You can protect yourself from the many threats facing you on the Internet and on your office or home computer and it's easier then you may believe.

In an effort to keep up on computer security, IT professionals subscribe to many different services that provide them with the latest information on security threats to computers, websites and networks.

The stories and white papers often contain some very scary information about how hackers come up with programs that steal identities, steal funds from on-line accounts, infect systems or just make it almost impossible to use your computer due to infections or malware. These hackers often use psychology against the average user to trick them into installing their software unknowingly. Social networks, search engines and email wording are frequently used in this way. Curiosity killed the C---omputer!!

Soooooo, you ask, how can I protect myself from MOST if not ALL of these scary scenarios.

What the majority of these technical white papers emphasis is the importance of keeping your computer security.... UP TO DATE!!!.

This means to you that your operating system updates for Windows, Mac/Apple or Linux should be checked daily to be certain all security updates are installed. Most operating systems provide a mechanism for doing this AUTOMATICALLY. But it's wise to periodical make sure this feature is still turned on and working!!!

This also means that your anti-virus/anti-malware program is kept UP TO DATE!! All to often I find users are NOT even aware that their anti virus automatic update program has expired or worse yet is NOT even installed or running.

It only takes a minute a day to check for updates and install them. ONE OTHER CAUTION!! NEVER open an attachment to an email directly from the email.. INSTEAD, download it first and scan it with your UP TO DATE anti virus/anti-malware program and IF it is a program or attachment you were expecting ...then and only then.... open it.. If it came from someone you do not know or did not request information from DO NOT open it.. just dispose of it and the email from which it came.

Lastly, when using search engines DO NOT click on the first few items that pop up without looking at the link they are taking you too. All too often these links contain dangerous payloads destined to infect a vulnerable computer system. Make sure the status bar is turned on in your browser and when you run the mouse over the search link, look at the URL that the link takes you to before clicking on it. IF it looks like a legitimate link related to your search AND if your ANTI VIRUS/MALWARE programs are up to date and running and your Operating system security is up-to-date, then click on the link.

By following these simple steps you can avoid most of the pitfalls that otherwise cost you time and money to repair as a result of security violations.