Malicious software or malware includes trojans, viruses, worms, and virtually all spyware.  These types of software programs are quickly becoming the most talked about problem with the internet. Get ahead of everyone else and protect your PC by following these 5 easy steps.

Step 1. Update Windows

The first step to protecting your PC is to update windows.  New updates are released every month with critical updates released sooner.  Malicious programmers write software to take advantage of computers that do not have the latest updates installed on their PC.  Make their job a lot harder by updating Windows XP regularly.  You can do this by going to Start>Control Panel>Windows Update, or you can point your browser to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.

You can automate the process by enabling the auto update feature.  Right Click on My Computer and select Properties.  Select the Automatic Update tab and choose the schedule that is right for you. 

Step 2. Install an anti-virus program

The second step to protected your pc is to have some type of anti-virus software installed on your computer.  If you own a computer, you are probably familiar with some type of virus program.  My favorite, mostly because it is free, is Grisoft's AVG.  Head on over to www.grisoft.com to download your free copy.  The most important thing to remember about anit-virus software is that you have to keep it updated.  An anti-virus program can only find a virus if it has been programmed to recognize it.  Updating regularly will insure that this happens.

If you are not happy with the free AVG anti-virus software, you can check out Microsoft's Antivirus Partners to give you a few more choices.  Be aware though that not all of these programs are free.

Step 3. Install a spyware removal program

LavaSoft Ad-Aware

Spybot Search & Destroy

Step 4. Use a Firewall