Keep your PC secure for ......FREE

Because of the worldwide acceptance of Windows operating systems, thousands-actually the number is far bigger than that- of viruses ,spywares and many other malicious programs have been released on the internet targeting windows user. These viruses and spywares pose a serious threat to user's data security as well as computer's functionality. As Windows is not that secure when left on its own- but don't blame poor Microsoft programmers coz even if the Redmond based company had thousands of programmers only for making Windows secure there are millions of kids out there trying to break it down- you must take a certain precautions so as to make at least an illusion of being safe and secure.

To achieve this goal you either have to invest in some commercial security solution or read on.

So now if you are still reading then I'd give a few tips so that you can secure your PC against most of the threats.

Step #1: Keep the operating system updated.

There is absolutely nothing that is more important than keeping your Windows updated as frequently as possible. My advise to you is keep "Automatic updates" on. With this your Windows installation will be updated automatically whenever you are online.

If for whatever reasons you have turned automatic updates off then follow these steps:

• Open Microsoft Windows Update page at http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/

• Scan the PC using "Scan for updates" link to find out what critical updates and security fixes are missing.
  

• Select, download, and install a selection of updates, especially any Critical Updates.
  

• Restart the PC after finished(If asked).
  

It takes time so wait.

Step #2: Download, install, and run some good anti spyware tool to get rid of all spyware.

Spyware is any software that is installed on your PC and tracks your online behavior without your knowledge or consent. Spyware generally can

• what web pages you are visiting and send these information to advertising companies. This kind of spyware is commonly called adware.
  

• It can also record all your keystroke and send them to some remote computer without your knowledge. So obviously your passwords and bank account numbers are not safe with these beauties around.

Note: Even though WGA satisfies most of above definitions it is not a spyware.

Following are few good and free antispywares available for download use any one of these to keep your PC spyware free.

• Windows defender. If you are a vista user you don't need to download this.

• Spybot -search and destroy.

• Ad-Aware

• Hijack this.
  

Step #3: Download and install a good Personal Firewall.

• Zone alarm
  

• comodo

• PC Tools firewall plus

Step #4: Use a good anti-virus software

• Even though Kaspersky is not free i'd like to recommend it here. This is the best antivirus software currently available. Download 30 day trial from here.

• AVG

• Avast!

• PC tools
  

Step #5: Install password management software

We all need passwords for like everything , you should use different passwords for each account. But remembering all these passwords is no less troublesome than forgetting them all at once. So passwords should be stored at some location which is both safe and easy to access. Thats where password managers come in.

• KeePass is a free open source password manager, which helps you to manage your passwords in a secure way. You can put all your passwords in one database, which is locked with one master key or a key file. So you only have to remember one single master password or select the key file to unlock the whole database. The databases are encrypted using the best and most secure encryption algorithms currently known (AES and Twofish).
  

Download keepass here.

• RoboForm is a password management software with Artificial Intelligence built in that can automatically fill online forms for you.
  

• Keywallet

But as the saying goes "the chain is only as strong as its weakest link" all these security measures only work if the weakest link i.e you are careful. Do not click on anything that says you have won a 3 day free membership of some website or a $1000000 prize from some lottery you never bought. Also do not send your confidential personal information to anybody you are not really familiar with.