Methods to avoid getting infected.

Interesting...

I know have a Virtual Machine with the free version of AVG on it. If I think something is out of line, I will run/scan the file in the VM. Then if it gets infected I don't have to worry as much.

I'm pretty much with S0lo on this. I use an external hardware firewall on the internet connection rather than the Windows one, have either AVG (my home PCs) or Trend (company laptop) which automatically update. All critical patches and service packs go straight in, and I also have Spybot's resident protection (TeaTimer) running and I regularly update Spybot and reimmunise. On top of that, I'm careful about what I do online. I haven't had an infection for four years.

I have used Spybot's TeaTimer before. I will plan on using it again.