Home office security checklist

Update your software. Regular software updates are essential to keep your home office computer or your home office network as secure as possible. With Microsoft Update you can download critical security software updates for both Windows and Microsoft Office programs, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. To learn more, read Use Microsoft Update to help keep your computer current.

Use an Internet firewall. An Internet firewall helps screen out hackers, viruses, and worms before they reach your home office computer or network from the Internet. If you use Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), you already have a firewall that is turned on by default. If you don't use Windows XP, you can download firewall software to try out or purchase from our Downloads and trials page. For more information, see Internet firewalls: Frequently asked questions.

Use antivirus software. Computer viruses can have serious effects on your business. They can slow down your work, destroy important documents, and more. You can help protect your home office by using antivirus software and keeping it current. If you don't already have antivirus software installed on your computer, several choices are available for trial or purchase on the Downloads and trials page.

Use antispyware software. Spyware can steal valuable information from your computer, take control of your Internet browser, or interfere with your work by sending you large numbers of advertisements. Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta), the newest version of antispyware software from Microsoft, uses real-time security features to help you detect and remove spyware and other unwanted software. Download it now at no charge from the Microsoft Download Center. For more tips on how to help protect your home office from spyware, see 5 tips for spurning spyware and browser hijackers.

Be careful with e-mail and instant messages (IM). As a home office worker, you rely heavily on e-mail and IM. Even if a message appears to come from someone you know, a file attached to an e-mail message or IM could contain a virus, so be sure to contact the sender by some other means to gain added assurance that the attachment is valid. Also, never reveal personal or financial information in a response to an e-mail request, no matter who appears to have sent it—your home office may be the target of a phishing scam. To learn more, see Help prevent identity theft from phishing scams and What is spear phishing?

Back up your computer. Data backup should be as much a priority in your home office as it is in a large corporation. Create and maintain a backup schedule so that you don't lose important files. For more information, see Backup basics. For additional tips on backing up for small businesses, see Are you still not backing up your data?

Use strong passwords and change them often. In your home office, your passwords are the keys to unlocking all the financial and private information of your business. Strong passwords give you better security against intrusion by hackers and thieves. To learn how to create strong passwords that you can remember, read Strong passwords: how to create and use them. You can also use strong passwords to help protect files on certain Microsoft Office programs, such as Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Word.

Don't let children use your business computer without your supervision. Ideally, you should not allow your children to use your home office computer. If your computer needs to serve both your business and family, be sure to supervise your children whenever they use it. Teach older children not to download programs or open e-mail attachments without your permission, because they might contain spyware or viruses. For additional tips, see Spyware and your kids.