When it comes to securing your PC, be sure to enable a firewall. A firewall is used to prevent unwanted connections being made to your PC. Malware, such a worms, can scan a machine to see if certain ports are open and if so will attempt to access your machine via those open ports.

Windows comes pre-installed with a basic firewall and while you can’t configure it too much, it’s certainly worthwhile making sure that it’s enabled.

Ad-Aware Pro includes a powerful two-way firewall, but if you’re using Ad-Aware Free it’s a good idea to make sure that Windows Firewall is enabled even if you’re behind a router.

Once your firewall has been enabled, you can test your systems firewall defenses with ShieldsUp!!, a free scanning tool available at www.grc.com to check that it is secure.

To enable Windows Firewall:

Windows 8

• Type Firewall at the Start screen and click on Windows Firewall under the Settings results
• Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off on the left panel
• In both the Private and Public network location settings sections:
• Select Turn on Windows Firewall
• Check Notify me when Windows Firewall blocks a new app
• Click OK

 
Windows 7 & Windows Vista

• Click Start -> Run -> Type firewall.cpl into the Run command box
• Click OK
• Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off on the left panel
• In both the Private and Public network location settings sections:
• Select Turn on Windows Firewall
• Check Notify me when Windows Firewall blocks a new app
• Click OK

 
Windows XP

• Click Start -> Run -> Type firewall.cpl into the Run command box
• Click OK
• Set Windows Firewall to On
• Click OK