What do you do?
1. Make sure you anti-virus software in place, registered and activated. Most new PCs come with some form of anti-virus preinstalled from the manufacturer. If it doesn't have anti-virus software installed take the time to research the various AV vendors and get it installed. AVG from Grisoft is my personal favorite but anti-virus software is available from TrendMicro, Symantec and a legion of others.
2. Install anti-spyware software. Lavasoft, Windows Defender, Grisoft and many of the other anti-virus providers have anti-spyware software available. Take the time to research what is available and get it installed on your PC.
3. Install a firewall. If you have some flavor of broadband connection this is a necessity not a luxury. The average PC or Server attached directly to the Internet with no protection will last less than 15 minutes before it is compromised. Don't be a statistic. All new Windows based PC systems come with a basic firewall, make sure it is enabled. If there is more than 1 PC in your household you will want to install a hardware firewall at the point of network connection, usually your cable modem, in order to provide firewall protection to all of the PCs.
4. I love wireless connections but they come with their own downside. If you don't have encryption enabled anyone can connect to your network and see what you're doing. Drag out the manual for your wireless connection and learn how to enable encryption in your wireless network so what you do remains private.
5. Make sure your anti-virus product scans the email you receive. Never open attachments to email that you receive from someone you don't know.
6. Install anti-spam software. I use Qurb but there are many good products on the market. While your ISP may provide anti-spam services at the network head spam writers are getting smarter and have found ways around the simple filtering products.
7. Update your PC regularly from the operating system provider.
Following the above 7 tips will go a long way to keep you from being a victim of the online predators and keep your personal information safe.