Ignore These 5 Critical Steps and You Could End Up Failing the CSET

Automatic Updates. Again, click the option to “automatically download the updates and install them on the schedule I specify.”

Now when Microsoft releases updates, they will be downloaded for you automatically and Windows will tell you when they are ready to be installed.

3. Install and Update Antivirus and Anti-Spyware Software

Most new computers come with antivirus software these days. You might have Norton, McAfee, PC-Cillin, Zone Alarm, or another brand. No matter what program you have, you will need to update it when you connect to the Internet.

It doesn’t matter how new your computer is – there will be new viruses, and new updates for the antivirus software, since it was loaded.

The exact process is different for each brand of antivirus program, but most of them will have an icon in the bottom right corner of your desktop, beside the time. The icon might be a picture of a shield (McAfee), a stethoscope (Norton), a big Z (Zone Alarm) etc.

If you point to the icon for your antivirus and click the right mouse button, a menu will pop up with an update option. It could be simply called update or could be something like Live Update or Download Latest Updates. If you click on the update option (with the left button this time) it will install the newest updates for you.

If you’re not sure which icon is for your antivirus software, just point to each one for a few seconds and a little title should pop up telling you what it is.

A few years ago, you had to buy two programs, one an anti-virus and the other an anti-spyware. It was stupid. Thankfully after public outrage, most companies now offer an anti-virus program and a anti-spyware program in one. My favorite is ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite for $49.95 at the time of writing this article. It blocks and removes everything. There are lots of good anti-virus and anti-spyware all-in-one packages you can buy so don’t be afraid to shop. Just make sure that you buy from a company that has a good track record. You should do a BBBonline lookup of the company as well before buying from them.

4. FREE Anti-Virus Software

I do not recommend that you install a FREE anti-virus program. The protection of your