<Edited to spare the sensitivities of the gentle Glitchen><snip>Much as I want to, I won't be clicking on any more links in posts. Why? <snip> I've had my computer for about 8 years. I have been a responsible owner and never, EVER had a problem, running anti-virus software regularly. <snip> Recently, I have been the victim of repeated malware attacks. <snip> My system goes south right after I click on a link in a Forum post. The latest is an audible file: "Congratulations, you are today's winner." <snip> Sad as I am It may mean I have to stop playing. But it's getting to the point where my computer isn't going to be usable. So what options do I have?
UPDATE:
About two seeks ago I lost Internet access. I then found a wonderful computer shop in my local community. They removed the rootkit virus -- they told me it really was a nasty bugger--embedded itself deep in the bowels of my OS and in reaction to my running anti virus and malware programs to get rid of it, barred my access to the internet. Evil. They confirmed that it is quite possible to pick up something really really nasty via an ad on a web page. You don't even have to mouse over the ad. Simply going to the page is enough. Apparently there are whole countries whose GNP depends on malware and viruses, which are constantly being created, updated and modified to thwart all the anti virus and malware software out there. They're getting cleverer and more sophisticated by the day. And you are likely not going to be warned you are infected. Your only clue will be that your system runs increasingly slowly. OR in my case, I picked up a rootkit that actually wants you to know it's there so it can mock you. Great. Criminals with a sense of humor.
They installed MSE (they like it, too, TomC!) and something called Sandboxie, which permits safe web browsing by quarantining your browsing and e-mail experience in a "sandbox" walled off from the rest of your computer. After your browsing session, everything is deleted without ever coming in contact with the rest of your computer. They warned that installing Sandboxie is complex to get it to run right (I'd actually tried it a couple of years ago on my own, but it basically prevented me from doing anything. Now that it's installed correctly, I will still be able to download stuff but I'll be prompted to restore the files to my actual computer so they won't be deleted when my browser or e-mail session is over.) It's a great relief to not have to worry any more. Sandboxie approaches computer protection from a different angle. Instead of trying to act as a hockey goalie, preventing every goal, it' simply walls off the goal so access is not possible. Like with vermin--store everything in sealed containers rather than trying to kill all the pests.
But I do want to raise the issue of safe browsing--it's what I was trying to convey in my original post but was too upset at the time to make clear. What I meant was that my wonderful Glitch experience had lulled me into a a false sense of safety and security. It's nice an fun here (yeah, I know, periodically there are flame wars in Forums about weird stuff, but mostly folks are lovely and it's just serene good times. Tip: just don't read the weird forum posts. But I digress.) and it feels safe. And it is, here. But all you folks pasting in links to cool pix of Glitch stuff, or other random, outside of Glitch links, please think about where you are taking the Glitch community members to via those links. Not all are reputable sites. Not all are safe. Of course, ultimately it's my responsibility to protect myself and not click on dubious links. But this is a community and I think all members of the community have a shared responsibility to respect the culture of our community. And this culture supports and encourages shared civility, care, and safety. Which means my first thought when seeing a link in a forum post will not be, "danger, warning, warning!" It is most likely going to be more like "oh neat, something cool and imaginative!" So please, consider where you are encouraging your fellow Glitchen to go when you upload a link.