About

•  It's important to use the internet safely. At best your privacy is at stake, at worst your finances
• Use a password which is not obvious and includes numbers
• Consider using browsers other than Internet Explorer this makes you a less likely target, for example try Firefox, its free
• Ensure your operating system is up-to-date with all the necessary patches. These plug security vulnerabilities
• Safeguard your information & privacy. Allow per session Cookies only
• Have a good firewall, hardware firewalls tend to be the best. Any firewall is better than none list of links to good free ones
• Anti Virus software is a must have - the free ones are as good if not better than most available on subscription 
• Spyware is a serious threat that most anti virus software addresses poorly. Ad-aware, spybot & spyblaster are tried & tested
• Ensure thatyour security software is up to date
• Backup your valuable data on a regular basis

Links

Computer threats

Secunia Advisories

Advises on problems with operating systems, and current virus threats

Antivirus - Free

AntiVir

Very fast & efficient, works across network, uses little memory 

AVG Anti-Virus

Slower but more comprehensive than AntiVir, does not work across network, memory intensive

Anti Malware - Free

Lavasoft Ad-aware

Removes malware

Javacool Software Spywareblaster

Prevents known bad Activex software from infecting your PC

Spybot-S&D

Removes & protects against malware

Firewall's - Free

Zone Alarm

Powerful free firewall

Firewall Tester

LeakTest

See if your firewall is working

A better browser? - Free

Mozilla Firefox

An alternative to Internet Explorer, fast & secure