Protecting your computer from any virus is very important part of using a computer. The first thing to do is purchase a reliable program to do this. Two of these are Norton's and McAfee. To purchase these every year can become expensive.

An alternative, AVG will not cost you a cent. This is available to download FREE at

Click here to Download AVG free

Go to this site and click on the download now for windows button. Choose the one for the 98, xp or whichever windows you are using.  It will come up with a small window asking you to run, save, or cancel. Select save and tell it where to save this file. That is; in my documents, or place of your choice. Click ok. Once it is downloaded, go to where you saved it, and following the directions to install it.

Be careful to read the directions and follow them, going through the setup so it will automatically check all email coming in and out. Also, set it to check for updates automatically. This part is very important as people are creating new viruses all the time. Once this is installed always restart your computer to finalize the setup, this should be done when every time when loading any new programs.

Another thing you can do to protect your computer is: to go to Tools, Internet options, when this window opens click on Delete Cookies, another window will pop up, click ok. Next, under history you will see another button, clear history. Click on that and say yes. In that same area, you will see two small arrows. Click on, the downward one, until the number in the box returns to Zero. This will prevent any traces of any records of sites that you have visited that day. This is very important if you use Internet banking, as it will stop anyone from following your tracks.

Never, ever let the computer remember your passwords. Never open any emails from people that you do not know. Beware, never open any links sent to you other than by friends. This is how they can leave little cookies etc in your computer.  This is oneway how they let virus's into your computer.

There is another good free program. Spy-bot, this program will search and remove ad-ware and spy-ware permanently. It will Kill annoying pop up ads and block future infections.

Click here to download the program http://www-spybot.net/

Follow the instructions for installing. Once done it is still very important to run this program weekly, to keep your computer clean.

Another important Free program is Spamfighter this is a program that will help prevent spam coming into your inbox. You will need to select which ones you want blocked. Although it will automatically send spam to the spam fighter box.

Click here to download

Once downloaded follow the directions to install. Once set up you can block all the emails, you do not want to receive. They will all go straight into your spam fighter folder. You will still need to delete them.

I have used this for two years, just upgrade when it expires. We are completely satisfied with the way this works. There is one that you can buy but why waste money when this works fine.

To me Free is always best.

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The Importance of keeping, software and saving passwords uptodate on internet safe

Checkout Hassams online security page.