Many people who use windows are affected with problems like viruses,worms,trojan,spyware and malware etc.So they resort to spend a lot of money on antivirus,anti spyware etc tools.But before you spend money for security, you could always try these simple free tips.
1. Update your windows and office regularly .Have your Office CD ready. Windows Me, 2000, and XP users can configure automatic updates. Click on the Automatic Updates tab in the System control panel and choose the appropriate options.
2. Install a personal firewall. Both SyGate and ZoneAlarm free versions.
3. Install spyware blocker. SpyBot is paranoid and ruthless in hunting out tracking cookies and spyware.
4. Block balloon messages in Windows NT, 2000, or XP by disabling the Windows Messenger service (it's no way related to MSN messenger). Open Control Panel-> Administrative Tools -> Services and you'll see Messenger. Right-click ->Properties. Set Start-up Type to Disabled and press the Stop button. That's it the balloon popups are gone! Any good firewall will also stop them.
5. Use strong passwords and change them periodically. Passwords should be at least eight characters; use letters and numbers and have at least one symbol. This will make it much harder for anyone to gain unauthorized access to your accounts.
6. Use always the latest versions of mail clients like MS Outlook and Outlook Messenger.
7. Use a good antivirus software and always keep it up to date. If you're not willing to pay, try Grisoft AVG Free Edition. And doublecheck your antivirus with the free, online scanners like Panda Software and Trendmicro.
8. If you have a wireless network, turn on the security features: Use MAC filtering, turn off SSID broadcast, and use WEP with the biggest key you can get.
9. Join a good security forum, preferably those of antivirus software company sites , so that you learn about emerging and new threats quickly and can take proper precautions.
10. Don't believe anything blindly on the Internet. Don't assume that the if the From: address is from a known person, it is actually from that person until you have further reason to believe it. Don't believe any attachments. Don't give out your password to anyone, even if that person says he's going to help you.