Sometimes, I just get flat out tired of taking malware off of people's machines. So, when I found this article, I used it to create a check-list. Now, if someone asks me to help them, I also ask them to let me set up their machine so that it is safer!
I even make them a little folder on their desktop that says "Weekly Cleaning." In it, I organize shortcuts to the top five things (programs, usually) they need to do, in order, each week.
For beginner level users, I install, configure, and then provide links and basic "how to" instructions to run (in the order indicated):
1. Ccleaner
2. Spybot Search and Destroy (free version)
3. Mozyhome (free version)- this one backs up key files, usually their "My Docs", to a free account in the cloud. You can set it to do so automatically, too, but I ask them to do it weekly manually, as part of their "Weekly Cleaning".)
Of course, I also double check their antivirus. In particular, I make sure they are getting auto-updates of it, and of virus definitions.
Want a ton more details on ways to "lock down" your machine?
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/safe-computing-under-hour.htm
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