Index
Introduction
Windows Update
Anti-Virus Software
Anti-Spyware Software

INTRODUCTION
Here is some basic information about how you can plan to protect your computer given different uses and risks categories.

HIGH RISK: user downloads lots of music, videos and programs: has file sharing software, actively chats with others online, belongs to AOL, receives lots of e-mail with file attachments, leaves computer connected to internet at all times (even when not in use), plays games online, visits categorically "dangerous" sites such as online gambling, pornography, etc.

MEDIUM RISK: user downloads e-mail, music and some programs: has file sharing software that is not "spyware", does not download potentially dangerous files from unknown sources (such as .exe .zip .rar .scr .bat and others), sends and receives a lot of e-mail but is cautious when opening mail of unknown type or source, belongs to AOL, etc.

LOW RISK: user downloads e-mail, PDFs and opens email attachments with safe file types:
uses computer on Internet to visit "mainstream/safe" sites such as news, sports, weather, etc.; plays games that were installed by the mfg, etc.

(The above risks do not consider activities like voluntarily sharing information online or making purchases online, which have another dimension of risk.)

Try to roughly determine which category best describes your use, and then decide how vigilant you might need to be in defending against threats targeted at your computer.

To keep your computer safe, you will need to do a few things on a regular basis.

WINDOWS UPDATE
If you own a PC, Windows 98/ME/2000/XP is your operating system. The operating system is software that lets other programs (such as MS Word, Excel, Quicken, etc.) run on your computer. It also includes software for browsing the Internet: MS Explorer. Even when you buy your computer new, your operating system has security flaws, bugs, and other issues that can cause the system to operate incorrectly, or not at all. So, Microsoft offers updates that fix and update this operating system software as well as other integral MS software (e.g. MS Media Player). The updates that are critical to the security of your computer are called critical updates. The others are completely optional.

So, to keep your computer up-to-date with these fixes you have two options:

1. Automatic Updates: when you are connected to the web, your computer will automatically connect to the Windows server and download the needed software onto your computer. You will need to then click on the Windows logo (located at the bottom right of your screen where you will find the date and time too, also called the System Tray), and start the installation process indicated in the on-screen instructions. (Go to: Start menu -> all programs/programs -> accessories -> system tools -> task scheduler -> (select) windows update)

2. Manual Update: go to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com (also found in Explorer, Tools, Windows update), download the software you want from the list provided, and install onto your computer by following the on-screen instructions.

The newest big upgrade from Microsoft is Service Pack 2 (SP2). It includes a new firewall, virus protection and software fixes for known vulnerabilities in the SP1 operating system. Go to Windows web site for information about getting Windows SP2.

ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
Computer viruses have been around just as long as computers have. Simply, viruses are software designed to maliciously change the way a program works. In some cases viruses cause the computer to stop functioning completely, in other cases a virus may cause certain programs to stop functioning, or to function improperly. Software companies such as Norton and McAfee emerged to protect computers against viruses. These companies sell software to protect your computer. The software contains basic programs that scan for viruses, and, most importantly, virus definitions. Lots of new viruses emerge every day, and the anti-virus software vendors have to make sure that your computer is up-to-date with the most recent definitions so that if a malicious file comes to you it will be recognized and either deleted or quarantined.

Viruses can come into your computer without you knowing, but most commonly come from another person's floppy disk, e-mail, streaming video or music and files like .exe, .zip .scr that you might download from the Web.

One free anti-virus solution is AVG, made by Grisoft (www.grisoft.com). Once installed, you will see the program icon located in the system tray, which looks like a multi-colored flag: green, yellow, black and red. Right-click to open the AVG control center for administrative control (such as to select what is scanned in the computer and when, and to set up automatic scheduling for getting the most update virus definition file).

ANTI SPYWARE
If viruses weren't bad enough, a new breed of dangerous threats has recently emerged. The definition of spyware is a bit muddled. In some ways, spyware works like viruses. In other ways, spyware is "benign." (It all depends on your definition of benign.) Spyware that I have encountered: can track every key stroke you make, watches which web sites you go to and reports the info to it's creator, causes pop-ups to come onscreen without your consent or control, causes you not to be able to use Windows Explorer, prevents you from getting Windows updates, and much more. The most dangerous thing right now about spyware protection is that the same companies who say that their software keeps spyware off your computer are actually the ones putting spyware on your computer! The best spyware protection software packages I have found (free) are: Spybot (www.safer-networking.org) and Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com). As always, if you like the program, donate a few bucks to the creators (Spybot: Patrick M. Kolla, Lavasoft)

To keep your anti-spyware software up-to-date:

Spybot
1. open Spybot and click "search for updates"
2. select the updates you want to download and install, and click "download updates"

Ad-Aware
1. open Ad-Aware, and click on the gear icon, "configure"
2. select "check for updates"

There are other ways to make your computer safe (such as by using a firewall), but the suggestions above are sufficient in a lot of cases. Again, your level of protection depends on your risk category.

Be sure to run these programs as often as necessary according to the your perceived risk group:

HIGH:
Windows update: once a week
Anti-virus: daily
Anti-spyware: daily

MEDIUM:
Windows update: once a week
Anti-virus: twice a week
Anti-spyware: twice a week

LOW:
Windows update: once a week
Anti-virus: weekly
Anti-spyware: twice a month