Pike's Guide to PC Security

Several of you requested (and the rest might be interested anyway) a guide to
MINIMUM PC security. So here is a quick little overview.

There are four (minimum) categories of utilities you should run to keep your PC safe and usable: Firewalls, Antivirus, Antispyware (and adware), and pop-up blockers.

A firewall is simply a utility that examines traffic to and from your computer, and decides whether to let it happen or not. Windows has a built in firewall, but it sucks, so disable it after you install a better one.
I suggest running ZoneAlarm from http://www.zonelabs.com, it's an excellent program, and is totally free. Take a few minutes to follow the "Tutorial" with the program, it's time well spent. Once you get the firewall set up and "trained", it will pretty much run in the background and not bother you.

Next, you need some programs to remove spyware and adaware from your system. I say "some" because no one program has been shown to be able to get everything, so you really need to run a couple. Spyware is both annoying and dangerous, as it may leave wholes in your computer defenses, and may send out personal information about you to identity thieves. The two programs I suggest are: Adaware and Spybot Search and Destroy (which are both free). These programs need to be manually updated before running a scan to make sure they are using the latest info, and the scans need to be run manually on a regular basis. While it is a pain to remember to do, make sure to run them at least once a month.

Antivirus is pretty damn important too, but they usually want money (booo...). There are a few free antivirus programs out there though, including Grisoft, so you have NO excuse for not running one of them. Again, these programs need to be updated constantly, but most have a way that you can set them to automatically check for updates. Make sure that full computer scans are being run at least weekly, either manually (by YOU) or by the program's scheduling function.

Finally, one of my favorite tools out there, is the Google Toolbar. It incorporates an excellent pop-up blocking utility (which on a side note, will allow pop-ups on a website if you hold down the "Ctrl" key while clicking a link), a handy Autofill function for filling in your name and address information on website forms (although I do not recommend storing a credit card number in it), a built in Google search bar, and a Highlighter function that lets you find keywords buried in long websites.

Also, you probably hear it all the time, but I will tell you, they ARE serious about updating Windows (http://www.support.microsoft.com) frequently, and with good reason.

Also, in general, be VERY paranoid about your info, shred, burn or drown your documents, and don't input info into websites that you get to from links in emails that were SENT to you. (You wouldn't believe what I could do to you if I got my hands on your name and social security number alone, so be
PARANOID.)

Don't install software you don't know, and don't open email attachments unless you have witnesses that can vouch for their lineage at least 4 Fathers back.
In other words, use common sense...

~Pike