Even though you might use the internet to post your Etsy listings, check out the latest of Facebook and tweet your new glass art, how do you know you are really secure and websites you peruse aren't silently taking information from you?
The key concept with security on PCs is to have 'layers of defense'. Think of computer security like the castle cities of olden-times with the most precious resource, the throne (your information) in the centre, your knights, the walls of the castle, and a moat on the very outer edges. If the intruders get past the moat, you have big strong walls. If they get inside the castle, you have knights in shining armour.
With a PC, you want to have a moat, a strong castle and your knights in shining armour all working together to get the best outcome.
The Moat: A PC Firewall
A firewall blocks attempts from intruders who access your PC from the internet and is an absolute essential especially if you don't have a server-based firewall. On desktop PCs, we recommend ZoneAlarm Pro for the firewall. Don't get the version with the anti-virus included because we recommend using a different anti-virus below and two anti-virus products don't work together.
The Castle Walls: Anti-virus
Anti-virus is essential because you can get viruses that don't just come through the moat: they can come from friends on disks or USB keys when you share data. We recommend Kapersky for anti-virus. We love it because it not only catches the viruses but it doesn't slow your computer down like some anti-virus software. It is the best anti-virus we have ever used (and we have used a lot). It has automatic discovery & updates every week automatically.
Your Knight in Shining Armour: Spyware
Even with your best efforts and a great anti-virus and firewall, some websites install little pieces of software code that range from annoying (e.g. they track what websites you visit) to viscious. And although the firewall software we recommend above does have a spyware tool, we have found having two means you catch even more (extra layers of defense). We recommend Spybot Search & Destroy for spyware and best of all - its free.
