| Most people are aware that there are continuous | | | | Security Suite. The best bet here is to purchase a |
| security issues with Microsoft's Windows operating | | | | security package which includes firewall and anti virus |
| system and other programs. However, what most | | | | software as a minimum. Top brands include McAfee |
| people do not realize is how easy it is to significantly | | | | and Symantec Norton products. However, Microsoft |
| improve your computer's security and reduce the | | | | has recently entered the market with their "OneCare" |
| likelihood of becoming a victim to ever increasingly | | | | offering which is very aggressively priced. |
| sophisticated threats that lurk on the internet. These | | | | 4) Firewall - if you are using a broadband connection |
| steps should take less than a couple of hours to | | | | then a firewall is definite requirement to manage the |
| complete and should not clean out your wallet. | | | | traffic flowing between your computer and the |
| 1) Windows Update - the first crucial step you need to | | | | internet. A firewall monitors the inbound internet traffic |
| take to make sure that all your Microsoft applications | | | | passing through the ports of your computer. Better |
| have all the latest product updates installed. These | | | | products also monitor outbound traffic from your |
| updates or "patches" address security vulnerabilities | | | | computer to the internet. As per above the best bet |
| and other issues. Microsoft usually issues these | | | | here is buy a firewall application as part of a security |
| updates on a monthly cycle. Visit the Microsoft | | | | package which most vendors offer as standard. If a |
| website or switch on automatic updates from the | | | | hardware firewall is included as part of your router |
| Windows Control panel. Even if your "new" computer | | | | package then you do not need anything else. A |
| is second hand this is still a critical first step. If you buy | | | | company called Zone Labs offer a great free firewall |
| a used computer with Windows XP make sure | | | | product called Zone Alarm which should be used as a |
| Service Pack 2 or SP2 is installed. | | | | minimum. Windows XP does now ship with a free |
| 2) Strong Passwords - people often overlook this but | | | | firewall but the product does not monitor outbound |
| having well thought through passwords is an important | | | | communication and therefore I believe does not offer |
| element of your computer security. A strong | | | | adequate protection. |
| password should include at least 8 characters with a | | | | 5) Anti Spyware Tool - this software is the last piece |
| mixture of text, symbols and numbers. As a minimum | | | | in your basic internet security set up. This tool helps |
| you need to make sure the services most at risk have | | | | combat spyware and adware. There is a good |
| a strong log-in password. These services include your | | | | mixture of free and paid versions on offer. Good free |
| bank, credit card, other financial services like PayPal, | | | | software include Microsoft's Windows Defender, |
| your email address and any other services like Ebay | | | | Spybot S&D or Ewido Anti-Malware. Ewido |
| which hackers can use to generate profit. | | | | Anti-Malware is frequently recommended in computer |
| 3) Anti Virus Protection - while it is fair to say the | | | | help forums. Be careful if you decide to purchase a |
| threat of the computer virus has receded during the | | | | solution. There are a number of rogue vendors out |
| last couple of years they can still inflict serious damage | | | | there which aggressively push products which offer |
| on your computer. Part of the reason why the threat | | | | you little value. Stick to trusted names like Webroot's |
| has reduced is because PC manufactures are now | | | | Spy Sweeper or PC Tool's Spyware Doctor. These |
| more frequently bundling anti virus packages with their | | | | products always come out well on independent tests. |
| new computers. For example last year my new Dell | | | | Information on mold illness can be found at the Types |
| shipped with a 90-day trial of McAfee's Internet | | | | Of Mold site. |