With simply a computer and an Internet connection you can access an infinite number of Web servers, Web pages, individuals from across the globe and other digital entities from around the world but it also endangers your PC and the confidential data it contains about you.

Every day of the week virus, spyware, and adware creators come up with new, ingenious ways to gain access to your PC. These simple pointers will help keep the hackers at bay:

Stop and think before you click: Downloaded files that end with .exe, .com, .bat, and .scr, (also files with .doc and .xls extensions), can render your computer completely useless with a single click. Many e-mail programs block access to any attachments so take the extra time and think for a few seconds before you decide to open it or not.

Use an anti-spam filter: Most viruses and spyware are installed by various methods of Internet browser hijacking however, e-mail is still a very common source. Use of a junk-mail filter will significantly reduce the likelihood of running harmful scripts contained within messages.

Keep your antivirus software up to date: Using antivirus software that has expired past it’s subscription period is definitely not an option: Not only do you lack the crucial virus database updates, but you expose your system to malware that targets known flaws in antivirus software.

Prevention against WORMS and Viruses: Install antivirus software, update regularly, and use it regularly. Never open unsolicited e-mail attachments with the file extensions VBS, SHS, or PIF.Disconnect your network or modem cable when you are not using your computer.

Antivirus software is software that is installed on your computer that protects you from viruses. Antivirus software programs contain in the region of 40,000 – 100,000 “malicious software definitions” that are updated on a daily or as needed basis.

I highly recommend Grisoft AVG Anti-Virus (Free) for antivirus protection.

If in doubt try online: You should only install and use one single antivirus program at a time on your computer because multiple antivirus programs will conflict with one another and cause your computer to completely grind to a halt. If you have any doubt about your antivirus program’s effectiveness, you can use a free online virus scanner, such as Panda Software’s ActiveScan) or Trend Micros HouseCall.

Download with care: Any program you download and run on your computer system could potentially result in spyware or virus infection. Download software only from reputable online sources that guarantee that all software is free from malicious software.

Use a two-way firewall: Windows XP and Vista each come with a firewall that blocks unwanted or unexpected incoming traffic; it is enabled by default in Windows XP Service Pack 2 and later. However for the best protection possible, you will also want to block unwanted outgoing connections made by spyware, viruses and scripts on your PC that attempts to either connect to a remote server or send out spam.

Windows Vista’s firewall does have that fucntionality, but configuring it is not entirely simple enough for the average Windows user. Instead, you can get one of several free bidirectional firewall programs, such as Zone Labs ZoneAlarm Free, or Agnitums Outpost Firewall Free.

Make use of antispyware program: Anyone who uses a computer can succumb to spyware infection. In fact, 9 out of 10 Internet-connected PCs are infected with some kind of virus. Spyware can be any application that tracks your online or offline PC activity, serves you adverts, redirects your pages and bombards you with pop-ups. If you use the Internet, its possible that some form of virus threats are already active at work on your PC system.

Spyware can ocassionally go unnoticed however, it is more likely that you will notice that it is present on your computer system due to the obvious symptoms that your computer may experience. It is EXTREMELY difficult to get rid of but not entirely impossible.

Even if you suspect you have successfully removed an unwanted program manually, a remaining dormant file can trigger a complete reinstallation the next time you restart your computer. And as a survival tactic, spyware programs often leave similar traces elsewhere on your system so you can often never eliminate it completely after only one attempt.

Spyware, adware, and some scripts / trojans slow down your system, cause crashes, and track your online activity. Antispyware utilities work much like antivirus software, detecting and removing the unwanted software from your PC.

One free tactic you can employ is to upgrade from Windows XP: As Microsoft service Pack 2 makes Windows XP much safer, although the operating system still has many security flaws which can be exploited, and it remains prime target for spyware creators.

If you still have a slow PC after trying the software above and you think it may be due to spyware, you can find more help and information on fixing your slow computer at Slow Computer Help.

