Internet Security Solutions??????

Prior to looking at some of the many paid options available for home computer internet security, it is important to realize that as a home computer user, there are a number of very important basic steps you need to understand and utilize as part of your own internet security solutions. Some of the steps listed below may require a paid internet security software, however a number of the steps are simply "common sense" tips that far to many computer users seem to ignore or forget about doing on a regular basis.

1. Utilize a Firewall to help protect your computer from incoming internet-based security threats.
2. Run an up-to-date virus scan daily to identify and neutralize harmful viruses that may have penetrated your firewall software program. The key here is to ensure that your virus scanner is kept up-to-date so as to effectively deal with the latest types of viruses being sent through the internet.
3. Destroy Spyware that may have infested your computer without your knowledge and may be stealing personal information as well as affecting the overall performance of your computer system.
4. Keep all security software up-to date to ensure that it can effectively do its job of protecting your computer. Many computer internet security programs come with regular updates or patches that you must either manually download or enable the automatic update feature to work. Don't forget to keep your computer operating system (i.e. Windows) up-to-date as well by downloading and installing all recommended patches and updates as these often contain security updates.
5. Ignorance is no excuse and will not help to protect your computer, so you must be proactive and learn about the threats out there, how to deal with them, and things you should never do such as opening attachments from e-mail contacts you do not know.  This also includes being careful to use secure internet connections and keeping your passwords safe when surfing the web from public computer sites such as those found in Internet cafes, hotel rooms, etc. .
6. Protect your computer not only from theft, (laptops especially), but as well from unauthorized access by friends and family who may accidentally download a virus, install "free" software that may contain a virus, spyware or adware, or open an infected e-mail.  In many families where the access to one home computer is shared between a number of family members, a perhaps even friends, this can be a major source of computer internet security problems.

Making the above steps part of your on-going home computer internet security solutions will go a long way in keeping you safe and secure in your internet surfing. This certainly does not imply that you do not need to install a good quality internet security software on your computer. With all the different products out there, how does one decide which is the best internet security product to buy?