Written by Paul West

Protecting your computer against viruses, adware, or hacker, may cost you around £40 - £50 every year. That's if you go for one of the software packages sold in computer stores.

But did you know that ther are equally effective packages that are ABSOLUTELY FREE ?

Your computer is vunerable to being attacked in three main ways:

• 1 SPYWARE - this is where information is collected on your internet browsing or shopping habits. This information is then passed back to somebody else so that your computer can be targeted with 'relevant' adverts.
• Your keyboard strokes may also be recorded and the information sent to criminals. This information could be your passwords, online banking details, or credit card numbers.
• Adware is responsible for those annoying pop-ups that try to sell you everything from mobile ring tones to cars.
• Browser Hijacking - if you find that your homepage has changed all by itself, or that a different search engine appears when you search using Google, MSN, or Yahoo, or that when you try to go to your chosen website, you are taken to to a gambling or obscene site, then your browser has probably been hijacked.
• Fortunately there are solutions that will fix and prevent these attacks and they are absolutely free.
• Microsoft has a new anti-spyware program called Windows Defender www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware. It features real-time protection to help guard your computer against pop-ups, slow performance, and security threats caused by spyware and other unwanted software.
• Another program called Ad-Aware www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware has a free version that scans your computer for spyware and deletes any spyware or adware found.
• If you are a frequent internet user, you should scan your computer for spyware at least once every week.
  
• 2. VIRUSES - A virus is any computer program that can 'self replicate', or make copies of itself, spreading from one computer to another without the help of the user.
  Some viruses are designed to be annoying rather that harmful. Others however, will destroy your data or even make your computer unusable. Once you hace a virus, getting rid of it can be time consuming and tricky.
  AVG Anti-Virus FREE Edition from Grisoft www.free.grisoft.com features real-time protection and will effectively clean a virus infected computer.

• 3. COMPUTER HACKERS - Although Windows XP (service pack 2) has its own firewall, you should consider a stronger firewall such as Zone-Alarm www.zonelabs.com. This is easy to install and is completely free.
  The purpose of a firewall is to stop other internet users from gaining access to your computer. Having a firewall is essential, especially if you have broadband.

Finally, if you have more than one user account on your computer, you should run your weekly spyware and virus check on each of the accounts. Don't just scan the account that you use.

If you have a problem with your pc or have an internet related problem, please call either 07738 712181 or 01234 818616, or send me a message using the 'contact us ' link.