There is a constant combat between viruses and anti-virus softwares. Malicious users are creating more powerful and compact code, making it even more difficult for Anti-virus softwares to detect viruses. A virus can spread on your network at a very fast rate and infect all your important data. Even I was worried about my computers security. I was looking for a solution that is different and provides me with the latest and the most up-to-date protection.

It was then when I heard about Douglas Cottle CEO of anti-cyber crime. Douglas Cottle has really worked hard to provide us with the latest and the best tool for desktop virus protection. His team of dedicated engineers have used the best of the breed technologies and methodologies and prepared a revolutionary product. I am using Anti-Cyber Crime Professional and I feel that it is one of the best and the most superior solution providing world class protection against Viruses and spywares. My vote for the best anti-virus software goes to Anti-Cyber Crime Professional.

This product is a combination of world’s best anti-virus software engine and anti spyware engine. The product has set high benchmarks for all other anti-virus softwares in market. It offers me complete protection against viruses, worms, Trojans, spyware, adware, malware, hoaxes, dialers, jokes, hacking tools, and many other things. No doubt it is regarded as the best desktop security software and network security software in market.

What impressed me most, was the ease of use of this software. Once you install this software, you need not do any kind of supervision and tweaking. Their innovative “hands OFF technology” is simply the best. The product combines ease of use and latest desktop virus protection. The price at which this product is offered is unbelievable. At just 49.95$ you can buy the world’s best antivirus software.

I hope you still not confused on which tool to buy. Download and install Resolution Anti Cyber Crime 5.0 anti-virus tool now and keep your PC secure from all kinds of malware and adware.

For this article, I decided to create a list of 10 free programs you can download to keep your computer secure. This list of programs will help you protect your computer from Viruses, Spyware, and hackers. All of the programs listed here are highly recommended, and like I said, all have a free version available.
I should note though that many websites that carry articles do not allow more then a couple links in the main body of the article. Because of this, I am unable to include download links for each program. However, if you do a search for them on Google, you can find where to download them. Alternatively, you can visit my website where I have uploaded this article and included links inside the article to download each program. The web address is listed in my author info.
Anyway, let’s get to the list of 10 programs you should download to protect yourself from Spyware and Computer Viruses and keep your computer safe.
Ad-Aware
Ad-Aware is one of the oldest Anti-Spyware programs available and also one of the best. Ad-Aware has been around for over ten years now. Over the ten years, Ad-Aware has been a top notch program and it doesn’t look to be changing anytime soon. If you do not have Ad-Aware protecting your system, then I highly recommend you download it right now.
AVG Anti-virus
With McAfee and Norton on the market, many people are under the impression that you will have to pay money for virus protection. This is wrong! There are free anti-virus solutions available and AVG is one of the best. AVG has all of the usual features and it’s highly recommended that you download AVG Anti-Virus if you don’t already have a virus scanner.
Hijack This!
Hijack This! can be a great program for helping you get rid of some tricky Spyware. Beware though, you really need to know what you are doing when you are using Hijack This!. Hijack This! isn’t for beginners. However, it’s worth downloading and keeping around so if you ever do have a tricky spyware problem, an expert online can help you use Hijack This! to get rid of it. Because honestly, most experts online are going to ask you to download Hijack This!.
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is newer then some of the other anti-Spyware products, but don’t let that discourage you. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a great tool for protecting yourself against spyware. Like Ad-Aware, it can do a complete scan of your computer and most spyware problems you are having you can say goodbye to thanks to this program.
Spybot Search & Destroy
Spybot Search & Destroy reminds me of Ad-Aware, it has been around a long time and has stood the test of time. Spybot Search & Destroy may not be as pretty as some of the other anti-spyware programs, but that’s okay because Spybot Search & Destroy means business. Spybot Search & Destroy should have all of the tools you need to protect you from Spyware even if you don’t download any other program listed here.
SpywareBlaster
What can I say about SpywareBlaster? SpywareBlaster is a really cool program. SpywareBlaster isn’t a scanner, instead, it’s purpose is to prevent Spyware from getting onto your system in the first place. SpywareBlaster has a database of thousands of harmful Active X Plug-ins that it blocks. Just download SpywareBlaster, install it, click to enable the protection, and that’s it. SpywareBlaster doesn’t even need to be running all the time. A very useful program that should be included in your list of programs you use to protect your computer.
SpywareGuard
SpywareGuard is simlar to SpywareBlaster, it tries to prevent Spyware from getting onto your system. However, SpywareGuard works in a different way. SpywareGuard works by monitoring your computer for typical Spyware-like behavior. If SpywareGuard spots anything, it will alert you. The downside to this is that you need to keep SpywareGuard open for it to work. On the plus side though, it means SpywareGuard doesn’t need to be constantly updated, since it doesn’t rely on definition files.
Startup Inspector
Startup Inspector is a program used for monitoring and disabling items that run when you turn on the computer. So how does that relate to this list? Well Startup Inspector can really be handy in fighting Spyware because a lot of Spyware programs will be set to run when you turn on the computer. Before you turn off the computer each night, take a quick look at Startup Inspector and see what is set to run when you turn on the computer next time. See anything suspicious? If so, go ahead and run a scan with another program listed here. But remember, you first noticed something suspicious thanks to Startup Inspector. This is why I included it in this list.
Update Windows
Okay, guess what? I lied. This isn’t even a software program. Regardless though, this has to be included in this list. One of the biggest ways your computer can be attacked is through security holes that were left open from not updating your operating system. Do your computer a favor and go online to WindowsUpdate and update your computer right away.
ZoneAlarm
Finally, we come to ZoneAlarm. ZoneAlarm is a firewall and will monitor all ingoing and outgoing connections on your computer. This is very useful for keeping your computer safe, because Zonealarm will block unauthorized connections to your computer. Basically, ZoneAlarm stops hackers. Great software!
In all honesty, if you don’t want to try all of these programs, even just download one or two. Having one or two of these can still make a big difference with your computer. It can be scary with so much Spyware and Viruses on the internet. But now, you have the information you need to stay protected. Good luck

