Your PC could be target for net-prowlers as it is a storehouse of information. They look for your personal information details that could be manipulated for their own benefits. If you are storing your credit card and bank account details it could be disastrous as these malicious efforts are intended to break into your security systems gather those information to use your money.

Moreover these imposters are not satisfied only with your money. They are always looking for resources like your high-speed connection (cable and DSL modems), processor and the hard disk space to store their information. It is very difficult to trace the source of intrusion and prosecute them.

These net prowlers are quite aware of the fact that Home PCs are the most unsecured systems to allow them a free trespass. Most of the antivirus kits are not effective enough to scan for spyware and adware, most machines do not have strong firewall protection and most home PC owners never think of buying separate spyware and adware kits. So a home PC is paradise for malware to breed and promulgate their contagion efforts.

Many PC owners are never aware of these facts even much after their PC information is stolen and files infected. Intrusions can take place through emails (send and received), downloading songs, movies, browsing unknown sites, surfing the net indiscriminately and also from known reputable sites which seem to be very unfortunate to users and leaves then perplexed about the issue of security.

Once your computer becomes their ‘cozy nook’ they will create programs run these, install new programs, eat up your hard disk space, corrupt your memory and drive you crazy to locate what is actually going wrong with your machine. You need to develop a special checklist to ensure that your PC is guarded from these spiteful efforts. You need to read more about the kinds of potential threats that can corrupt your machine.

Just as you think of protecting your home by insuring it or installing various safety devices to prevent trespasses even when you are out, your computer demands similar security systems that inaccessible to intruders.

Protect your computer with a strong password that is difficult to guess. Your password is the key to access to your mails and instant messaging servers. Your passwords should be strong enough to make the hackers very unhappy. Change your passwords as soon as possible. If you can’t remember them make a notebook to document these regularly in a hardcopy.

Avoid reading mails from unknown individuals. Always use the servers that are guarded with spam filters are the servers that provide an initial virus screening before sending mails to your inbox like Yahoo, Google etc.

Add strong software and hardware firewalls and always ensure that your firewall is on when your computer is running. A firewall is your security guard that shields and protects your home PC from the files and programs that enters your PC from the net. It controls the acceptance of traffic that is routed from the net. It also controls the programs and allows their connectivity to the net ensuring proper security. There are free as well as commercial firewall products available.

An antivirus program, patches and file encryption and cleaning your registry logs to ensure primary level security are absolutely indispensable. If you are a heavy internet user then installing a malware kit is mandatory. Adaware and Xoftspy (direct download link) are some spyware scanning devices that will ensure this task successfully.