1. Use Authentic, Legal Software alone!

Anything else and you are a thief!

Illegal/ Pirated software may not work at all, may not be complete, may not be free from viruses and definitely will not be supported by the manufacturer. So you may not be eligible for upgrades and patches released from time to time by the manufacturer.

2. Your Operating System software should be as up-to-date as possible. Always.

Although both Windows XP and Vista (all versions) have an auto update feature, it is a good idea to manually check for Windows Updates weekly - or at least once every fortnight

Microsoft Windows self-updates itself whenever you are connected to the Internet. However, it pays to check the Microsoft site once-in-a-while, to check out whether you have missed out any important update!

• Say weekly, if you browse the Internet frequently

• Certainly fortnightly, if you aren't a regular Netizen

The link to Windows update is; http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/default.aspx. You can access this link by means of the Tools/ Windows Update MenuItem (a MenuItem is the text that is at the top of any Program (the usual MenuItems are File, Edit, Help, etc.), under Internet Explorer.

Microsoft provides two kinds of Windows updates - Express and Custom. It is vital to install the Express Updates as soon as possible - these are security loopholes discovered, the Express updates would 'patch' the security loopholes in Windows

Certainly, a company should not be targeted for being successful, whatever be the means of attaining the success. As Microsoft product users, we are severely impacted by any loopholes in the product that unscrupulous people utilize to extract information from your PC without your consent, or to bring down your PC. You are assured some amount of peace of mind by regularly checking, downloading and installing the Windows Express Updates.

Under Custom updates, you will find Microsoft's updates for your Hardware as well as Software. These usually help run your PC more smoothly, with some of the Custom updates even adding new functions and features to your machine. While these aren't vital, it makes sense to check, download and install Custom updates at regular intervals (once in a month) too

3. Your other Microsoft products (such as MS Office, MS Project and MS Visio, etc.), should be as up-to-date as possible too

All Microsoft products update automatically. However, it is a good idea to check manually for updates once every fortnight or so

Microsoft products are targeted by Hackers and other unscrupulous people, as the market share of Windows-based PCs is about 93% of all installed PCs worldwide. (The remaining 7-and-odd percentage is held by the Apple Macintosh machines)

To secure your PC as well as you can against these unscrupulous people, you must update all your Microsoft products, too

4. You must run a top-notch Antivirus Program.

For a comparison and recommendation on the best Antivirus programs, go to PC Security/ AntiVirus MenuItem, in the Menu above

Viruses can cause data loss, you could end up losing all your hard work of many years, if your PC is subject to a Virus attack.

Spending about $100 for an Antivirus program is like spending on Insurance - you do not expect to die, yet you pay the premium every year!

5. Installing the best Antivirus program alone will not keep viruses away from your machine.

You must update your Antivirus program every 2-3 days, else your computer is open to attack by the latest viruses, for which you have not yet downloaded the Antivirus updates!

Even the best Antivirus is only as good as its latest patch!

6. You must run a top-notch AntiSpyware Program.

For a comparison and recommendation on the best AntiSpyware programs, go to PC Security/ AntiSpyware MenuItem, in the Menu above

Spyware is the latest security hazard on the block. While Viruses can cause data loss, Spyware can cause you financial loss - even loss of credibility and standing in society!

Spending yet another $100 for an AntiSpyware program is therefore a great investment idea!

7. Like the OS and the Antivirus program, your AntiSpyware program needs to be updated as well.

It is a good idea to update your Antivirus and AntiSpyware program at the same time, once every 2 to 3 days

With new kinds of Spyware programs constantly coming up, the need to update your AntiSpyware program is also vital!