| Spyware, viruses and worms... oh my! | | | | you will need to update it when you get |
| If you are connected to the internet, | | | | connected to the internet. |
| you need to make sure you get your | | | | It doesn't matter how new your computer |
| computer set up properly if you want to | | | | is - there will be new viruses, and new |
| avoid problems down the road. | | | | updates for the antivirus software, |
| With all the viruses, spyware and other | | | | since it was loaded. |
| threats on the internet today, no | | | | The exact process is different for each |
| computer should be set up without the | | | | brand of antivirus program, but most of |
| proper protection. | | | | them will have an icon in the bottom |
| And that protection needs to be in place | | | | right corner of your desktop, beside the |
| as soon after you hook up your new | | | | time. The icon might be a picture of a |
| machine as possible. | | | | shield (McAfee), a stethoscope (Norton) |
| The following five steps will make your | | | | or something else. |
| computer a much harder target for | | | | In most cases, if you point to the icon |
| threats. You still won't be completely | | | | for your antivirus and click the right |
| immune to problems, but 99% of the time | | | | mouse button, a menu will pop up with an |
| the threat will pass you by, looking for | | | | update option. It could be simply called |
| the easy mark. | | | | update or could be something like Live |
| 1. Running a Personal Firewall | | | | Update or Download Latest Updates. If |
| A personal firewall is software that | | | | you click on the update option (with the |
| basically makes your computer invisible | | | | left button this time) it will install |
| to hackers, worms and other threats that | | | | the newest updates for you. |
| can infect your computer over the | | | | If you are not sure which icon is for |
| internet. | | | | your antivirus software, just point to |
| Setting up a firewall is the absolute | | | | each one for a few seconds and a little |
| first thing you should do if you're | | | | title should pop up telling you what it |
| going to connect to the internet. | | | | is. |
| Without a firewall, your computer could | | | | 4. Install Anti-Spyware Software |
| get infected in as little as one minute | | | | Spyware - and other things known as |
| after connecting. | | | | adware and malware - is becoming as big |
| If you have a brand new computer running | | | | a problem as viruses. Spyware programs |
| Windows XP Service Pack 2, there is a | | | | can cause a lot of problems with your |
| firewall built into Windows. It will | | | | computer, not to mention they can track |
| already have been turned on when you | | | | your personal information and you never |
| first set up your computer. | | | | know where it is being sent. |
| If you're running an older version of | | | | Some new computers might include |
| Windows, even an earlier version of | | | | antispyware software, but most of them |
| Windows XP, there is no firewall | | | | do not yet. There are quite a few |
| automatically set up for you. In this | | | | anti-spyware programs available, some |
| case there are two possibilities: | | | | free and some not. The one I recommend |
| - Your computer came pre-loaded with a | | | | is from Microsoft and is one of the free |
| firewall such as Norton Internet | | | | ones. |
| Security or McAfee Internet Security | | | | One of the reasons I like it is because |
| - You have no firewall installed and | | | | it always runs in the background and |
| should download one ASAP. | | | | will automatically catch a lot of |
| If you don't have any personal firewall | | | | spyware before it gets on your computer. |
| software installed, you should do so | | | | Many of the other programs do not catch |
| right away. Zone Alarm is a very good | | | | it until you run a scan. Not only does |
| firewall program that has a version that | | | | this allow things to get on your |
| you can download and install for free. | | | | computer, it also means you have to |
| You can download the free version of | | | | actually remember to run a scan. |
| Zone Alarm from | | | | You can download the free Microsoft |
| 2. Turn on Windows Updates | | | | Antispyware from |
| Again, if you're running Windows XP | | | | 5. Set up a Free Email Account |
| Service Pack 2 this is already set up, | | | | This last item is not as critical as the |
| but otherwise you should turn on Windows | | | | first four, but I would highly recommend |
| Updates. Microsoft releases updates for | | | | you set up an email account with one of |
| security problems and other bugs in | | | | the free services like Hotmail or Gmail. |
| Windows on a regular basis. | | | | Once you are on the internet, you will |
| These updates will keep your computer | | | | find a lot of useful information that |
| running better, and they often fix | | | | you want that requires you to provide an |
| security issues that could compromise | | | | email address. In some cases, these |
| your information or privacy. | | | | people will end up sending you a bunch |
| If you are running Windows XP Service | | | | of spam. |
| Pack 2, you can double-check that | | | | If you use a free email account to sign |
| automatic updates are turned on by | | | | up for anything that you do not know for |
| clicking Start, then click Control | | | | sure you can trust, it is not going to |
| Panel, then double-click Security | | | | fill your main email with a bunch of |
| Center. The window that opens will tell | | | | junk. |
| you if automatic updates are turned on, | | | | This goes for anything really, not just |
| and lets you turn them on if they're | | | | online information. If you are entering |
| not. | | | | a contest or signing up for anything |
| To turn on automatic updates in earlier | | | | offline and you do not know where your |
| versions of Windows XP, click on the | | | | information could end up being used, I |
| Start menu, click Control Panel and then | | | | would suggest using your free email |
| double-click on System. On the | | | | address. |
| "Automatic Updates" tab, click the | | | | If worse comes to worse, and your free |
| option to "Automatically download the | | | | email address gets inundated with spam, |
| updates and install them on the schedule | | | | you can always just set up a new one and |
| I specify." | | | | let the old one expire. |
| To turn them on in Windows 2000, click | | | | Some of the better free email services |
| on Start, click Control Panel and then | | | | are and |
| double-click on Automatic Updates. | | | | If you have had your computer for a |
| Again, click the option to | | | | while and never done any of these |
| "automatically download the updates and | | | | things, you should still take these |
| install them on the schedule I specify." | | | | steps to get it set up properly. It will |
| Now when Microsoft releases updates, | | | | definitely save you a lot of time - and |
| they will be downloaded for you | | | | possibly money - as you use your system. |
| automatically and Windows will tell you | | | | Did you find this article useful? For |
| when they are ready to be installed. | | | | more useful tips, hints, points to |
| 3. Install & Update Antivirus Software | | | | ponder and keep in mind, techniques, and |
| Most new computers come with antivirus | | | | insights pertaining to guides on |
| software these days. You might have | | | | hacking, spam, website and computer tips |
| Norton, McAfee, PC-Cillin or another | | | | , with solutions , do please browse for |
| brand. No matter what program you have, | | | | more information at our websites. |