Viruses, Worms and Trojans are malicious programs that make their way into vulnerable computers, and wait to perform any number of tasks hidden from view. They are also notorious for opening back doors to your PC that anyone with the know how and inclination can use to gain total remote access to your computer. If you use your computer for online banking or other such private matters, you really need to ensure that nobody else is tracking your every move. Following is a brief checklist of things you can do to ensure that your online experience is a safe one:

1. Update Your Anti-Virus Regularly.

 First and foremost, if you aren't currently running one - GET ONE!  Anti-Virus applications are undoubtedly one of the most important things you can do to protect your computer from online corruption. Remarkably, over a thousand new Viruses come out each and every month each one more sinister than the last. If your Anti-Virus application is not updated regularly, it will not be able to identify the new Viruses, and subsequently will be of no protection at all. So the best bet is to install the application and then either set it up to update automatically, or update it manually a minimum of once or twice a week. One excellent Anti-virus application is AVG. This software is both extremely effective and, more importantly, FREE. You can find it at http://free.grisoft.com .

  On rare occasion, you may encounter a virus that your current Anti-Virus application may be unable to remove. Head on over to the "Symantec Security Response Virus and Hoax database" ( http://securityresponse.symantec.com ) and enter the name of the Virus in the search box. Typically, you will be sent to a page detailing the Virus in question, and offered a downloadable tool with instructions on how to remove the Virus.


2. Install and/or Enable a Software Firewall.

  Whether you connect to the Internet using a dialup modem or a DSL/Cable modem that plugs directly into your computer, installing a software firewall is extremely important. Users of Microsoft's Windows XP already have a firewall installed on your computer, however it may not be enabled unless you have installed the Service Pack 2 update.  To check and see if your computer is currently protected by the Microsoft firewall, go to "Start"->"Control Panel" and select "Network and Internet Connections". Here you will find all of your existing network connections. Choose a connection, right click on it, select "properties," and then "advanced."  This will allow you to access that connection's firewall settings. Users who are currently running operating systems prior to Windows XP may want to check out offerings such as ZoneAlarm (http://www.zonealarm.com ) for firewall protection.


3. Update Windows Regularly.

  Microsoft software contains massive amounts of programming code that was written by large teams of programmers. Consequently, each release of Windows has been accompanied by the discovery of security compromising glitches. These glitches can cause system instability and ultimately allow hackers access to your computer and all of its files.

  Hackers seek access to your computer for a number of reasons, but the most damaging involve the harvesting of your personal data. They collect your usernames and passwords for access to your online banking accounts,  credit card accounts, and all of your other online financial pipelines. Another popular practice is to hijack your computer to conduct massive Spamming campaigns,  or to use your computer in conjunction with thousands of other compromised units to attack business or government web sites (An example is the recent attacks on Authorize.Net.).

  To combat this, Microsoft regularly provides new updates for Windows that include security patches to combat these exploits.To confirm that your computer has received the most current Windows updates, simply start Internet Explorer and go to the "Tools" menu, then select "Windows Update" from the menu. Simply follow the prompts and it will take yout hrough the updateing process. (You must be connected to the Internet before running Windows Update.)


4. Detect and Eliminate SpyWare.

  Spyware is a serious and growing problem for Internet users. Though most Spyware operates stealthly behind the scenes, more serious contaminations might cause your computer to run very slowly, or possibly not at all. Spyware is also used to track your activities online, with the information collected usually being sold to advertisers.

  To avoid installing Spyware, be careful about what you choose to download from the Internet. Avoid opening any attachments that you do not recognize, and avoid downloading programs from non-secure sources. Protecting yourself from Spyware is much like protecting yourself from Viruses and Trojan Horse programs. You need to run an application specifically designed to find and remove it, such as "Adaware Personal" ( http://www.lavasoftusa.com ). This extremely effective program is free, however it will need to be regularly updated just like an Anti-Virus application.


5. Employ Safer Password Habits.

  All the protection in the world for your PC is of no use at all if you leave the front door unlocked. Poorly chosen  passwords are one of the most common causes for security compromises. First, a password should NEVER be a common term that can be found in a dictionary, as there are many free password cracking programs that begin by running a dictionary attack against the target. Second, a good password is at least 8 characters long and contains a mixture of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and possibly symbols as well. Finally, a password has less chance of being cracked if the user changes it regularly. You should make it a habit to change your passwords at least once every three months, and possibly changing those of higher importance even more frequency.


  Ultimately, there is no way that you can connect to the Internet and be 100% safe. However, if you are vigilant about keeping your Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Windows itself up to date, you will significantly reduce your chances of becoming a victim of Internet crime. Thanks for checking in, now go and be safe!