The shortest vimrc I can possibly stand (minimal-vimrc)

.vimrc

" tshanks minimal vimrc

set backup
"set backupdir=~/vimbackups

set visualbell
set secure         " disable trojan modelines (hopefully)

" Switch syntax highlighting on, when the terminal has colors
" Also switch on highlighting the last used search pattern.
if &t_Co > 2 || has("gui_running")
  syntax on
  set hlsearch
endif

filetype plugin indent on