The Internet offers a tremendous opportunity to build a business on a small budget. I started mine on a shoestring, nay, a half of a shoestring, and to this day haven't spent a penny on advertising - but my business is doing quite well thank you.

However, there are areas where it doesn't pay to scrimp. Not having antivirus software and taking other precautionary measures can stop your business and computing life dead in it tracks. Your computer could be rendered useless, your data could be destroyed, or sensitive information about you or your customers could be sent to strangers if you have a virus or backdoor program make it's way into your computer system.

Recent polls have shown that up to 51% of Internet users don't have antivirus protection. One poll revealed that 33% of the respondents didn't have antivirus software, and of the 67% that did, 27% of them hadn't updated it in over three months. That adds up to 60% that have inadequate or no protection, so it stands to reason many of you reading this are in that group.

This is a recipe for disaster.

Here are the seven steps you should take immediately to give your business and/or computing life a chance to proceed unimpeded by computer viruses and hackers.

1. Get a good antivirus software program. There are several good ones on the market you can find by searching. Here are just a few of the more popular ones:

Inoculate It: http://antivirus.cai.com
Norton Antivirus: http://www.symantec.com
F-Secure: http://www.f-secure.com

For a larger list, see:
http://www.hitchhikers.net/html/sgp8.shtml

My personal preference is Norton Antivirus. [Note: This site usually has a bargain on Norton Antivirus. It's an older version but the program updates itself online. You MAY remove this note and link if you publish this article.]

2. Update your anti-virus definitions regularly. New viruses appear every day, not all are effective and become widespread, but don't take chances on out-of-date definitions. I update mine weekly. Most antivirus software vendors will give you free updates for a time, then charge a small, but well worth it, yearly subscription fee.

3. If you're installing anti-virus software for the first time, let it scan your entire system to be sure you're off to a clean start. You could have a hidden virus you don't yet know about. Run an entire system scan once a week. Most programs can be set to do this for you automatically.

4. Be suspicious of any and all unsolicited e-mail attachments, even if they're from trusted friends or family. Many viruses are spread by sending copies of themselves from infected machines to everyone in the owners address book. The messages can be very deceptive in their effort to trick you into opening the infected attachment. Once opened, your system is infected.

5. Stay informed about viruses. There are several good resources to keep you on top of the situation. I recommend picking out a favorite site or two and visit them once a week. You can search and find many, but here are a few of my favorites:

http://www.datafellows.com/news/vir-news/
http://www.europe.f-secure.com/virus-info/virus-news/
http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/index.html
http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACVirusDatabase.html

6. Being on top of viruses is obviously good practice, but staying on top of virus hoaxes is also good. You don't look very professional if you send out false alarms. Some of my favorite hoax sites:

http://vmyths.com/
http://www.snopes.com
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/
http://www.stiller.com/hoaxes.htm

7. Backdoor programs are small software programs that are usually installed without your knowledge. Most good antivirus programs will detect backdoor programs such as Back Orifice. But there is one more step you can take. Installing a personal fire wall serves as an additional layer of protection.

A firewall is a barrier between your computer and the Internet. It intercepts incoming and outgoing data transmissions on your behalf. Once set up, you won't usual notice it's working, unless there's an alarm.

Firewalls can be software or hardware. The software versions are more affordable, although some people feel the protection isn't quite as good as a hardware firewall. I think a software firewall will suit most people fine. Here are a few software firewall programs.

Zone Alarm: http://www.zonelabs.com/
Black Ice Defender: http://www.networkice.com/index.html
Tiny Personal Firewall: http://www.tinysoftware.com/pwall.php
ConCeal Personal Firewall: http://www.candc1.com/conseal/

8. Wait, the title says Seven Steps to Protection, so why is there a number eight? Bonus! I'm not affiliated with nor do I receive any recompense from any of the above listed companies or web sites.

My eighth suggestion I do have an interest in, so I didn't count it in the original steps. You can subscribe to my own Virus and Hoax Alert and receive emails when I learn of new viruses or hoaxes that are spreading rapidly. I don't cover everything, many would be a waste of your time, but I try to nail down the ones most likely to find you or that have a high damage payload. Subscribe by sending an email to:

VirusHoaxAlert-subscribe@topica.com

By following the above steps you stand a much greater chance of success in preventing your computer from invasion by viruses or hackers.