Note: many of the pages in this security guide have multiple images, and as such are slow to download onto your browser if you are using a Dial-up connection on the internet. Be patient.

Following this guide will give you security which approaches 100%... and its all free!

Even if you are a beginning computer user, this guide will walk you step by step through installing:

• a firewall;
• the Windows operating system updates and the Microsoft Office updates;
• an anti-virus program;
• an anti-spyware program;
• and, a pop-up blocker.

You will also learn how to download and run a powerful

• system cleaning program.

Click on these words to go to the next page-- the introductory page of the guide to securing your computer for free. The step by step path starts there.

ZoneAlarm free personal firewall. You are free to use this firewall on your personal computer. Nothing will get on or off your computer without your knowledge and permission. Windows XP firewall only blocks incoming traffic and does not monitor nor block rouge Trojan horse programs that find their way onto your computer. Trojans can send info out to the Internet to their Z0mbi3 Master. ZA is your personal firewall: nothing gets in or out unless you say so.

- ZA page 1. Download the installer program.
- ZA page 2. Installation walkthrough.
- ZA page 3. Installation walkthrough continued.
- ZA page 4. Programs' control.
- ZA page 5. Automatic update notification.

Update your Windows operating system for free and keep it updated. For your security, it is critical that you install Microsoft's "Critical Updates". Free to the public.

[Note of caution: I personally suggest you NOT install the "Driver Updates" if you are not experiencing hardware problems. Driver up-dates are best gotten from the hardware maunfacture's website.]

- MS page 1. Microsoft Operating System Updates
- MS page 2. Microsoft Critical Update Notification

Update your Microsoft Office 97 or 97/98, Office 2000, Office 2003, or Office XP programs including Word, Access, Excell, Outlook, etc. to get the most complete set of available problem fixes and security hole patches. This is quite separate and in addition to the regular Windows Updates page... except that I have recently seen a notice that for Windows XP users; the regular Windows Updates and the Office products Updates are both available on the regular Windows Updates page. Free to the public.

AVG. Download and install free anti-virus software by Grisoft that you are welcome to use on your personal computer. It continously monitors your system against viruses. Free to the public.

Any other free-trial anti-virus program(s) that may have come on your computer either are, or soon will be, outdated and therefore are, or soon will be, useless against new viruses. In other words, free trial anti-virus software is useless unless you are still within the trial period AND you have updated your anti-virus software recently (preferably today) before you open your E-mailbox. You can easily install AVG free automatic-updating anti-virus software. After downloading AVG, but before installing AVG, uninstall any existing anti-virus program(s) on your system.

- AVG page 1. Download the installer program.
- AVG page 2. Installation.
- AVG page 3. Installation continued: After system restart
- AVG page 4. Program control settings.

Spyware is easily picked up by simply browsing the internet. Spyware, strictly speaking, is not a security threat, but spyware runs in your computer's background slowing your computer to a crawl if you get too much of it.

I use two anti-spyware programs. Both are free to the public versions.

These are the instructions I have written for this anti-spyware tool called "Ad-aware SE version 1.06". This is one of two anti-spyware programs I use. Look for version "SE/1.06" It is the personal version free to the public.

Say goodbye to spyware with "Spybot Search and Destroy". This is another free anti-spyware program that scans and removes known spyware. Spybot continually monitors your system against spyware being installed on your computer while you browse the internet. You might still get spyware on your system from programs you install, but you can remove that spyware after those installations. "Adaware" is another free anti-spyware option. Spybot can be set to automatically update if you have a broadband or DSL internet connection: If you have Dial-Up, you can manually update anytime you want. If you have version 1.3 of Spybot installed, uninstall it and get version 1.4. Free to the public.

Eliminate annoying pop-up window advertising with this free and easy to use Pop-up Stopper ® by Panicware, Inc. Pop-up Stopper ® is especially helpful for systems NOT running Windows XP; for example my Windows 98 SE operating system. Pop-up Stopper ® automatically checks for updates and then automatically updates itself as the folks at Panicware make udates available. Free to the public.

Use TrendMicro's system cleaner which is free to the public if you are infected and your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs can not reach the problem.

This cleaner does not actively monitor your system. It only repairs or removes infected files from your computer system if you run a scan.

I understand that TrendMicro has an on-line scannig option also, but this instruction page is for using the more powerful off-line cleaner. Free to the public.

These are a few other free to the public goodies for which I have written instructions for the download and installation of.