The first test, "Test My Shields," checks security of your Internet connection itself and how much system and personal information others can obtain without your knowledge.

The second test, "Probe My Ports," attempts to find open ports on your computer and evaluate how and where a hacker could enter.

Both tests will help you spot most common and obvious vulnerabilities most of us face when connected to Internet. Also to its credit (and unlike similar sites), this website doesn't use these tests as a lead-in to try to sell you anything.

Free Anti-Virus Software

Visit www.grisoft.com to download a free anti-virus software package that rivals anything you could buy. The software comes with free updates on virus definitions (critical for up-to-date protection) and will even certify your outgoing email as virus free!

I have used this software myself and, though nothing rates perfect, I have found it rivals products costing $50 or more. If you don't carry virus protection software on your computer, stop this minute and go to www.grisoft.com to download free version now.

With so many resources and advice available for free, no valid excuse exists for not immediately securing your computer against hackers, vandals, viruses and malicious code.

1. If you do not have latest version of anti-viruses installed, go to Symantec?s following page: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.sobig.f@mm.html,

2. Down load Sobig.F removal tool for completely free of charge. 3. Install and run it by strictly following steps described on page.

Suggestion Two: Download latest security patches for your version of Windows and install them.

Suggestion Three: If you are using Microsoft Outlook, follow steps below to stop them appearing in your inbox: - Open Outlook - Click on ?Tools? from main menu - Choose Rules Wizard from drop down menu - On page ?Apply changes to this folder?: Click on ?New? - Select ?Start creating a rule from Templates? - Choose ?Move messages based on content? - Click on ? specific words? link from box at bottom - A small window will appear, add each and every phrase scrupulously from list below: Re: Thank you! Thank you! Your details Re: Details Re: Re: My details Re: Approved Re: Your application Re: Wicked screensaver Re: That movie And your_document.pif document_all.pif thank_you.pif your_details.pif details.pif document_9446.pif application.pif wicked_scr.scr movie0045.pif - Once finished click on ?OK? to close window. - Click on link ?specified? at same box - Open a new folder by clicking on ?New? button under name ?Virus Spam? - Click on ?OK? - Click on ?Finish? - From now on all emails with above mentioned phrases and attachments will be moved to ?Virus Spam? folder. - All you have to do is delete emails, which will appear there. A few more cautions: Don?t open any executable attachment in an email, unless you are hundred percent sure that this is a legitimate file that you have been expecting. Install an anti-virus program and update it on time, at end, this might be best possible solution to protect ourselves from these ugly online creatures!