Install antivirus software Install antispyware software Protect your computer with a firewall Install the latest windows updates Update computer programs Protect wireless networks with encryption

Protect your computer

Take steps to ensure that your computers are safe.

Install antivirus software

There are three types of infections:

Viruses

Worms

Trojan horses

Maintaining up to date antivirus (or AV) software is essential for the security of your computer. Antivirus software protects computers by scanning files and email for infections. The software can also scan computers to detect existing infections. While not a guarantee, up to date antivirus software greatly increases the chances of protecting computers from infection as well as removing anything that may already exist.

AV software must be kept current to be effective. New infections appear on the Internet daily.

We recommend setting up automatic updates and periodic system scans. Most antivirus software has settings for automatic updates. Computer users can also schedule regular scans with the software.

Install Antispyware

Spyware, also called adware, is software installed without your knowledge that gathers information about you and reports it to whoever controls the spyware. This information can include (but is not limited to) your Internet browsing usage, passwords, email addresses, computer configuration, and possibly your name, age, sex, and other personal information. In addition, spyware can be used to generate pop-up ads which, in addition to being annoying, can bog down the system resources of your computer and cause poor performance.

Antispyware software must be kept current to be effective. New infections appear on the Internet daily.

We recommend setting up automatic updates and periodic system scans. Most antispyware software has settings for automatic updates. Computer users can also schedule regular scans with the software.

Install a firewall

A firewall acts as a barrier between your computer and the Internet. It stops unwanted data requests to your computer and permits legitimate requests. Compare it your home's front door. If you didn't have a front door, intruders could come and go as they pleased, stealing and damaging your property. A firewall becomes the door keeper to your home network.

Firewalls allow you to come and go on the Internet as you want but keep others out.

Most unwanted activity can be in the form of port scans which are attempts to find and exploit vulnerabilities on your computer.

Exploits can be used to infect your computer with a virus, access files, steal information, corrupt the computer, or turn your computer into a relay to hide hacker activity.

Microsoft has compiled an extensive firewall FAQ: http://www.microsoft.com/protect/computer/firewall/faq.mspx.

Download and Install the Latest Windows Updates

Windows Updates are important for protecting your computer against the latest security threats. If you use Windows Internet Explorer, download all critical security updates and service packs from Windows Updates. Learn more about Windows Updates and why they are important by viewing Microsoft's FAQ. You can even set Windows up to automatically download and install these updates.

Update Computer Programs

Outdated programs on your computer leave your system vulnerable to attack. Software update tools will scan your computer to see which installed programs have available updates. It is good practice to protect your system by keeping all of your computer programs up-to-date.

Wireless security

Wireless security is a way of protecting your wireless network connection from unauthorized users. Wireless devices will scan for available networks to connect to within range. This range varies because of equipment up to 500 feet. That means neighbors (especially in an apartment or dorm situation) within range can connect to your internet service if you do not protect your network.

You are responsible for any activity on your Road Runner account even if you are not the source of the activity.  For example, if a neighbor connects to your unsecured wireless network and downloads or distributes copyrighted materials (movies or music), you are responsible for his activity.  Unauthorized users connecting through your unsecured network can also infect computers with viruses or Trojans.  If this activity is discovered, it can be traced back to you as the owner of the account.

Disclaimer: These tools have been provided for your convenience as a courtesy of the owner free of charge to the public for personal use only. All rights have been reserved by the producer of the software. Bright House Networks, Road Runner, and the software owner assumes no responsibility or liability for their use. Also, we do not offer technical support for these tools, but it can be obtained from the software owner. The products are offered by the software owner to be used free of charge and "as is" with no warranty, and no guarantee of success in preventing malicious software (malware) of any type from entering your computer, or in trying to remove it. However, Bright House Networks security departments have been able to use these tools with some success. We wanted to make you aware of their existence to provide you with additional options in the fight against malware.