| Most homes nowadays have cable or DSL | | | | applications are out of date. Malware comes and goes |
| connections which provide fast, 'always-on' internet | | | | and the threats of today are nothing like the threats |
| access. While this has been a great benefit to | | | | computers faced a few months or even a few |
| computer users, it also increases the chance your | | | | weeks ago. Many malware applications include an |
| computer will be attacked. Don't panic. It's easy to | | | | automatic update feature which ensures you always |
| secure your computer and protect your family from | | | | have the latest tools against malicious programs. If you |
| the threats that exist. | | | | prefer to update manually, you often have that option |
| Start With Malware Defense | | | | as well. |
| The biggest threats to your home computer don't | | | | Your malware defense isn't the only software you |
| come from people, at least not directly. It is rare you | | | | should keep updated. Keep your Windows operating |
| will have an actual hacker trying to break into your | | | | system current with the latest security patches as |
| system to steal your files. Instead, hackers write | | | | Microsoft discovers new security threats. Other |
| programs that travel the internet automatically looking | | | | applications including productivity suites, web browsers |
| for security vulnerabilities. These could be viruses | | | | and even online games should be patched as needed |
| intended to damage your computer, spyware which | | | | so you know you are fully protected. |
| secretly installs itself on your system and looks for | | | | Keep Threats Out With A Firewall |
| sensitive data such as credit card numbers or | | | | The best way to fight malware is to keep it out of |
| passwords, or simply annoying adware which hijacks | | | | your system in the first place. A firewall is a security |
| your browser with ads for cheap pharmaceuticals. | | | | application that prevents unauthorized activity across |
| Collectively these kinds of programs are called | | | | your internet connection. Windows includes a built-in |
| malware. | | | | firewall, but there are a number of free and |
| The best way to fight software is with software. It | | | | inexpensive firewall programs which are more |
| has become impossible to manually find and remove | | | | beneficial. |
| the malicious software that threatens your computer, | | | | There are also hardware firewalls called routers. |
| but an anti-malware application can help. Anti-malware | | | | These devices, which look similar to your DSL or cable |
| programs protect your system 24/7, doing nothing but | | | | modem, are designed to allow multiple computers to |
| watching activity on your computer and reacting | | | | use a single internet connection. By controlling network |
| immediately to perceived threats. They keep your | | | | traffic they also prevent unauthorized access to your |
| system safe so you don't have to worry. | | | | home computer from the outside. Even if you connect |
| Keep Your Protection Current | | | | just one computer to the internet, a router is a good |
| Although nearly every home computer has some kind | | | | security investment. |
| of software security, a frightening percentage of these | | | | |