It's not bladeforums fault if you get a virus from a advertisement. Hackers crack the advertisement companies servers and upload their viruses and such there. Also it's not bladeforums fault if you're using the internet in 2014 without safeguards in place, you need antivirus software and a firewall at the very least.
If you're worried about being tracked, maybe you should delete your cookies in your internet browser. That's how Google and other advertisement agencies show you advertisements based on your previous internet searches and browsing history.
Thanks for your concern. But no need to talk down to me. I maintain the computers for my company, and if needed have access to the senior systems engineer to our largest school district here that manages a mega intranet if I need counsel or assistance.
I follow all those procedures you typed up frequently, along with others as well. I also keep a
resident spyware/malware protector running that uses definitions updated 2 - 3 times a day, and run a separate spyware/adware every week. I also run a separate (not resident) malware program as well. I never rely on one program, or even two. I have had McAfee compromised more than once, and Norton more than once as well. No preventative program is 100% accurate or effective, and many times the highest rated become the least effective in the passing of just a few months.
Years ago I had my computers compromised by a careless employee that considered himself quite the computer expert, and I am now as careful as I can reasonably be. So along with deleting cookies and history on a regular basis (no longer than once a week) and the running of the above mentioned programs on a tight schedule I have no problems.
I don't want any, either. I believe in being vigilant, aware, and educated about the risks of using a computer on today's internet that has truly become a tool of internet marketers, information gathering companies, nosy businesses and our own government (NSA). It is no longer (if it ever was) a benign public utility.
And if you can show me a computer, any computer, regardless of precautions and maintenance that can't be EASILY compromised by an experienced hacker or programmer I will gladly buy you a new knife. Personally, I simply don't see any reason to put my gear at risk when I don't need to.
Robert