Making Your Internet Experience Safe

As one may know, Microsoft owns everything in the computer world. From the OS you use (assuming you are reading this from Windows XP) to the very browser you surf the web with, Microsoft is everywhere. People hate Microsoft, this is obvious (Google-ing will tell you), and thus poor uninformed users are attacked from everywhere. Though the internet is dangerous, with proper protection, one can avoid the viruses and hacking.

Firefox

The browser that is taking back the web, Mozilla Firefox 1.0.2, is the best thing to come to the browser world since Netscape Communicator 4. It is encouraging competition and its army is strong, 25 million plus downloads, showing that innovation is needed in the computing world. Many techies and I use Firefox for its innovations including pop-up blockers, ad-blocking, tabbed browsing, and extremely fast interface. Though the internet is playing catch-up, the control IE has is shrinking. Less prone to the attacks and holes found in IE, it is safer and ensures a positive internet experience. Once you go to Firefox, you won't want it any other way.

Link:
Mozilla Firefox 1.0.2

Anti-Virus

It seems that now-a-days new computers have anti-virus software installed, but for those who don't have any, get it. There are many anti-virus software available, and if you have the money then reach for the McAfee and Symantec. No money? No problem. There are two perfectly good anti-virus software that costs nothing. Avast 4 Home Edition and AVG Antivirus Free Edition are great programs and protect you from the viruses out there. Don't download and open anything unless you are sure it is free of viruses. Like wise, don't open e-mail attachments at all. Unless you know that person, avoid it; even then, use your anti-virus to make sure. It is better to be safe than sorry.

Links:
Avast 4 Home Edition
AVG Antivirus Free Editon

Firewall

With an effective browser and anti-virus, the next step is to aquire a firewall. Windows XP SP2 users are lucky--they already have one built in. That is just find and dandy, but it is just not enough. Two of my favorites, Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6 and ZoneAlarm 5.5, are recommended by the top tech users. For average joes, this software is not that difficult to control at all. Each one has easy to use interfaces, and are capable of learning your browsing habits, granting that you help it learn. Both question every program, so this can be a bit annoying, but checking a box solves that. I recommend them both, just choose one and march on through the internet.

Links:
Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6
ZoneAlarm 5.5

Anti-Spyware

Now with the best browser, an anti-virus, and two firewalls your thinking I'm safe right? Wrong. There are programs on the internet that attach spyware, which can kill even the best computer out there. Fear not, for the killer tools are a click away. Take your pick: Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition, Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3, and Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta) (formally Giant AntiSpyware). Each one is free and will protect your computer as well as any paid software outthere. Each one is award winning and will do a good job of nuking the baddies. I personally use Ad-Aware SE Professional Edition, and it is good. I also run MS AntiSpyware once in a while to catch something. For the daring, try HijackThis 1.98, a spyware removal tool that will kill everything in its sight, even the good ones. With this in your arsenal, the internet should take cover.

Links:
Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition
Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3
Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta)
HijackThis 1.98

Remember the main things:

1. Update regularly: Updates always come with fixes and patches which protect you even more. For Windows users, this is a must!
2. Be cautious: Check and check again. Safe is better than sorry.
3. Check for Viruses and Spyware once a week.
4. Enjoy the internet.

I hope this was useful to you, the reader. As this is the first "article" I have written, I could have left something out. Feel free to comment and share your tips with the rest of the community, everyone is welcomed. Have a nice day everyone.

techferret out.