Step 2 - System Updates
Occasionally Microsoft will release updates that enhance or protect the Windows Operating System.  If you use Windows 2000, XP or ME the Operating System can be set to download these updates automatically and prompt you for permission to install them. Installing these updates is very important to reduce the likelihood of attack. Before setting this automatic update, manually download all available updates from here if you do not have English set as your language go here
Once you are up to date set your computer to automatically check and download updates as per the following instructions:
Windows 2000.  Click  on the Start button select Settings and then Control Panel. Click on the Automatic Updates icon. Tick (check) the box labelled Keep my computer up to date.  In Settings, choose Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed.
Windows XP. Right click the My Computer icon and then click Properties with the left-hand mouse button. In System Properties click on the tab labelled Automatic Updates, Tick (check) the box labelled Keep my computer up to date.  In Settings, choose Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed.
Windows ME.  Click on the Start button, select Settings and then Control Panel. Click on the Automatic Updates icon. Tick (check) the box labelled Keep my computer up to date.  In Settings, choose Download the updates automatically and notify me when they are ready to be installed.
Keep an eye open for the windows update icon in the bottom right hand corner of the desktop, when it appears install the updates as soon as possible.

Step 3 - Security Suite
There are various security packages on the market that combine a personal firewall, anti-virus and net nanny into a single product, though they are often fairly expensive and the subscription will often only last 12 months.  If cost is an issue, It is worth trying "free for homeuse" products that are often feature reduced variants of their commercially available equivalents. 

Step 4 - Free Personal Firewall
A personal firewall protects the host from attack at varying levels, some will block unauthorised network connections from either entering or leaving the computer, others will prevent another attack called "buffer overflows" some will combine these features. It is recommended that these products are used on home computers and should be regularly checked for updates and erroneous misconfigurations. ZoneAlarm is the current most popular choice and is very well complemented with Prevx overlaps the ZoneAlarm protection with some other very nice features.  If you use Windows XP, it is suggested that you upgrade to Service Pack 2 which includes a personal firewall.

Step 5 - Free Anti-Virus
It is very important that you not only have an anti-virus product installed but that it is configured correctly and updated regularly.  There are various commercial offerings that offer good value for money.  However, there are also some very good anti-virus products available to the home user for free.  We recommend the use of Avast or AVG. If you are working from home it may be worth asking your company system administration team if the Anti-Virus Vendor used at work offers free home use of their product.  If not suggest that the system administrator investigate the issue the next time the Anti-Virus contract is renewed. Many Vendors offer this as a matter of course. Upgrading to Service Pack 2 on XP brings with it offers from a variety of Anti-Virus vendors for free subscription of up to 12 months. 

Step 6 - Free Net Nanny
If you have children you will understand the concerns over unrestricted Internet access, a Net Nanny restricts your child's access to certain pages which are known to be inappropriate for various ages.  We-Blocker is the only free tool that we have come across that doesn't base it's restrictions solely on keywords.  I'd also recommend a Net Nanny for businesses, charities and even for the elderly who may be offended by the explicit content held on some web pages.  We-Blocker does work well on Windows XP though there is a fix on the We-Blocker website

Step 7 - Free SpyWare Removal Tool
In general, spyware is any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. On the Internet, spyware is programming that is put in someone's computer to secretly gather information about the user and relay it to advertisers or other interested parties. Spyware can get in a computer as a software virus or as the result of installing a new program. Anti-Virus products rarely detect Spyware but there are detectors that will, Ad-aware is a free product that will search a home users computer for Spyware and report items found. It should be noted that deleting cookies may adversely effect your browsing pleasure.