Thank You! and How do I Best Protect My Computer Going Forward?

I work for a company that does not want to pay for anything, let alone anti-virus or anti-spyware software. My work computer was attacked by malware last week, it hijacked my browser, stopped Outlook from functioning, disabled Task Manager and delted my System Restore points. I tried numerous fixes and scans, even went to the C:| prompt and deleted some of the corrupt files myself when the cleaner couldn't do it (until it corrupted the executable file for the prompt itself).

Anyway I finally found this site and it saved my computer! I followed Chaslang's READ ME FIRST malware removal instructions and my computer seems to be back to normal. The scans found A LOT of corrupt files, trojans, viruses, hijackers, so it was no easy feat. That was my overly long-winded THANK YOU Chaslang!!!

Now... how do I protect myself going forward? I see there is a post by Chaslang with Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Firewall options but there seems to be a lot of overlap and numerous options. What is the best combination of FREE software that I can install? I am currently running a trial version of Trend Micro Internet Security but it will expire in a month (I downloaded it in one of my early attempts to remove the malware). I am also running the free version of Super Anti-Spyware but according to the post only the full version will protect me. Which I cannot buy because my company is too CHEAP to pay for it.

Also, I have a portable drive to transport files between work and home, and as a clothing designer I need to keep copies of all of my artwork, specs, etc for when I switch jobs. Is it possible that the files are now corrupted? They are, unfortunately, irreplacable. I am running Norton Internet Security on my home computer, will that protect me if they are?

I am currently running Windows XP if that helps. If anyone can answer my questions please do... thanks.

 

The problem you face here is that nearly all of the free anti virus products are for home users anyway. Thus I cannot say that you should download the following products:
http://free-av.com/en/index.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/free-internet-security.php

When you do not run the install for the last item in the list you will be given the option to choose an anti-virus or firewall or both. I recommend you uncheck the anti-virus part and just install the firewall only.

With the first link, which is an antivirus product, make sure you only have one antivirus installed at once. That means if you decide to use the first product you must uninstall trend micro internet security and do not install the antivirus from comodo (the last link)

Not that you will install any of these programs on a company machine anyway

 

I reccomend avg free edition easily acceseced by google (very popular program)