Below are five basics security steps that everyone should be following to protect their PCs.

1. Keep Your Antivirus Updated - There are two components to an antivirus system: the engine and the virus signature database. The engine needs to be updated every year so that it recognizes new methods of virus attack. The virus signature database similarly needs to be updated whenever new viruses or variants are discovered which is typically daily. Basically you need to buy antivirus each year or at least purchase maintenance support. The antivirus systems AXICOM recommends is Trend Micro or AVG (which is bundled with our AxiGuard PC maintenance and monitoring service).

2. Install a Firewall - The best protection against any kind of attack is a firewall. A proper firewall will block viruses, spyware, hackers, trojans, keyloggers and other malicious programs from the Internet. A router (Linksys, Netgear, or your DSL router) is NOT a firewall and offer little to no protection. We recommend SonicWall firewalls: prices range in price from $295 for SOHO or home office to over $9995 for large corporate office or school.

For mobile users, you should use the Windows firewall built into the operating system. The Windows firewall offers minimal protection (i.e., doesn't block viruses, spyware or hacker programs) but is better than nothing. Make sure that it's enabled when you are using public wi-fi networks.

3. Install Microsoft security patches - Security patches released by Microsoft typically on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. You can enable the Windows Automatic Update on your PC but it's prudent to check that it's working properly by running a weekly manual Windows Update. Often the automatic updates stop for one reason or another.

(Our AxiGuard service offers white-listed patch deployment which means we test and research the patches before installation to ensure they won't damage your PC. Plus we get alerted if your patches ever get out of date.)

4. Perform Weekly PC Maintenance - Although you may have automated systems that are supposed to update your antivirus and security patches, never rely on them. When a virus infects a PC, the first things it does is disable the antivirus, disable Windows updates, and turn off the firewall. So all these items need to be checked at least on a weekly basis.

• Verify that your antivirus definitions are up to date.
  
• Run a Windows Update to verify that it's working properly.
• Check that your firewall is enabled (Windows firewall) or updating properly (hardware firewall)
  
• Scan your PC for viruses, spyware and other malware.
• Backup your data to an external hard drive or check that your backup service is working properly.
  
• Delete your temp files and Internet cache then defrag your hard drive to increase performance.
  

(Our AxiGuard product continuously monitors your antivirus and Windows updates, scans for spyware and alerts our techs if your security is tampered with. Plus our AxiVault backup service will backup your data and our techs will monitor it for any failure.)

5. Be Careful Where you Browse - Just like you wouldn't wonder about in a bad part of town after dark, you should be very careful where you go on the Internet. Most adult websites, software piracy websites, and file and music sharing websites will infect your PC with malcious programs. It's best to stay on the well beaten path and avoid any website you aren't familiar with. This also means that you need to know where your kids are going on the Internet.