The least expensive way to increase the performance of a PC is to limit applications that are running in the background. Check the Taskbar in the lower right corner of your screen near the clock. Do you need all those apps launching every time your PC boots?
Hyperlinks : Risky Business
One of the easiest ways to get infected is through a little mouse-click. Be prudent as you consider clicking a link on a webpage or in an email. Does the link direct you off of the original domain you accessed or the one with which you are familiar? If the link is in an email, do you know the sender? Did you request this message and/or content? Anti-malware software can help protect us, but we are still driving and we are in control of our destiny. Ask yourself: "Do I need to follow this link? Is there any risk? Is this PC mission-critical?"