We are often asked about security measures for PC Workstations… Which Anti-Virus? Which Firewall? etc.

Firstly, we should mention the main elements of a sound security plan for your PC —

• Protection against viruses, worms and Trojans, including email viruses
• Protection against rootkits
• Protection against spyware or “malware”
• Protection against phishing
• Protection against access to your computer from the internet (Firewall)
• Protection against data loss (Data backup)

As an absolute minimum you should have anti-virus software installed on your PC and have that software updated constantly.

DO NOT

• Believe that it won’t happen to you … it will
• Believe that someone else (especially your ISP) has done it for you
• Think that you don’t have to get regular updates
• Trust that your PC guru will be able to fix your machine after it has been attacted… she won’t
• Attach your Laptop/Notebook to any network unless you are certain that the network is properly protected (even then think twice before plugging in), and your machine is fully protected as described below.

So here is our recommendation for an effective, scalable approach to securing your PC.

Go to http://www.free-av.com/en/index.html and as a minimum download and install the Avira AntiVirus Personal - FREE Antivirus.

Seriously consider buying and installing Avira AntiVir Premium from that same site if there is anything on your computer that you cannot afford to have destroyed or if you do a lot of browsing to untrusted web sites.

And, if your PC is an integral part of your financial life, lash out and buy Avira Premium Security Suite.

And finally, think about your passwords! You’d be surprised just how many people (obviously not you) who do not have their PC protected with a secure password and who store their passwords in their browser for anyone to use. Just imagine that you have just broken into your own home, walk up to your computer and see if you can connect to your Internet Banking account without having to actually type at least 2 passwords.

If you can do it, you can be positive that the next unauthorised person (cleaner perhaps) who has access to your PC will be able to do exactly that!

By the way, it takes the average teenage hacker less than 10 seconds to log on to your Windows PC even if you have set an 8 character password!

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