We recommend the following to help in keeping your computer secure:

Windows:    Firewalls    File Sharing    Security Patches    Virus Protection

Macintosh:    Firewalls    File Sharing    Security Patches    Virus Protection

Firewalls
An internet firewall is a tool that may protect your computer from many of today's attacks against your computer. We highly recommend that you enable your built-in Window's firewall The following instructions will show you step by step how to enable a firewall in Windows XP. Only Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 have built-in firewalls at this time. If you are a Windows user and do not have one of these operating systems, you may want to invest in a third party software solution. Norton, and McAfee both make good software firewall solutions. A firewall may prevent some of your applications from working properly if they require connectivity to the internet.

First find the network connections icon. It generally is located in the start menu, either under settings or in the control panel.

Once you have opened the network connections dialogue box, right click on your lan connection as shown below. Click on properties.

Next click on the advanced tab. Finally, click on the Internet Connection Firewall box to enable your own firewall.

File Sharing
Disabling file sharing is an important step you can take to help your computer's performance as well as limit bandwidth usage. We recommend that you disable file sharing in programs such as eDonkey, Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster, Gnutella, etc... We also recommend that you not share your files locally. To stop sharing your folders locally, follow the steps outlined below.

Double click on my computer. Right click on your hard drive icon and click on properties.

Next click on the Do not share this folder button.

Security Patches
We highly recommend that you visit Window's Update regularly for important security patches.

Virus Protection
For the latest virus information and anti-viral software head to the free anti-virus website.

Firewalls
The following instructions will show you step by step how to enable a firewall in OS X. Only Apple's OS 10.0 and above have a built-in firewall. A firewall may prevent some of your applications from working properly if they require connectivity to the internet.

First open your System Preferences. It is the icon that looks like an apple light switch, usually found in your dock. If it is not in your dock it can be found by opening your application folder.

Next, click on the sharing preference icon.

Now click on the firewall tab. Finally, click start. If this button says stop then your firewall is already active, and no further action is necessary.

File Sharing
Disabling file sharing is an important step you can take to help your computer's performance as well as limit bandwidth usage. We recommend that you disable file sharing in programs such as eDonkey, Kazaa, Morpheus, Grokster, Gnutella, etc... We also recommend that you not share your files locally. To stop sharing your folders locally, follow the steps outlined below.

Follow the steps above to open the sharing preference panel, and make sure the services tab is active.

Next, uncheck Personal File Sharing and Windows Sharing.

Security Patches
We highly recommend that you visit Apple Service and Support regularly for important security patches or use the apple update tool that comes with OS X.

Virus Protection
For the latest virus information and anti-viral software head to the free anti-virus website.