Common Sense!!!!!!

Never open email attachments unless you know the sender, expected the attachment, and know what the attachment is before opening

Use a GOOD anti-virus program, have it active at all times, and keep the definitions up to date (if it has an auto-updater, use it)

Use a firewall (software or hardware - doesn't matter - just use one!) Even if you have a router use a good software firewall as well such as Sygate

If using a router be sure to change the defualt password, if using a wireless router you should also not allow remote logins to your router, enable WEP, disable SSID and enable MAC address cloning

Use AdAware and Spybot as scanning programs on a regular basis. You must use both - one will often miss items the other will catch. Neither is better than the other - just different.

Download and use both SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard from javacool. SB is a passive utility that will innoculate the registry and prevent spyware entries from being installed. SG is an active utility that sits in the system tray and prevents spyware from being installed. Again, they are complementary to one another - use both and keep definitions updated

Visit Windows Update regularly and be sure to install all Critical Security Patches

Common Sense!!!!!!!

Never go to web sites that are known for spyware

Allow First Party & Session Cookies, but block Third Party Cookies

Never post your email address or other personal information on a web site or forum

Do not allow others to surf the web on your computer - or be prepared for the consequences

Common Sense!!!!!!!!

Never reply to emails that request personal information, regardless of the apparent source of the request

Stay the heck out of chat rooms

Try an alternative web browser such as Mozilla, it is more secure and has a lot more customizable security settings

Did I mention Common Sense? lol!
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THIS WOULD DESTROY THE CONTENTS OF THE HARD DRIVE.

DEPENDING ON THE SOFTWARE PROVIDER(S) - IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO AUTOMATE ALL THE SECURITY SOFTWARE, SO THAT IT WILL DOWNLOAD UPDATES AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. THEN YOU NEED DO NO MORE!

Incidentally I'm not shouting - I'm being easy to read!

YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED ONE OF THE DOWNFALLS OF THE INTERNET. IT'S ALL OUT THERE, BUT YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TRUE!

IF YOU CLICK ON THE AVATAR OF THE ANSWERER, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE HOW MANY OF THEIR ANSWERS WERE VOTED BEST (WHAT PERCENTAGE IS THE BETTER GUIDE) - BUT ITS STILL ONLY A GUIDE.

GOOD LUCK!
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As for how often to run them, well I generally just leave all the automated updates to handle everything for me. I only really run the programs if I think there is a problem (such as slow loading or excessive popups(usually because of spyware)).

But most of the things you have installed are preventative so you probably don't need to do anything.

Once a month is probably often enough just for peace of mind. virus scan, scandisk, disk defrag.

and check for updates maybe once a week.
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Install one Antivirus software which is well known in the market like MCaffee or NOrton… And a firewall this to is more than enough for ur systemmm…

Enable onaccess SCAN so tht wht ever u open first it scans and then it will open….

Install toolbars like GOOGLE TOOL BAR which blocks popups… coz popups are very dangeroues and it will download trojans and spywares from the back ground….
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Happy Surfing
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thanks
regards
islaminamdar@yahoo.com
join my randomizer http://www.allyours.info
inamdarinfotech.com
ps. dont 4get to vote for best answer
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