I think it's not just ./configure , make , make install i have a biger trouble installing various applications

Hello everybody .... it's my first post here and i hope i could found myself nice and usefull here ..

i have a problem getting my way in linux which is the installation phase of some software , ithink it's very important phase also as an admin getting my way to linux ...

1- i can't use YUM at home cause it runs the yumupdatesd Daemon which slows down the computer for days with minimal response so i desabled this Daemon , but i know of course how to use yum , already using it at work.

2- I have downloaded some software mp3players , VLC , Desktop software , extracted it and follow the instructions in the help files ....

./configure ======> it works

make ======> no displaying " make: *** No targets specified and no makefile found. Stop. "

make install ======> ofcourse doesn't " make: *** No rule to make target `install'. Stop. "

3- is there anyway to use yum without leting this Daemon runs waisting resources .

4- do i have to use antivirus or anti rootkits

Thank u so much