-Install antivirus software & enable automatic updates to keep your virus database current.
-Renew your antivirus subscription in order to continue to receive updates (most subscriptions are for ONLY one year) ...if you don't, your computer will be left open to new viruses not contained in the database. There are THOUSANDS of viruses created everyday!!!
-If you think you have a virus, check out the sites below for FREE downloadable and online virus scans:

-Panda ActiveScan™
-McAfee FreeScan™
-BitDefender®
-RAV Antivirus Scan Online™

-Don’t have virus protection software, you can purchase the most popular antivirus software online from your home or small business by clicking on one of the links below:

-If you don’t think you can afford top-of-the line security, you can find FREE HOME versions of antivirus software here:

-Avast! Antivirus®
-AVG by Grisoft™

-Some Internet Service Providers (ISP), such as Cox High Speed Internet™ and AOL™, offer antivirus software & updates for a very small monthly fee. This is an extra service and will be included on your monthly bill.

-If you don’t have any programs to locate and delete spyware, Spybot ~ Search & Destroy™ has the most effective spyware killing program. You can download it free (a donation is requested) by clicking here.

-Outlook® and Outlook Express® include built in filters. To use spam filters on these products, follow these steps:

-For Outlook®:

-Select the e-mail which is “Junk Mail” by clicking on the e-mail once
-On the menu bar, go to you Actions > Junk E-Mail > Add to Junk Senders List

-For Outlook Express®:

-Select the e-mail which is “Junk Mail” by clicking on the e-mail once
-On the menu bar, go to Message > Block Sender

-If you want additional protection, you can find numerous anti-spam freeware/shareware for Outlook® and Outlook Express® at www.cnet.com™.
-Check with your ISP, they may offer programs free for download also and many already have spam filters on their mail servers, so you don’t even get them in your mail box in the first place.
-Make sure you enable your anti-spam software to scan both incoming & outgoing messages. Many viruses will alter your system to send e-mails without your knowledge from various programs. This is how viruses spread!

-Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Internet Options > under Temporary Internet Files click Settings > View Files
-Hold down the Ctrl key + A (which selects all your temporary Internet files)
-Then, hold down the Shift key + Delete (which permanently deletes all your temporary Internet files
-Click on the X at the top right-hand corner of the window or by clicking the OK button

-Turn off all programs listed in the task bar in the bottom right-hand of the screen by right-clicking on the programs, then select close or exit
-Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tool > Scan Disk
-Select the letter of the hard drive you want to scan (usually C:)
-Then click Scan (this will take a while so don’t sit and wait on it, just check it every now and then)

-Turn off all programs listed in the task bar in the bottom right-hand of the screen by right-clicking on the programs, then select close or exit
-Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tool > Disk Defragmenter
-Select the drive letter of the hard drive you want to defrag (usually C:)
-Then click start (this will take many, many hours—I suggest letting it run then going to bed)

-For instruction on how to use the Registry Checker, please visit click the link for Microsoft® Knowledge Base Article - 183887
-To find registry tools, please visit PC Magazine’s OS Utility Page
***DO NOT EDIT THE REGISTRY UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING...IF YOU DELETE THE WRONG KEY OR VALUE, IT MAY RENDER YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM USELESS AND UNUSABLE!!!

-Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs
-Click on the program you want to uninstall
-Then click Remove or Uninstall and wait for the program to uninstall
**IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT A PROGRAM IS, THEN DON’T DELETE IT!!!

-To find FREE pop-up blockers, go to www.cnet.com™ --the largest resource for freeware and shareware (Just make sure it says, “Free” and not “Free to Try”).

-Do not download unlicensed software or software copies.
-Read the “License” before installing the program.
-Don’t download file-sharing programs, such as Kaaza!
-Most file-sharing programs not only download the file-sharing but they also install spyware & adware programs that track you every move on the Internet and they are a PAIN to fully deleted from your system.

-To check for current driver updates, go to the hardware manufacturer’s Website and they usually have a list of drivers under “Support.”
-To find out what hardware you have, do the following:

-Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information
-Expand the list under hardware, write down the product name and manufacturer then search for it on the Internet

- To turn off Automatic Updates, use the following steps:

- For Windows® 2000:

-Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > double-click Automatic Updates
-Click to clear the check box next to, Keep my computer up to date

- For Windows® XP:

-Go to Start > Settings > Control Panel > double-click System
-Click the Automatic Updates tab
-Click to clear the check box next to, Keep my computer up to date

-Hardware firewalls

-A hardware firewall is a networking device called a router. Routers filter unwanted traffic generated from the Internet and prevents hackers from hacking into your system.
-Routers can be inexpensive—around $20 or $30 if you catch them on sale at your local computer parts store.

-Software firewalls

-A software firewall works similar to a router but is a program that runs continuously making sure unwanted Internet traffic and hackers do not get into your system.

-Some antivirus software have built-in firewalls.
-Windows® 2000 and XP have built-in firewalls in their operating systems.
-If you are running Windows® 95, 98, ME or NT, ZoneAlarm™, a software firewall, offers a free version for home users. Go to www.zonealarm.com™.
-If you have a broadband connection (always-on connection to the Internet), a firewall is a MUST!

-Hackers often use “ports” to hack into computers.
-There are several ports open any time your system is turned on and unless you are tech savvy, disabling these ports or changing default port numbers is not recommended.
-Protect your ports by downloading or buying a port scanner like Port Magic™.
-ISP’s, like AOL™, sometimes offer their subscribers port monitoring software for free—check with your ISP to see what they offer.

-Purchase a container of canned air
-Make sure your computer is turned off
-Open up the case/tower by unscrewing the panel (usually the left panel)
-Hold the canister of canned air about 6 inches from the components of your computer and spray until you see no more dust flying around
-Don't forget to spray out your power supply (usually at the top of the case) and your fans (usually one on the motherboard over the CPU and up to several in the back and front of your case)