Keep your antivirus up to date.
All antivirus programs require weekly updates to keep up to date with current viruses.  A majority of the software you can purchase is licensed for 1 year of updates. Make sure your installed program is current and up to date.

Do not share files on your hard drive that you wouldn’t want ANYONE to have access to.
For those who share files between computers on their home networks there is an added risk. When you take your laptop and connect to any other network outside of the home those shared files and folders are still shared. If you have the need to share files at home, create a folder that you move files into when people need them and then move those files back out of the folder when the use is complete.

HTTPS:// is your friend.
When using the internet for any information that could be sensitive, ensure that the website begins with HTTPS://.  The S in HTTPS means that it is secure. Any info that is transferred to and from these websites is encrypted on a very high level.

Never connect to an AD-HOC wireless network.
When you go to a public hotspot, like a coffee shop, or a hotel and you go to connect to a wireless network, more often than not there are several networks you can connect to. Some of those networks could be a hacker broadcasting the internet from their laptop, which they use to capture all information that you see. Instant messages, websites, and even passwords are available to the malicious hacker. The “icon” for the networks are very different, (see below).

Many hackers will name these networks attractively like: “FREE WIFI” or “FREE INTERNET.” Make sure that you know what wireless access points you are connecting to, and that will keep you safe.

Windows Vista Wireless Networking Icon	Windows Vista AdHoc Networking Icon	Windows XP Wireless Networking Icon	Windows XP AdHoc Networking Icon
(Good)	(Bad)	(Good)	(Bad)