spybot Search & Destroy, is one of the programs that I am the most satisfied with. This program can find what others might not find. A good choice from what my experience has told me.
Spybot S&D

CCleaner:
Works well and does its job nicely.
CCleaner

Trend Micro Internet Security:
From what I know, this is a reliable and solid program, it includes anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall and other miscellaneous things.
Trial & Paid version Trend Micro

Avira:
From what I've heard, this too is a reliable and trustworthy program. It has anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-phishing, firewall and other neat security applications.
Trial & Paid Version of Avira
Free Avira

Avast!:
Avast! is one of the many programs I've tried, and it is one of those I am satisfied with as well. It does its job, finds the unwanted content. However, it is a while since I've used it - so my experience has faded away a bit. However, still seems promising since one of our users recommended it.
60 Trial & Paid Avast!




Deep Freeze


HijackThis

Download HiJackThis

HiJackThis Log Analyzer
http://www.hijackthis.de/en





Using forums, chatting programs and whatnot can be fun, but there is always the chance of a malicious link entering.

Edsamac made a nice reply about this;
Edsamac's post



A few things you should be aware of:

If a friend sends you a message with a link, and it seems a bit odd - and he/she goes off-line right afterwards, it's most likely not your friend messaging it, but a malware the friend has gotten.

Example of that happening:
[Name of friend] check out these awesome pics from the awesome party LOL http://url
OMG u gotta see this! Go here: http://url

These are two separate examples of messages I've received from one friend, first hint that something was wrong was that he wrote to me in English. The second was that his name was in the beginning of the first example - written like forename.last name. Thirdly was the url, that contained my name, or his or as in the last example - my name and Obama - which was rather suspicious.

Another example is if a friend tries to send you a .zip/.rar/similar formats - file, and doesn't answer you. Could once again be malware, so instead of accepting it, and eventually spreading a malware even more - just cancel it, and if it wasn't malware, make your friend respond before trying to send you files.

If you enter a thread on a forum, that has a suspicious link, check the replies, they'll usually mention at some point if something is wrong, usually within the first page.

Also, sometimes a user on a forum will get hacked, this happens because that user somehow got a malware that saves all the usernames & passwords entered, and sends them to the owner of the malware.

One example of a user being hacked would be:
Thread name: Naked pictures of sex leg
Post: OMG check out thes naked pictures of sex leg!! *suspicious link*

If you ever get a pop-up saying this:



DO NOT CLICK IT! It is a virus, and is just trying to trick you by pretending to be good.

Some forum, the hacked users will post url links that have .cn in them. Now, I'm not telling you to avoid every Chinese site out there, but if it says something in the line of:

www. hot sexleg . jpg . cn - it's most likely a bad link.

Wow I don't use any of those add-ons or have a firewall. I do use McAfee though, it's great

Well, everyone has a different need for being secure. Some manage with barely anything, while others need practically everything.

Will be adding more programs later, and some examples on links you should avoid straight away.

Edit: Seems some people at random just delete their posts. Please do not feel discourage to say what programs you are using.

I've installed a deep freeze program in my PC. So everytime I reset my PC, the previous settings will be restored.

To prevent my downloads going down the drain, I've created a thaw space where I could dump all my downloads in that drive. I've also installed an ESET antivirus to clean up my thaw space before I unfreeze my system.

Sounds like an interesting, yet highly efficient way of keeping your computer safe and clean.

Care to elaborate on what program it is you're using, how you use it and how user friendly it is?

Norton slowed down my PC like hell, so i purchased a copy of Kaspersky instead :)
and Safari is a pretty good browser, since it almost never crashes.

I'm not good on explaining things so here's a link to give you the pros and cons of that program.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Freeze_(software)

Based on my own experience, it's quite frustrating when you forgot to save your download and your other work in the thaw space(a partitioned drive that isn't effected by the program) and accidentally reboot your system. Another problem about the Deep Freeze is the cost of acquiring this program (A friend of mine said that it cost at least 15,000 Php, that's about 333USD) unless of course you have a generous friend who is willing enough to share that program. And finally, it's a bit of a hassle when you install and uninstall some other programs since you have to thaw the system and freeze it back again once you're done.

Despite it's drawbacks, it's a pretty reliable program.

Sounds familiar to me. The only experience I've had with Safari was on a laptop with Ubuntu Linux, and it crashed all the time :(

Edit:

Thanks Maou, for sharing that with us. I'll include that in an optional step in the guide - with a warning, not for new beginners.

:|

Erm..

I use Firefox and AVG from that list? XD

Not bad, pretty good guide for average users

Yeah I recommend NOD32 (what I use) also recommend Kaspersky.

Heres a link for a 6month key from Kaspersky from their Spring Festival celebration.
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fli.kaba365.com%2F&sl=zh-CN&tl=en

Other ones worth mentioning are PC-cillin, Avira and Avast!

Also keeping windows update - up to date (fixes security holes and exploits)

As for antispyware/malware theres Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, SpySweeper, SpyBot SD.

Or you could just run Linux or a Mac like me and never have to worry about any of that stuff.

Oh and just for the record, Safari is not great. I used it on my Mac machines for a while and it's faster than Firefox but you can't beat the greatness of Firefox addons.

Yep very common for most users yet very effective :)

Some people just stick with the things that come with their computers not realizing that it says "your license is expired.. please renew" and they just go on their with their day then when theres someone wrong with their computers they go to BB's Geeksquad and pay uber $$$ to fix something that can easily be done at home ^^.

Thank you for your contributions, I'll be sure to add those programs to the guide at a later date (Read: After I've slept)



That might be true, but I'd still prefer a computer with an Microsoft OS before Linux or Mac.

Why? Because Linux and Mac isn't so popular, and therefore there is a lot of programs not adapted to neither Linux or Mac. I have Linux on my laptop, and I can't say I am overly impressed. Linux is in my opinion, an OS for people who enjoy changing a lot on their OS, and doesn't play much. Can't say much about Mac since I've never owned one, but it seems okay - yet a bit overrated.

thank you for your links, it was nice of you to post them.
question - Why are macbooks considered super good?

I have all this shit x)