5 Simple ways to keep your computer secure and virus free

These simple tips will help you stay virus and spyware free, even if
you're connected to the internet 24 hours a day.

1. Protect yourself
   Good protection on the Internet these days consists of 3 components:
   anti-virus software, anti-spyware software and a firewall.
   As for a firewall, Windows XP ships with a decent enough firewall. Just
   make sure it is always enabled. Alternatively you can visit a site like
   www.download.com and search for Zone Alarm, which has an excellent free
   version.
   The most important thing to keep in mind is that you need to keep your
   anti-virus software up to date. An anti-virus program that uses
   definitions that are months old is just about useless.
   Update your anti-virus and anti-spyware software at least once a week.
2. Stop opening every attachment you receive.
   Most of the devastating worms and viruses of recent times were
   distributed via email. These viruses feed on the curiosity and also the
   ignorance of a huge number of email users. People will get an email
   from fakename@weirdsuspiciousdomain and they'll just open whatever file
   is attached to it.
   If you don't know the sender, don't open the attachment - just delete
   it. It doesn't matter if the subject promises you'll see Britney Spears
   dancing nude on the kitchen table, just delete it.
   If the email is from someone you know, always scan any attachments
   first before downloading or opening them.
   If every email user in the world followed these simple guidelines the
   distribution of viruses via email will grind to a halt.
3. Stay clear of pornographic and illegal software sites
   If you want to pick up viruses and spyware quickly, visit some
   pornographic web sites. One wrong click on a subtle little pop-up or
   security warning window (which you'll run into often on these type of
   sites) and you'll have infested yourself with trojan horses, spyware,
   dialers and other unfavorable software that could leave your computer
   wide open to further attacks.
   The same goes for web sites distributing software, serial codes and
   cracks illegally (warez).
   Simply put - keep out of the dark side of the web and the odds of
   keeping your computer clean shifts decidedly in your favor.
4. Watch out what you download
   Spyware is embedded in a lot of software on the Internet - especially
   those related to ripping, converting and playing music and videos. That
   free MP3 player or DVD Ripper you just downloaded may have installed a
   bunch of harmful spyware without you even knowing about it.
5. Keep yourself informed
   Major anti-virus software developers like Symantec and Grisoft updates
   their sites regularly with the latest virus alerts. Visit these sites
   frequently to keep yourself aware of what threats are doing the rounds
   and how to avoid them.
   Using this simple software I have kept my computer virus-free for
   the past 3 years. It's not rocket science. Just stay alert, use some
   common sense and you too can stay bug free while still enjoying your
   Internet experience.

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