So, does this mean I should turn off my anti-virus (AVG), BEFORE I surf for porn.....?A) System Restore is the preferred backup method of viruses and malware, B) most really well-written malware will still load in safe mode by creating a virtual device driver to allow at least some basic functionality when running in safe mode, as well as to shield a portion of it's code from antivirus and anti-malware software.
MBAM isn't nearly as effective in safe mode, as many of the malware infection's components won't be loaded in memory, which is where most well-written exploits take place - in memory. Also, scanning a your drive in another (non-infected) computer (known as offline scanning) is almost completely useless.
MBAM is a great tool, but it's not 100 % effective, and even when it is remediation needs to take place to really clean the system and to close any holes created.
the best methods to protect yourself are:
A) Don't be stupid. Exercise some critical thinking skills before forking over your credit info.
B) frequent backups. Don't really on System Restore. It creates a perfect, encrypted place for viruses and malware to back themselves up, and the OS graciously re-infects itself.
C) Good anti-virus. And by good, I mean good. As in Avast! Free, or Kapersky.
D) Secure your browser...it is the number one infection point.
E) Sandbox, popup blockers, script blockers, flash blockers, etc.
F) Don't be stupid.
If you aren't in the IT field, you probably shouldn't hand out computer security advice, any more than I would ask a mechanic for medical advice. Most of the advice given here is just wrong, with a few exceptions.
I didn't cover every good, basic, common sense security tactic in my comments...but then you can use Google just as effectively as I can.
Google for example - "anti-virus real world protection scores" - it might be eye-opening. You could also try Googling "how can I protect my computer from malware"? Or, "how can I recover from a malware exploit"?
If you do get infected, you can usually head over to bleepingcomputer.com for some very good, very specific advice on how to remove a virus/malware infection the right way, and how to fix all of the traces left behind and problems created.
Finally, know your OS. Know ever executable that should be running on your computer. Learn how to use the task manager to kill processes that shouldn't be running. Learn how to disable things from starting up that shouldn't be starting up.
Most importantly, get a BartPE or WinPE boot disc (mini WIndows on a CD), and download a free copy of SysInternals Suite of tools, every tool of which will run in WIndows PE Autoruns will enable you to hack out almost any startup settings for nefarious programs, and prevent them from loading at startup, even mutating infections.
Nothing hides from Autoruns...not even malware/virus infections hidden as device drivers.
That advice is also nonsense. I've seen Norton Anti-virus ads used as droppers for malware infections.