There are many different dangers online that we need to be aware of, and that we need to install tools to protect us from. Viruses, worms and other such applications can be harmful to our computers. They can make our computers non-operational, and can cause us great headaches. We need to install anti-virus applications, and keep them updated, to ensure that we protect ourselves from viruses and worms. If you are looking for a good, free anti-virus product, take a look at AVG Free (http://free.avg.com/us-en/download-free-antivirus).
There are applications and websites that track our web surfing habits. Some of these are not bad – they remember what we ordered so they can offer us similar items the next time we come to their site. Others use the information to try and steal our identities or hack into our bank accounts. We should install some type of anti-spyware application to protect us from those such applications and websites. This also needs to be kept up-to-date. If you computer starts to slow down, or you notice that it takes longer to start up than it used to, run an anti-spyware scan and see if you have spyware running in the background. If you are looking for a good, free anti-spyware product, take a look at Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html).
A content filter protects us from inappropriate content that is prolific on the Internet. It has been reported that as many as 90% of youth that are simply using the Internet for homework have inadvertently been exposed to pornography. A content filter prevents this inadvertent exposure, and makes it more difficult to actually seek out this material as well. Content filters can also provide a way for parents to have more control over exactly what type of content is allowed in your home – in addition to blocking pornography, it can also be configured to block hate sites, descriptions of violence and bullying, alcohol related sites, etc. Using a content filter, a family can determine what their standards will be with regard to content from the Internet which is allowed in their home.
All three of these security applications are needed in order to fully protect your computers from the dangers of the Internet: Anti-virus, anti-spyware and content filter. This site will provide more information on how to select the right content filter for your home.