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