Computer Security Software - Ways to Protect Your Computer

To secure and protect your PC is a personal responsibility you must not take lightly; for in it is the lifeblood of everything - Information!  Whether at home, school, office, or any business and organization you're into, this responsibility must be put into action. Else, your money, investments, identity and personal information could be at risk!
Ways to Protect Your PC
Firewalls. A component of a network or computer system that is  intended to block system access that are not authorized while allowing authorized interactions and communication. Firewalls are executed in either software or hardware, or integration of both.

• For those already connected with the Internet through a router, there's no need to install 'all-in-one' security software since your router now serves as hardware-based firewall to restrain bad guys, Internet worms, trojan horses and viruses from having access to your system.
• As part of MS Windows Security Measures, as with the XP and Vista, built-in software firewalls are already integrated with the package to protect you from bad elements that causes system destruction.
• Turn on your Windows XP firewall by clicking: Start button then click Control Panel then Security Center icon then click the Windows Firewall situated at the bottom of the window.
•  Read information about Firewalls and you may download free software firewall that will accomplish tasks to keep you protected.

Anti-virus. Essential software that is used to detect, remove and prevent malwares, computer viruses, worms and trojan horses. These programs also remove and prevent spyware, adware and other forms of malware.

• Unlike Firewalls, Anti-viruses are not integrated with any version of Windows. But, no need to spend much to pay for anti-virus protection.
• Search the Internet for information about anti-viruses and download the free version that has been proven to work efficiently and effectively, or even better than those paid ones - AVG, A'vast, Avira AntiVir, PC Tools AntiVirus, and many more.
• Anti-phishing. As defined in the field of computer security, Phishing refers to the criminally fraudulent process of trying to obtain sensitive information - usernames, passwords, and account details such as in credit cards by pretending to be a trustworthy agent in an electronic transaction or communication.
• Phishing is usually carried-out by instant messaging, emails and other communication means; masquerading to be coming from popular auction sites, social networking websites, online payment processors or IT administrators to entice unsuspicious public.
• The Internet Explorer 7 of MS Windows XP (free downloadable upgrade) and MS Windows Vista (pre-installed) comes with built-in anti-phishing software. To enable this feature or to verify if this is already enabled: Start Internet Explorer then go to Tools, then Phishing Filter then Turn on automatic Phishing Filter (recommended).
• Download and install to take advantage of free protection offered by Anti-virus companies - TrendMicro's TrendProtect and OpenDNS.

Anti-spyware. A type of Malware that may be installed on computers to gather bits of user's information at a time without the users' awareness. Spywares are usually hidden from the user and are hard to detect and remove once infected since they're secretly installed.
Spyware has become very common and hard to detect that it has almost substituted viruses. But this has been resolved with some Anti-spyware programs; providing protection at no cost - Windows Defender (MS Windows XP & Vista), SpywareBlaster (Built-in with Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Mozilla's Firefox).
All-In-One Security Software. If you prefer a piece of software that does it all, there are a variety of free versions to select from - CyberDefender and Blink Personal Edition (free for one year).
Though, this All-In-One Security Software works just fine, many technical people do not really recommended this but the choice is entirely yours.
Keep in mind that protecting your computer means protecting every thing - your wealth, investments, identity and life. And there are a variety of means and ways to do this. Search the Internet and read articles to help you make a wise decision; just be sure not to spend much when there are available options for being effectively and efficiently protected at minimal or no cost at all!