The most painful time for me was in 2005, in the second half of 2005, one of my QQ accounts was stolen four times. I got it back using password protection, but then it was stolen again, always like that (later I found out that just because antivirus software doesn't report a virus, it doesn't mean there isn't one. In hacker terminology, this is called "packing." Viruses with a shell cannot be detected by antivirus software.)
From the beginning of 2007 to now, I haven't had headaches about viruses or account theft for more than half a year. There are still some small annoyances, such as Kaspersky occasionally telling me that an unknown IP address is trying to attack me, haha.
Alright, let's talk about experience. Experts, don't laugh at me, hehe.
The first thing is the most basic: the choice and setting of the operating system.
(I recommend choosing XP, which 95% of people are using now.)
I started using Win98, then moved on to Win2000, then WinXP, and now Vista. Of course, Vista is the best, but so far, there hasn't been a mature pirated version available. Most are time-limited, and there are ways to bypass the time limit, but it's too troublesome. You have to upgrade your BIOS, and it has to be a branded computer. So if you don't have the money to buy a genuine copy, use XP.
1. There are many types of pirated XP versions.
In 2005, I used the Russian version, which couldn't be upgraded, so I don't recommend it.
Now I'm using Rainforest Maple V3.5, which can be infinitely upgraded. If you have fast internet, you can download it from Xunlei or eDonkey; if your internet is slow, it's better to buy a copy. I haven't used other versions, so if anyone knows which version is good, feel free to recommend it below. I've been using Rainforest Maple V3.5 for four months and only found one problem: every time I boot up, it prompts me about new hardware. However, this has nothing to do with antivirus, so I won't go into detail.
(http://bbs.zol.com.cn/index20070930/index_225_58475.html This is the download link for the latest version of Rainforest Maple.)
2. Set the XP firewall to enabled.
Personally, I think this is better than other brands' firewalls, and there's no conflict with antivirus software.
3. Set automatic updates to enabled.
(You can find the firewall and automatic updates in Control Panel > Security Center.)
The second thing is the antivirus software.
Currently, the best one I've used is Kaspersky. The only downside is that Kaspersky keys are hard to find. I don't have any tricks for finding keys. Currently, I'm using a key given to me by a friend, which works for two years until next summer. My friend's key works for three years until 2009. Keys for other antivirus software can also be obtained, but this isn't my specialty, so I won't go into detail. (Download website http://www.kaspersky.com.cn/KL-Downloads.htm The official site is a bit slow.)
The third thing is the browser.
Currently, most people in China use IE because it comes pre-installed with Windows, giving it a natural advantage. About 90% of users in China use it.
I originally used IE, but starting in 2005, I switched to TT (Tencent). I found TT unstable and not professional enough, as it often crashes unexpectedly for no reason.
In 2006, I used Maxthon, which was much more stable than TT. Additionally, its bookmark sync feature allows you to register an account and save your bookmarks to the official website, so you can access them when using other computers. It also blocks pop-up ads and malicious advertisements.
In 2007, Firefox became popular, so I used it for more than half a year. The main reason was its enhanced antivirus features, which impacted IE. Additionally, it offers stability, bookmark synchronization, and ad-blocking. It also frequently updates patches and releases new versions, complementing antivirus software. Download website (http://www.niujijin.cn/ This is the download link for Firefox, and the download speed is acceptable.)
In the second half of 2008, I plan to switch back to IE because I heard that the latest version of IE will strengthen its antivirus function. After all, Microsoft controls the operating system, and other browsers can only compete with Microsoft in user experience and antivirus capabilities. The most stable browser is still IE.
The fourth thing is cultivating self-awareness for prevention.
1. Do not perform online banking operations, high-value game account operations, or stock trading operations in internet cafes.
Remember, the most dangerous viruses are those that antivirus software or firewalls cannot detect. This is what makes them terrifying. Internet cafes are hotspots for viruses. If one computer is infected, it can quickly spread to others. Many people lose their accounts in internet cafes.
2. Make your passwords as long as possible under the premise that you can remember them. Use a combination of letters and numbers.
A six-digit numeric password can be cracked by even the least skilled hacker within a second.
A seven-character combined password would take a novice hacker several dozen minutes.
It's best to set a password of eight characters or more.
3. Don't click on links from small websites or sent by strangers.
Nowadays, behind malware or viruses lies an entire industry chain. Veteran hackers can make several hundred thousand yuan per year without issue.
Their money comes from us ignorant netizens, so be careful.
I'm exhausted after rambling on so much. I wonder if it's valuable to everyone.