The Dark Forces of the Internet

I have recently experienced a complete computer crash due to viruses and spyware. I was using my computer as normal, didn't go on any new sites or used something new, and all the sudden an antivirus downloaded itself onto my system and scanned my computer. It said I had many viruses and what not on it, but to get rid of them I had to buy an antivirus. Knowing that I didn't have to buy an antivirus to get rid of them, I went online to download AVG or Avast!. When I went to the webpage that would allow me to download them for free, or any other free antivirus, the page wouldn't load. But if I were to try to access a page that had antiviruses I had to pay for, the pages would load like normal and prompt me to purchase the antivirus. My friend told me that some of the antivirus companies make viruses so that you have to purchase one to get your computer work as normal. I've had the computer for over two years and never had an antivirus on it because I'm very careful about the sites I access and e-mails I open and answer. My friend worked on it for three days, got rid of all the viruses, but couldn't access the internet even though the connection was perfect. At that point, I told him to do the emergency recovery of my system so I could be done with it. I lost all my documents, except for my pictures.

The lesson learned from that fiasco? Buy an iMac. And that's just what I did.

Oh, and I now have an antivirus on my computer. Though, a free one.