Home Security Updates Products & Scans Computer Security Security Centers Get Updates Learn More Security update bulletin Bulletin archives Security updates FAQ Products Microsoft Security Essentials Get Windows Defender Get Malicious Software Removal Tool Get Internet Explorer 8 Run remote scan on another computer Help protect your PC with Microsoft Security Essentials Security in Internet Explorer 8 SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8 Security in Internet Explorer 7 Security in Windows Vista Security in Office 2007 Security in Outlook 2003 SP2 Security in Office 2003 PC Safety Scan Malicious Software Removal Tool Need to Know 4 steps to protect your computer What to do about the ATL security vulnerability Firewalls What is a firewall How to choose a firewall Firewalls in versions of Windows Firewalls FAQ Updates Get automatic updates Windows Update overview Microsoft Update overview Check your version of Windows Get Windows XP SP3 Security updates FAQ Windows Update FAQ Viruses What is a computer virus Computer virus symptoms Help prevent computer viruses Remove a computer virus Help prevent rogue security software Help prevent IM viruses Virus protection in versions of Windows Bluetooth Worms What is a computer worm How to prevent computer worms Help prevent the Conficker worm How to remove computer worms Spyware What is spyware Spyware symptoms How to prevent spyware How to remove spyware Spyware protection in versions of Windows Security Response Security Engineering Malware Protection

4 steps to protect your computer

	1. Keep your firewall turned on. Learn about firewalls.
	2. Keep your operating system up-to-date. Learn about operating system updates.
	3. Keep your antivirus software up to date. Learn about antivirus software.
	4. Keep your antispyware technology up to date. Learn about antispyware technology.

About firewalls

A firewall helps protect your computer from hackers who might try to delete information, crash your computer, or even steal your passwords or credit card numbers.

• How to choose a firewall
• Firewalls for your operating system

About operating system updates

High priority updates are critical to the security and reliability of your computer. They offer the latest protection against malicious online activities. Microsoft provides new updates, as necessary, on the second Tuesday of the month.

• How to update your operating system
• Visit Microsoft Update

About antivirus software

Viruses and spyware are two kinds of usually malicious software that you need to protect your computer against. You need antivirus technology to help prevent viruses, and you need to keep it regularly updated.

• How to prevent viruses
• Virus protection for your operating system

About antispyware technology

Viruses and spyware are two kinds of usually malicious software that you need to protect your computer against. You need antispyware technology to help prevent spyware, and you need to keep it regularly updated.

• How to prevent spyware
• Spyware protection for your operating system

---

Was This Information Useful?

Share this page:

Print this page: