• Enable a firewall on your computer.
• Get the latest computer updates.
• Use up-to-date antivirus software.
• Use strong passwords.

Enable a firewall on your computer

1. Click Start, and click Control Panel.
2. Click Network and Internet Connections, and click Network Connections. If you do not see Network and Internet Connections, click Switch to Category View.
3. Highlight a connection that you want to help protect, and click Change settings of this connection.
4. Click Advanced, and select Protect my computer and network by limiting or preventing access to this computer from the Internet.
5. Click OK.

Get the latest computer updates

1. Click Start, and click Control Panel. 
2. Click Performance and Maintenance. If you do not see Performance and Maintenance, click Switch to Category View.
3. Click System.
4. Click Automatic Updates, and select Keep my computer up to date.
5. Select a setting. Microsoft recommends selecting Automatically download the updates, and install them on the schedule that I specify and setting a regular update time.
6. If you choose to have Automatic Updates notify you in step 5, you will see a notification balloon when new downloads are available to install. Click the notification balloon to review and install updates.

Use up-to-date antivirus software

Use strong passwords