This is intended for those that know little about computer protection. This note is basic and simple.

   If you are an individual that does not have time or the means to keep your computers security up to date you should not use Outlook Express, Outlook or any other PC based email handling program. Your best bet is to use an email service like Hotmail, Yahoo, Google, or any that lets you view your email without downloading.  Many of these services are free, they scan emails, both incoming and outgoing, for viruses with first rate up to date software.  Even with your email protected by the provider your computer is not safe unless you install the proper software and KEEP IT UP TO DATE. If you don't keep it up to date it is useless.

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO PROTECT YOUR COMPUTER THEN THIS IF FOR YOU

You need protection against viruses, hackers and spyware. Your PC May Be Less Secure Than You Think, http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118311,00.asp

Viruses: How Do I Know When a Virus Hits My Computer? http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,117011,00.asp

1. It is a must to have an anti-virus program installed on your computer, if not your computer is likely to be short lived. What's more, you will be sending your pest out to all your friends. No good huh?

2. The program you have should be updated at least weekly, if not it is useless.

3. I prefer one of the paid for programs such at Norton or McAfee. There are many out there. I do not like the versions that include all the extras... only the anti-virus is just fine. There are free programs. Betty runs Avast,  http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html on her computer. She is a tight wad. It seems to work well. Another is AVG from Grisoft. It is available here, http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/1/.

Make sure you uninstall any old anti-virus programs you might have on your computer before you install a new one.

Hackers: What you should know about firewalls: http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117557,00.asp

1.Everyone needs a firewall no mater what your internet connecting is...hummm, if you are not connected you don't need one. Firewalls are designed to keep the hackers out.

2. No need to pay for this if you are just a home user.

I like Zone Alarm, http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp. there is a little red and white  "Download Free" tab to click. Another is Kerio which you can find here http://www.kerio.com/us/kpf_home.html

Spyware/Adware/Malware: Three Minutes With Spybot's Patrick Kolla http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,115376,00.asp

Again there are many programs out there but I prefer and run both of these:

1. Adaware at http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
2. Spybot Search & Destroy at  http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10289035.html

They do a great job of complementing one another. Again, make sure you update these each time before you run them. With Spybot use the immunization part of the program. I have currently have 2,338 bad products blocked.
A fine source for this information in laymen's terms is at this location,  http://techtalk.umn.edu/episodes/season3/304.pdf.  The video can be found at http://techtalk.umn.edu/episodes/season3/304.shtml.Thank Barry for showing us this sites location.

Oh there is one more thing. PopUp stoppers. I prefer the google search engine so I use their tool bar and its popup stopper, http://toolbar.google.com/. You can find assistance on it here http://toolbar.google.com/popup_help.html. Any functions you do not wish to use can be disabled.

 

This stuff is much more involved than what I have here and it is easy to research. Just use your search engine.

 

Good surfin' to ya,

Ron