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Some common sense rules can be used to keep your computer safe.

1. Put your computer behind a router with a firewall even if you only have one computer this will help prevent several kinds of attacks against your computer.

2. If you must use windows make sure to keep a current virus scanner and software firewall. The software firewall is a good idea even if you use a router as it provides a good second line of defence.

3. Consider using another operating system. Apple's Macintosh operating system is based on BSD arguably one of the most mature and secure operating systems on the planet. If you have a PC and don't need windows specific software consider one of the new installations of Linux. Kunbuntu is arguably easier to install and manage then Microsoft windows.

4. Be careful of what you download and the sites you visit.

5. Use Firefox or one of the other alternatives to Internet Explorer. Hackers and other malicious individuals target Explorer since it is the most common browser on the most insecure platform and security issues are slow to be patched.

6. Be careful of your email. If you're email provider does not have good spam filters try using the web client for email access.

7. Don't install software you don't need. This is especially important on windows but can be just as important on other operating systems. Each piece of software you install has the chance of introducing new bugs to your system.

8. Only download software from trusted sources. If you wouldn't trust the site with your credit card data don't trust it to give you virus/trojan free software.

Learn more about this author, Odin Kyle.
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