Close to a million home PC users have been infected by viruses.

For many, computers are our business. We keep in contact with customers and clients via email, use the internet for research, and send important files around the globe.

There are some simple precautions we can take to protect our businesses by keeping our PCs virus free. Some of these precautions are free to use.

The following six recommendations will help keep your computer healthy and your business uninterrupted.

Firewalls
A basic firewall is a software security system that acts as a barrier between your computer and the internet by monitoring all incoming traffic. A more advanced firewall will monitor outgoing traffic as well as incoming traffic. How you use your computer will determine whether basic or advanced firewall protection is needed.

A firewall makes your computer invisible while you're on the Internet. Therefore hackers can't see you, which means they can't attack you. Windows XP has this software already installed. You may need to enable it. Directions for how to enable your firewall are available on the Microsoft website.

For non XP users, firewall software can be purchased. Norton and McAfee are two very popular products.
Before you install a firewall, you want to check how vulnerable your computer may be. This is something that can be checked for free and in just a few minutes on the Symantec website.

Antivirus Software
When you use antivirus software, your computer is protected against known threats. Antivirus software is already installed on many computers.

Be sure to keep your antivirus updated regularly with the latest virus definitions. These definitions are formed in response to the latest viruses, so it's important that you stay protected. If you don't already have antivirus software installed, you should consider getting it.

You will be automatically notified when new virus definitions are available, then all you need to do is download the new definitions.
You will also be notified when your antivirus software is due for renewal. The software will need to be updated every year. You may purchase, renew, and update online.

Spyware
Websites that offer free software or shareware,  that you download will also install tracking devices on your computer called spyware. Spyware is not illegal. This is why we get pop ups.

You may wish to search the internet for spyware elimination software. It is important to get one and use it regularly. Spybot and PestPatrol are popular choices.

Spybot Search and Destroy is free. Once it identifies spyware  the software will provide a list of the spyware found on your computer. This is helpful because it may identify something that you don't want to get rid of.

Backup
So many of us don't backup anything. Everyone knows the importance of backing up our information yet we don't do it. There are many reasons why we don't do it, but the one reason we should do it on a regular basis is that it can save time, or even save your  business if your computer system is corrupted for any reason.

If you use Windows XP Professional, the backup procedure is quite simple. For those who use XP Home Edition, it is a bit more involved. You can find instructions on the Microsoft website.

Having well organised files will simplify the process of backing up data files, which is what most of us need to backup. Whether you backup to floppy disk, CDs, zip disk, DVDs, external file drives or utilise one of the online services, it is important that you get into the habit of backing up data regularly.

Windows Updates
Users of Windows are automatically notified of current updates for the Windows operating system. It's necessary to visit the Microsoft website when patches for application software such as Windows XP, NT, 2000 etc. become available for protection against certain worms and viruses.

Microsoft will scan your computer and tell you what updates are available, and you may install the updates on your system. To complete the download you will need your installation CDs.

It is imperative to check for updates weekly on the Microsoft website as well as run the automatic updates because of the recent run of viruses.

Email Attachments
As email is such a widely accepted method of communication, hackers now use email as a means of spreading viruses. Your diligence is the only software required for this final recommendation.

Be sure to delete emails from unknown senders and be very careful of any attachments that are sent to you from known senders. It is easy for hackers to access Outlook address books to spread viruses.

Including a fake email address in your address book will not prevent your PC from spreading viruses. This is a myth. When it comes to the health of our computers, prevention is better than cure. Effective prevention software used with a little bit of common sense, can keep your computer protected.