Password protection

If you are using windows 2000 or xp you should use a password for each Windows login name. Also You should change your default administrator login to some thing else. Here is how it's done. In xp make sure you are logged on as administrator. From the start menu go to control panel then user accounts. select an account that doesn't have a password then select create a password.*

You should always keep up with the latest Windows updates from Microsoft.
This will help protect you from hackers and viruses. Here's how to do it in XP.
From the start menu go to the my computer icon. Next click on view system information, then click on automatic updates, finally click on update automatically then apply changes.

Microsoft baseline Analyzer is a tool for Windows 2000 and XP that will scan your computer to make sure you have the latest critical updates. You can download it here.

You must have an anti virus program for your computer. There are several free ones available for windows 9x series and 2000 and XP. Below you will find links to a few of these.
AVAST :There is a retail and free version available.It's an anti virus tool with a e-mail scanner as well .
Trend :scan for virus from this free online service

One of the newest menace on the scene is spy ware. This can come from file sharing programs which they use to support there web site. Spy ware collects information about yourself and surfing habits and makes this information available for companies for solicitation and spam. Some of the nastier one can change your homepage to there site(high jack) and links to your favorites site(This can be embarrassing if they are adult related)
and crash your computer because of poorly written code or swallowing up cpu resources.
Check out the links below to protect yourself.
Add aware (search & kill)
Spybot search and destroy (search & kill)
SpywareBlaster (prevent block)

Browser Updates

Updating your browser can protect you from malicious code. Check the links below.

Internet Explorer
Netscape

You should always have a firewall to protect your computer. A firewall helps prevent unauthorized access to your computer. You are especially vulnerable if you are on a high speed broadband connection. The easiest way is to buy a hard ware firewall router such as the Linksys. Windows Xp has a limited software firewall that you can manually enable.
We recommend zone alarm with its powerful features for more advanced users, you can download the free edition here.

If you want to save money there are free software options. Zone alarm makes an excellent freeware firewall as well as a low cost more advanced one. Windows XP users have one built into the operating system. here's how to activate it. Go to the start menu in Windows XP and right click on "my network places." Select properties from the menu. Right click on your broadband network adapter. Select properties. Click on the advanced tab. Finally put a check mark under internet connection firewall, next to "protect my computer". That's it.

Encryption will scramble your private information and protect it from prying eyes. This software will do the job.
If your running XP pro and are using a windows NT partitions, you can take advantage of its built in encryption. Here's how to do it.

Right click the folder that you want to encrypt and select properties.
Click the advanced tab.
Select the "Encrypt contents."
That's it, your done!

If your not on a network or don't share files over your network, turning of this feature can protect you from being hacked. here how its done.

Windows 2000 or XP users should right-click on Network Neighborhood and choose Properties. Find the network card (labeled Local Area Connection by default), right-click on it, and select Properties. Uncheck File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks.