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Home computer security should be treated like an investment portfolio on every PC: regularly updated and well diversified. With the proper use of three programs, free for download, you can safeguard yourself and your family against malicious threats, like spyware or viruses, which enter every system.

This goal is attainable for any user, providing they take the time to do their housekeeping (regular sweeping with an updated broom). Once the programs have been downloaded and installed, the first thing they do is perform a web-update that retrieves new file definitions. Keeping these programs updated is an integral component in maintaining safety.

New viruses and spyware prpograms - the leading causes for identity theft - force programmers to stay on their toes. In an attempt to catch the hackers in the internet security race, programmers are constantly writing new code that works in cooperation with these select programs, so it's advised that the user update the file definitions before each scan to maximize security.

As a first line of defense, every PC requires a firewall. Windows Firewall is effective enough but fails in comparison to other firewalls available. Of the free options, ZoneAlarm is known as the best firewall defense system, coupling its firewall security with logic - genius in simplicity.

When ZoneAlarm is running, it puts up a tollbooth between your PC and the internet. Any time something tries to access your PC from the net (like a worm or virus), ZoneAlarm will freeze it and alert the user with a pop-up, notifying them of the program's attempted access and asking the user to 'allow' or 'deny' access to this program. This same tollbooth blocks previous intrusions from accessing the net (like spyware carrying credit card or identity information), greeting the user with a similar 'allow' or 'deny' pop-up message.

A user would use the allow' option if the source were trusted. A trusted source would be your web-browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or Netscape to name a few) or messaging service (MSN Messenger, Yahoo Messenger). If the name of the program that's trying to pass the tollbooth is foreign at the time, punch it in to your preferred search engine to find a definition. The simple logic behind this program is block everything until the user lets it pass.

Successful security comes by pairing a firewall with an extinguishing system that eliminates threats smart enough to bypass the firewall security. Every tech-guy's PC tune-up' first step is running anti-spyware software. The two most effective programs are Ad-Aware Se Personal Edition and Spy-Bot Search & Destroy. In addition to sweeping for threats, these programs also cover your tracks, erasing documentation of your movement - on the net and within your own PC eliminating the fright of identity theft. If kept updated, this trinity of security software is the easiest way to secure a PC.

While other software suites can be purchased in bundles that accomplish the same thing (like Norton), they tend to take up excessive hard-drive space and gorge on RAM. These programs are a fraction of the size and use up no RAM unless they're scanning.

An added note Browser choice also plays a part in internet security. When hackers are designing spyware and viruses, they have to design them for a specific browser. By choosing a browser that is less popular, you decrease your chances of infections. Internet Explorer is the most popular browser, therefore the least secure. Many people will keep Explorer for compatibility with certain programs, but having multiple browsers would be beneficial. Running a safer browser like Firefox will help maintain containment.

Learn more about this author, Neil B. Sparkes.
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