 The next online break-in victim is you.
When it comes to security online, the general idea is that it's complicated, a hassle and well, "it won't happen to me, so why worry."
The truth is, it can and will, happen to you.
What's even scarier, it's probably already happened to you, but you just didn't know it.
Put it this way, you've invested in a pretty secure lock for your front door, maybe even installed an alarm or two to scare off anyone who would even think of breaking into your home. So why is your life on the PC any different ? You have your photos on the PC, your letters, accounting... Just think of what you have scattere around your home that make it your home, chances are they exist online as well since many of us have made our PCs and extension of our lives.
So what does all that lead to ? Microsoft security expert Julie Inman.
She emphasizes, "locking down" your computer, which is very much the same as turning the lock on your front door to prevent unwanted theft and strangers from entering your private and secure domain and causing harm to those you care about. So why not extend the same level of protection with a PC ?
The Director of Internet Safety for Microsoft is also quick to point out that the simple, home truths that we grew up with about being safe in the real world also apply to the virtual world that's growing ever larger around us, such as "never talk to strangers" and don't pass your key or personal information to just anyone.
If you wouldn't do it on the street, why would you do it online ? Makes sense doesn't it ?
As more children go online it's a good idea to have some form of security on the computer, whether off the shelf or from a download.
One option is the Live OneCare Family Safety download that's being tested out right now.
The Beta on the Microsoft website will be rather appealing to parents as it allows you to set and customise the online content that your child can access as well as review the places that were visited.
Those running Windows XP, can also download Live OneCare (free for only 90 days) for 'general housekeeping'.
There are also out-of-the-box solutions, the latest releases being F-Secure and Trend Micro which hit the stores weeks apart from each other.
Trend Micro's Internet Security 2007 released in early November includes Trend Secure and the well-known PC-cillin engine with protection against malware, rootkits, spyware, phishing, spam, hackers, viruses, WiFi attacks, smartphone threats and the growing problem of identity theft.
This includes protection against stolen personal identity not just from cyber theft but also from notebooks or other hardware that's lost or stolen.
Following hot on the heels with its security bundle release was F-Secure. Its Internet Security 2007 offers protection not just for what's out there but also from what could be out there some day, with it DeepGuard technology to monitor zero-day threats to reduce risk and damage.
It also boasts of enhanced technology to include target scanning, real-time scanning and manual system scans for spyware, Web traffic scanning for viruses and the harmful content and variable control applications for families.
Then there's the early mover Symantec’s Norton Internet Security 2007 which earned the prestigious PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award for security suites recently .
It earned praise for its antivirus and antispyware protection, anti-phishing technology, and “silent but lethal” firewall solutions that maximize security, while not compromising performance or ease-of-use.
Of course, those who are waiting for Windows Vista, which is said to be strong on security, will be happy to note that third party security packages should be able to run with little problems.
Microsoft's Jim Allchin, Co-President, Platforms & Services Division has said in an open letter that efforts have gone into re-designing the Windows Security Center dashboard so that it takes a neutral apporach, meaning other security software should not encounter conflicts.
Alternatively, those on Vista can opt to rely on the protection offered by Microsoft developers such as Windows Defender, the integrated anti-malware solution, Kernel Patch Protection (which is not to be confused with a bug fix 'patch') that protects against potentially malicious software known as rootkits and Family Safety Settings. | 
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