How do you know /for sure/ that a computer is clean?

[Skill_Caster]

I've recently got a new computer. It's running MSE and Spybot (no resident shield with Spybot though, I don't use TeaTimer), and I have a secure setup with Firefox. When I scan, the scans come up clean. When I scan in safe mode, the scans come up clean. I still worry somtimes, however, that there may potentially be some kind of malware on my computer. That's just how I am. I'm paranoid and OCD, and it even gets to me with my technology... how do you know for sure that a PC is clean?

[OldJoe]

By not owning one.

 

Remove Spybot and run Malwarebytes instead, better program.

What can i say... Keep your programs up to date, make sure you, and you alone, are the one using the computer, run scans with those two programs whenever you feel like it. Don't go into websites with dubious content, WOT is a nice add-on for Firefox (but don't trust it blindly). If you are using Wlan, make sure it's safe and that none of your neighbours are using it.

And try working on your paranoia.

[Guy]

Just be careful what you download. You will not get a virus so long as you don't go to shady websites and don't download random things which you're not entirely sure of the trustworthiness of the origin. I think you can run MSE alongside another AV, such as avast or similar - at least I do. You could always try that.

[Ember]

.

[Sbrideau]

Just be careful what you download. You will not get a virus so long as you don't go to shady websites and don't download random things which you're not entirely sure of the trustworthiness of the origin. I think you can run MSE alongside another AV, such as avast or similar - at least I do. You could always try that.

 

Never use 2 antiviruses at the same time, they will conflict. Now an Antivirus and an AntiMalware is different, which means that it's safe to have MSE and Malwarebytes installed at the same time.