This article is based on my own user experience of free and paid Internet security software. The free software I used consists of Sygate firewall, AVG antivirus, Ad-Aware Free Edition, Spyware Doctor and SpyBot Search & Destroy in Windows XP operating system. The paid sofware in this case is Norton Internet Security 2009 in Windows Vista operating system.

You can protect your pc against different security threats prowling on the cyberspace by using free tools. The protection these programs offer is quite good. You may wonder why an earth to use so many spyware scanners? The answer to this question is simple. One scanner was not able to detect all threats, so it was appropriate to use several. All these spyware and virus detection and removal tools worked well and did their mission. Spyware Doctor is worth to mention, because it was the only program to detect register files infection. This phenomena reduced the performance of my computer remarkably, if it appeared.

When I bought a new computer, I decided to purchase Norton Internet Security 2009. The brand name was familiar to me previously, because as a Yahoo mail user I happened to know that Yahoo scans all attachments by using Norton Antivirus. So I thought it was a good choice. I have now used  Norton Internet Security 2008 and 2009 over one year. I was able to upgrade to the new version for free. After I started to use the 2009 version, I noticed that it was more user friendly and faster than the 2008 version. Many times when I used the older version I wondered, why I have to do so many clicks in order to get my database updated. Now in this version of 2009 updating is easy and automatic as well as scanning.

The free tools I used before detected several times all kinds of spyware, adware and viruses on my computer. It seemed that there were certain “security holes” in this system through which malware was able to access into the computer. In addition, it took time to scan the computer by using several different scanners. Norton Internet Security 2009 provides more comprehensive protection against all kinds of security threats. It has antivirus, spyware protection, two-way firewall, intrusion prevention, operating system and application protection as well as web site authentication. Based on my experience, I can say that Norton Internet Security 2009 has provided a very good protection and it has kept my computer clean. It has not even detected any serious infections.