Tip 3 in an occasional series. Keep visiting regularly for more Windows Security Tips.

Properly installed, correctly setup, and regularly updated Anti-Virus protection can help to catch viruses, worms and malware before they become a problem. As always, you cannot afford to view Anti-Virus software as a panacea, but it is another useful tool in your defensive arsenal.

Viruses and their ilk can be transmitted in a number of different ways and knowing that they are present and working as another level of security, continually scanning your computer for suspicious looking activity, provides wonderful piece of mind.

Keeping your software updated is absolutely essential: new viruses are being ‘released’ on a daily basis and your Anti-Virus software will try and keep up with the constant onslaught. If you don’t update your software then your software may be impotent. Updating is such a simple process - indeed normally it can be quickly automated and then forgotten about - that there’s no excuse for not doing it.