The Windows Control Panel

If you are not already familiar with the Control Panel, getting to know it now will allow you to manage important security setting on your computer.  You can get to the control panel from the Start Menu.  See the illustration at left to open the Control Panel.  The full Control Panel is shown at the bottom of this page.

There are six icons that control your security settings:

Add/Remove Programs -  Clicking on this icon will bring you to a window that displays all the programs that have been installed on your computer.  Many adware and spyware applications can be removed simply by uninstalling them from this window.  This is also where you can uninstall your anti-virus software prior to making an upgrade to the product.

Automatic Updates - Selecting this applet will bring you to the Automatic Updates window.  You should have either the first or second setting selected.  The first automatically updates on a day and time you select.  This is a good option if you leave your computer on all the time, or it is active at the day and time selected.  The second one will download the updates when they are available, and alert you to install them manually.  this is a good option if your computer is on infrequently.

Internet Options -  This applet will allow you to set or change your home page, and set other Internet Explorer security settings.  You can also delete your Temporary Internet Files, and Cookies from the main tab.

Security Center - This applet will show you the status of your Windows or third party firewall, your Automatic Update settings, and your antivirus software.

User Accounts - This feature allows you to create password protected user accounts for each person using your computer.  Not only does creating Users and Passwords increase your Internet security, it also has the additoional benefit of creating a unique My Documents Folder and e-mail sore for each user.  This way your data and files are not commingled with your spouse's or children's' work.  You also can set up your children to be Restricted Users, which will prevent them from freely downloading software and games that may in fact be spyware.

Windows Firewall - This feature allows you to change settings for your Windows Firewall, should you not be using a third party firewall as part of an Internet Security Suite.  This also allows you to turn off the Windows Firewall if you are using another firewall product.