1. Basic maintenance



 Don't neglect to do the basic maintenance of your computer. The

three best components are anti-virus software, ant-spyware and fire

wall. Not using and keeping your software up to date will end in

a clear path to your personal information.

Hackers are busy at work everyday trying to find the weakness in your

system so that they may be able to steal your personal

information. Some would just simply like to create trouble and

destroy your hard drive.

2. Don't open every attachments you get

Lots 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 some fake name emal and just open what ever file is

attached . If you don't know the sender, don't open it, just delete

it. If the attachment is from someone you know, always scan it first

before downloading it.

3. Stay clear of pornographic and illegal software sites

You can pick up viruses and spyware quickly at these sites.

visit some pornographic web sites. and 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. Things you should do before you start surfing

Check your anti virus for updates. Regularly run your anti virus. If

at any time your anti virus locates a virus, you need to update your

antivirus.

disconnect from the Internet and do a full scan of your computer with

the updated anti virus. Always make sure your anti virus

is actively protecting your computer.

Clean your computer cache and your temporary files.

Clean your history, Update your adware remover, Run your adware

remover. Update your firewall and check the settings. Some hackers

can change the settings of your computer, putting you at risk.

5.  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.

6. Get Professionally written software

Most software is well written by qualified programmers.

Professionally written software will include all the instructions

that you need to obtain the best performance of the tool. If not, 

keep searching. Go to a site that you trust and read the comments

from other users about the tool you are buying.

Remember you are putting all your information at risk when you

connect to the Internet.