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Protect Your Personal PC: Three Basic Protection Steps

There are three basic steps that you can take to help protect your personal computer from viruses, spyware, and other Internet security threats.

1. Use up-to-date virus/spyware protection.
2. Keep your Windows operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches.
3. Use a firewall.

Step 1: Use up-to-date virus/spyware protection.

Anti-virus/anti-spyware programs detect, prevent, and take action to disarm or remove malicious software programs from your computer.

In order to be effective, anti-virus/anti-spyware software must be updated regularly so that it's using the latest definition files. (A definition file is a database of known viruses and spyware programs that the anti-virus/anti-spyware program uses when it examines your computer. As new viruses and spyware programs are discovered, the definition files are updated by the anti-virus/anti-spyware software provider. If your definition files are not up-to-date, then your computer may be vunerable to infections from new viruses and spyware programs.)

Most anti-virus/anti-spyware programs update their definition files automatically. If not, then there will usually be an "update" button your can click to download the latest definition files.

You should scan your computer for viruses and spyware at least once a week. Most anti-virus/anti-spyware programs can be set up to perform automatic weekly scans on the day and time that you choose.

If you do not have an anti-virus/anti-spyware program on your computer, then the Information Systems Center recommends that you download and install Microsoft Security Essentials, which is free and available at http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials.

IMPORTANT! Never have more than one anti-virus/anti-spyware program installed on your computer. If you have old or expired anti-virus/anti-spyware software, then uninstall it before installing a new anti-virus/anti-spyware program.

Step 2: Keep your Windows operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches.

Keeping your Windows operating system up-to-date with the latest security patches is one of the most important things that you can do to help keep your computer secure.

Whenever a new vulnerability is discovered in the Windows operating system, Microsoft will issue a security patch (i.e., fix) for it. These security patches prevent worms and hackers from accessing your system, and they also prevent some spyware from installing on your computer.

The best way to keep your Windows operating system up-to-date is to turn on Automatic updates. (For more information, see Turn On Automatic Updates.)

Step 3: Use a firewall.

Whenever you're connected to the Internet, your personal computer is at risk for being infected or hacked via unprotected ports. (A port is connection point through which data travels back and forth between your computer and the Internet. For example, HTTP traffic uses port 80, FTP traffic uses port 21, and e-mail uses port 25.)

A firewall is software or hardware (or a combination of both) that protects or shields ports on your computer. It also hides your computer's IP address, so that hackers don't even know that you're connected to the Internet. (An IP address is a unique number that identifies your computer on a network or on the Internet.)

Firewalls work by filtering incoming and outgoing traffic to and from your computer based on rules, which you can configure to suit your personal needs. If the firewall determines that the traffic is acceptable, then it lets the traffic pass through. Otherwise, the firewall blocks it.

Note: Firewalls usually prompt you to accept or deny incoming traffic. If you always accept requests without knowing what they are, then you render your firewall useless. If you are unsure of what something is, then you should research it before accepting it. (For example, conduct a Google search on the program to find out what it is.)

If you have Windows 7, Vista, or XP, then you can use the built-in firewall, which is turned on by default.

If you do not have Windows 7, Vista, or XP and do not have firewall protection, then the Information Systems Center recommends that you download and install ZoneAlarm, which is free and available at http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm

IMPORTANT! Unless you are familiar with how to configure multiple firewalls, do not install or use more than one firewall program on your computer. If you have Windows 7, Vista, or XP and want to use a third-party firewall program, then be sure to turn the built-in Windows firewall off. (For more information see Turn the Windows Firewall On or Off.)