I would like to encourage everyone to follow the sound advice below to keep your computers safe from hackers, viruses, spyware and malware.

1. If you have Microsoft XP home or pro. Install service pack 2. Click here to go to windows update.
2. Turn on Windows automatic update or check once a week for critical updates. There is a setting that will automatically update your computer. The default is 3:00 am however your computer must be on and connected to the internet through DSL or cable. In addition if need be your computer will reboot automatically. This could effect other auto running programs such as backup software. If this is the case the auto update time can be changes so you can monitor it or auto update can be set to notify you that an update is needed so you can manually update Windows.
3. Check and install Microsoft Office updates.
4. Install a current version of Anti-Virus software and keep it up to date.
5. Install a 3rd party Firewall such as Zone Alarm, Norton Internet Security, or McAfee The Windows XP firewall is OK but I personally think one of these products are better.
6. Use a spyware detection software. I often have to use 2 or 3 programs to remove all troublesome spyware. There are a lot of products however I use Ad-Aware Personal SE or Ad-Aware Plus by Lavasoft, Spysweeper by Webroot, and SpyBot Search & Destroy by Safer Networking. Ad-Aware & Spybot have a free ware version that will allow you to update the files.
7. Pop-up blockers. Some pop-up blockers are actually spyware so be careful. If you purchase Zone Alarm pro it has a pop-up blocker built in. If you have installed Windows XP service pack 2 it also has a built in pop-up blocker. If not I recommend installing the Goggle toolbar which incorporate a pop-up blocker.
8. Stay away from other specialized toolbars that you can add to your browser.
9. If your presented with a popup warning you that your infected DO NOT click on the link provided that promises it can clean your system. This is a hoax that will infect your computer to the point that computing life will be miserable.
10. Never put personal information such as credit card numbers, drivers license numbers or social security number into an email.
11. Never respond to an email from PayPal asking you to update your account information. Just ignore them or block them. They will go away after a while. sometimes it take while.
12. When every purchasing anything on the internet always make sure there is a lock in the lower corner of your web browser IE6 or next to the address bar in IE7. Also look at the URL address it should start with https: The "S" at the end indicates a secured site. This information ensures you are on a secured server. Nothing is 100% safe but this helps. Don't trust sites that tell you they are secured but don't have the lock showing.
13. With all kinds of sites these days asking for you to register with a user name and password it's hard to keep track. I use a password manager program that has one secured password that lets me into the program. I also recommend creating an email address just for these sites. One you give to every online business that ask for one. This will cut down on spam to your personal email address. Do not give your often used password to these site registration. Use the password manager to keep track of the many different passwords you use or let the program suggest a password. I use an older version of Steganos password manager but there are other password keeping programs. Norton's last version was in 2004 and I can't locate the stand alone version from Steganos at this time. However a Google search for "Password Manger" revealed several products. One suggested password method for online sites would be your initials then the company name then a number such as your address, zip code, part of your phone or SS number. such as crnorton3300 or crmcafee3300.