11 steps to secure your pc →

1.Choose an operating system based on itssecurityand vulnerability (Linuxhas no known active viruses in the wild, OpenBSD is focused on security). Find out if it uses limited user accounts, file permissions and is regularly updated. Make sure you update your operating system with security updates and update your other software too.

2.Choose a web browser based on its security and vulnerabilities because most malware will come through via your web browser. Disable scripts too (NoScript, Privoxy and Proxomitron can do this). Look at what independent computer security analysts (such as US-CERT) and crackers (similar to H@ckers) say.

3.When setting up, use strongpasswords in your
user account,router account etc. H@ckers may use dictionary attacks and brute force attacks.

4.Whendownloading software(including antivirus software), get it from a trusted source (softpedia, download, snapfiles, tucows, fileplanet, betanews, sourceforge) or your repository if you are using Linux.

5.Install good antivirus software (particularly if you use P2P). Antivirus software is designed to deal with modern malware including viruses, trojans, keyloggers, rootkits, and worms. Find out if your antivirus offers real-time scanning, on-access or on-demand. Also find out if it is heuristic. Avast and AVG are very good free editions. Choose one, download and install it and scan regularly. Keep your virus definitions up to date by updating regularly.

6.Download and install software to deal with spyware such as Spybot Search and Destroy, HijackThis or Ad-aware and scan regularly. I can’t state this enough – you need to run a good anti spyware and anti malware program like Spybot if you search the web at all. Many websites out thereexploit weaknessesand holes in the security of Microsoft Explorer and will place malicious code on your computer without you knowing about it until its too late!

7.Download and install a firewall. Either ZoneAlarm or Comodo Firewall (Kerio, WinRoute or Linux comes with iptables). If you use a router, this gives an added layer ofsecurityby acting as a hardware firewall.

8.Close all ports. H@ckers use port scanning (Ubuntu Linux has all ports closed by default).

9.Perform Penetration Testing. Start with ping, then run a simple nmap scan.Backtrack Linuxwill also be useful.

10.Consider running intrusion detection software (HIDS) such as ossec, tripwire or rkhunter.

11.Don’t forget to think in terms of physical security (in case of theft/unauthorised access), like setting a BIOS password and preventing access to your machine or its removable devices (USB, CD drive etc.). Don’t use an external hard drive or USB device for important data, these represent anothervulnerability,as they are easier to steal/lose.