Surfing on the Internet can be a major problem if you
don't employ a reasonable amount of protective software.

Hackers, spyware and viruses all combine to make it
essential that you have a firewall, a spyware detector and
an anti-virus program - all up to date and operating on your
system.

1. Safety First - Get Yourself a Firewall Now!

If you don't have a firewall installed and operating on your
computer then you are risking an attack by a hacker!

Without a firewall your computer is like an open door.
Private and confidential information may become available to
hackers with basic computer skills.

Not only could information be stolen but a hacker could
leave your computer in a state where they could return and
take control of it.

A firewall monitors all incoming traffic and only allows in
what you have authorised.

You can even make your computer "invisible" when on the
Internet so hackers are not even aware of your presence!

It's one of the few things all "experts" agree with so go to
http://www.zonelabs.com and get your FREE firewall now...

2. Keep Those Spyware Cookies Off Your Computer!

Most of the cookies you collect while using the Internet are
harmless and just kept on your hard drive in case you
return to the same website again.

A new type of cookie is now accessing your computer and
sending nformation about your activities on the Internet
back to it's originator. These cookies are known
collectively as "Spyware".

So why not get yourself a FREE copy of Lavasoft's Ad-aware
which s a spyware removal utility which will scan your PC
memory, your registry, and hard drive(s) for known spyware
and allow you to remove them.

You can even update the data files so that your protection
is always up to date!

For your FREE copy go to : http://www.lavasoft.nu

3. You Have Got Anti-Virus Protection - Haven't You?

I have assumed that everyone now has some type of anti-virus
software to protect their computers against virus attack.

There have been so many well documented cases which have
caused considerable financial loss both to small and large
companies.

If you still haven't got this protection go to a website
such as http://www.download.com and search for a free
program.There are several programs available - choose one!

You know it makes sense!

With the three types of protection mentioned above you will
be able to surf the Internet, content that you have taken
all reasonable precautions without being paranoid!

Copyright ® 2003 Joe McHenry. All rights reserved. Please
feel free to pass this article on to your friends, or use
it in your ezine or newsletter. To find other tips and
advice visit http://www.tips-for-boomers.com

Author's Bio: 

Joe McHenry is the webmaster of http://www.tips-for-boomers.com where tips and self improvement techniques can be found.