General Security For PC'S
(Reprinted with permission from learningpc4beginners.com)

Security
Security for PC's is a must! Not only are you responsible for what you have on your computer. You are responsible for what leaves it, and who uses it. You have to show how much you care for your own computer as well as show common sense for everyone else's computer. Face it, computers are a big investment for any family. You wont make friends, have or keep a job online if you are careless.
You need several things installed on your computer to help with security measures. But, the first thing you should do is learn the different programs on your computer by spending at least ten minutes a day exploring your computer. (including history,temp internet files and cookies) and netstat. Don't be afraid to explore your computer. Your computer comes with a "explore option" installed, (Windows ME only) this allows you to look around without fear of messing up any settings. If you don't have this option, Windows will alert you that you either cannot open this program because it is in use, or... it will say not to mess with the settings, because doing so will cause Windows, or the program not to run.

Anti-virus program
To protect you from viruses entering your computer, and to keep you from infecting other computers. No Anti Virus program is 100% effective. Be careful with emails (do plain text emails only: NO scripting NO html automatically delete unsolicited emails with attachments, Be wary of blank headers & downloads,and ones with the .exe extension on them. 'cause that's how the bad stuff usually gets in. This list could go on and on with don'ts. Make it a point not to open forwards. 90% of your viruses are in forwards. As nice of a friend you have to send you a so sweet of a e-mail. Don't open the attachment! This is especially true with webtv forwards. Webtv is not affected! But your PC is! SCAN! SCAN! SCAN! There are many different types of viruses. Some are popular at certain times of the year. Others pop up after being dormant for a spell. Then there are the new viruses that come along. Some viruses are around all the time. The number of viruses is in the thousands. Chances are you will get one. Make sure your A.V. has a website of instructions on how to get rid of them. Keep it in your favorites just incase. Because some viruses/Trojans make your virus program inoperable.

Firewall
Firewall (definition)
A firewall is a software application (or hardware) used to protect a Internet-connected or Network-connected computer from intruders. in filtering in and out bound traffic on your pc.. (what enters and leaves your pc) and alerting the user to attempted intrusions.

To protect you from people trying to break into your computer where they can gain info like your isp user name and password so they can log onto your isp as you, and commit crimes where you will get blamed. Or to take over your pc via internet and use it to do illegal activities. ( like nukes, floods, breaking in to other peoples computers, downloading or up load illegal files, send email spam etc.) it also helps stop them from doing attacks on you...or access your files or deleting or putting unwanted files (like viruses ket stroke recorders Trojans etc) on your pc. Now you may say that's nuts, but most Trojans are planted in this manner as well. Like I said you are responsible for your PC, so if someone enters your pc while you are online and sets your pc up for illegal activity. It's your pc, you are responsible for it. Once someone enters your computer, there is no limit to the damage they can do.

MS-DOS PROMPT
This is a nifty little item that should already be on your computer. it shows who's currently connected to your pc to do netstat click on "start" button then go to "programs" then "accessories" and then click "MS-Dos" prompt...or click on "start" then go to "run" and type the word "command" in the run box and click ok then type one of the following commands "netstat -a" or "Netstat -an" It shows who's currently connected to your pc. Now I'm not saying you will learn this over night, but this screen lets you know at all times what is coming, and going from your computer. If there is something there and your not sure what it is, write it down and explore your computer to find out what it is. You can find most Trojans on this screen. There are codes you put on that screen to bring up the different stats, they are as follows:

(netstat instructions is for "window" users)

[netstat -a" or "Netstat -an]
Netstat -a
will list the hostmask of the people connected to your pc and what port their on.
Netstat -an
lists the ip address (numeric form) instead of hostmask form of everyone connected and what port their on.

Personal Info
Next you should learn your passwords, never store them on your computer. Make your passwords hard to solve. Use letters and numbers, and no less than 6 characters long
Make sure websites are secure before giving personal information on yourself. [You should see a popup telling you that this site is secure, or check your browsers status bar you should see a lock displayed there] And never give them your social security number online. Never post on Instant Messengers or ICQ your personal info. The same goes for web based mail. Read fine print on all websites regarding downloads, ordering, joining, and viewing. Some have info on who will see your personal info, and if there is a third party involved. (third party can, and most of the time means Spam!) Never use your real name on e-mail, or IRC. This opens the door for all types of abuse online. Another note about e-mail, save your ISP email addy for business only. Get you a web based e-mail for everything else.

