You need 4 points of protection -

1. Anti-Virus Program:
You need an anti-virus program that you can set up to contact you frequently, online, to update your virus signature files (daily is good). This is not a "virus scan" - if you follow these instructions, you won't have to scan more than once a month or so. (If you don't follow these instructions, a scan will only find virus signatures that are already in your computer).

They estimate there are from 3-5 new viruses a DAY. Need I say more?

There are several good antivirus programs - two that are easy to use are: Norton AntiVirus and McAfee Virus Shield. They are available at any store that sells computer software including Staples and Wal-Mart and cost $40-50. Many new computers come with one of these installed on it.

If you buy the program yourself, you will have a year's subscription to the service. If it's already installed, you will have a 3-9 month subscription. In any case, at the end of the period, you will be notified that it is about to expire. It is VERY important that you take the time to renew. The renewal costs about $30 for a year - you'll need to have your credit card ready. Since some anti-virus companies are now charging for phone calls (or there's no toll-free number available), it's best to renew online. This is a safe use of your credit card as you initiated the contact and it's to a "secure" site.

When you install the program, you will be guided through setting up a schedule of updates (Norton calls it LiveUpdate). Set this up to contact the website of the company daily or every time you go online. This way, whenever you go online, you will be getting any new signatures and you will be protected. If you already have one of these programs on your computer, go to your "Start" button, hover over "Programs," slide your mouse pointer over and click "Norton Antivius" or "McAfee Virus Shield." Once the program window opens, look for a command or button that says "Schedule" or "Options" and set it up to update daily.

You should only have one antivirus program on your computer. If your computer came with one and your Internet Service Provider gives you a different one, they will conflict with each other. Check with Tech Support to find out how to uninstall one.

2. Firewall:
A firewall makes your computer "invisible" to attack from the outside.
Since a broadband connection (cable or DSL), is always connected to the internet whenever the computer is on, you must have this, in addition to an antivirus program. .

Everyone needs a firewall!

Windows XP has a firewall as part of it. To make sure it's turned on, go to Start | Control Panel

Now look for the "Windows Firewall" icon:

Double-click it. Be sure there's a dot next to "On (recommended)." If not, put a dot there and click OK

Again, you can only have one firewall. If one is provided by your Provider, go into the Windows Firewall and turn it off.

A firewall can protect you from Worms and Trojan Horses.

3. Next - Automatic Updates:

Microsoft send out free updates about once a month. You should set your computer to download these automatically. Look for the Automatic Update icon in the Control Panel:

Double-click it. The Windows XP "automatic update" setting, should be turned on. The "default" setting is "Every day at 3:00AM (change this to a time when your computer will be on). Click "Apply" and OK.

Never accept an email that says you can download the patch right from the email (this is a virus that pretends to be from Microsoft). Microsoft will ALWAYS give you a link in their email that goes to the official Microsoft web site where there will be another link to the download site.

4. Anti-spyware

What is Spyware?
A program sent to your computer by an unscrupulous company that sends personal information about you and/or your computer usage back to the company.

Two really good spyware removal programs are Spybot Search & Destroy
and Ad-Aware SE Personal. Since each checks for spyware in a slightly different way, and both are free, download both. Both have a simple link for updates.Check for updates and run them about once a week

Some Internet Service Providers are giving their customers free anti-spyware programs. Be sure to turn these on. I've seen SpySweeper and SpyDoctor - both excellent programs.

In addition, you might want to download Ad-Aware. You can have more than one of these programs and since they all check in different ways, one might find something that another doesn't.

You need all four to be protected!