CHILDREN AND THE INTERNET
Never let a child or teen 17 and younger be alone at the computer! NEVER! You are proberly saying well that's about borderline paranoid? Nope it is not. When you are online regardless if they are in chat, or in e-mail. Unless they know that person on a personal level. (family, and or close friends that you associate with on and offline) I wouldn't leave their site for five minutes! because a person says they are so and so. Does not make it true. Most children or even teens for that matter have this misconception that having a conversation with someone online for any given time is just like having a conversation with someone they have known their whole lifetime in person. They can't because of their intellect distinguish a "real" friend offline from a person they meet on the internet. They don't have the means to distinguish that a person online they are chatting with could be someone entirely different than what they were told. Children and teens have been lured away or abducted by professional stalkers and such, by just telling them what they want to hear in as less than the time it takes you to grab a cup of coffee. They have gotten enough info from children and teens to know when to expect them home, and where home is! Remember these preditors are Pros, and they know just what buttons to push to get any child they want. They have exposed children and teens to porn online, faster than you could blink. Remember... This type of person is a professional at what they do, and they know what works, and what doesn't. No matter how many times you tell a teen or a child never to give info online, these people looking for victims have more tricks than you could count. All your child needs to say is, I live in the North East, and the name of the school, what team name and sports your child or teen plays. They then have enough info to know where your child or teen lives. And they get this info within days. A few minutes everyday is info for them. Next thing you know, your child has been abducted from school. Or they follow your child home! Think about this too... A study was done on children online. One out of five are subjected to some type of Sexual content online. If your child visits chat rooms, or uses ICQ or IM, or is online for long periods of time. Then the chances of your child being exposed to this increases.

Downloads
Use caution with downloads, IRC is very nice to have, but learn the scripting so you know how to spot a flooder, war script, and so forth. Some come with Trojans viruses, and worms! Scan first before installing these! You can get banded from servers very quickly if you post some of these. They accept no excuses also. Learn how to script yourself. Then you wont have to worry about flooders, Trojans, war scripts, and so forth. Go with reputable download sites. This doesn't mean accidents wont happen, but the good sites scan, (some do) and check reputations of their downloads. Most are listed in order of the most downloads, with reviews that you can read to find out known problems, or issues with the item you are considering. [make sure to read the reviews]

Spyware
This day and age there have been many raves about spyware online. Now if you know something about it, then good. But if not. It's time to wake up. Spyware can do many things. From putting cookies on your pc, or code on your pc to watch your activities, to counting how many times in one month you visit certain websites. Some claim this is harmless. To some it's a nightmare. For one thing, They can collect all info on you, and you not even know it. User names, phone numbers, and email addresses are collected at most of these sites. One famous is the comet curser. There are many more of them, and software to stop them also. Some say that these spyware programs watch your every move on line, collect it, and send it on to there prospective online buddies who then slap it in their data base, who then can do what ever with it. All they have to do is plant their little bug on your pc to watch you! They can even send that info on to third party's who in turn can Spam you. So say you go to a book store on line, the spyware picks up on this the info then goes to "buddies", then they inform that Jane or John Doe, who lives in such and such, in the state of where ever, is checking out book sites, They can even go as far as knowing the city you are in. Some have even suggested, that it doesn't end there. Privacy on line? Nope! If you use a computer and go from website to website every day. Over half of them have enough info to send you snail mail! Use a proxy! And learn what programs are spyware.

Epilogue
I would never say that doing all of this will protect you 100%. No software is 100% safe. Because as fast as it's being developed, someone out there on the internet is finding away to break it. And as always, if they want it bad enough they will get it. But most script Kiddies don't persue if you are well protected. If you open the door for them, by not protecting yourself. You might as well post a welcome sign.

Also you should know using a program like adware to stop spyware can cause some software not to operate. The best line of defense you have against all of this is to let the law makers know that all of this has to stop. Your line of defense on spyware that you have, is not to download their spyware in the first place. This sends a message to them too. Lets them know that there are to many software companies competing with them for their business, and their customers are not their pawns.

As for programs to consider for protection. their are several. But depending on your PC's "make or model" some don't work as well and have certain flaws. On a personal note ZoneAlarm, and Tiny personal firewall work fine on my pc. Tiny is more for a person who knows their pc also. Both are free too for personal use only. I use InocculateIT Personal Edition for virus protection. it's free also.

Just use common sense online, you sure wouldn't give a total stranger your personal info on the street... Why would you online?