Updates
It is very unfortunate that out there, in the computer world there are many viruses, adware, spyware, software conflicts and bugs that come along and ruin what was a perfectly good relationship between you and your PC. It has come to a point now that if you run a Microsoft Operating System and you are connected to the internet it is vital that you have security software. You must also make sure that you run updates for that software regularly.
Security & Privacy
Click here for Microsoft's Security & Privacy page. This site is packed full of advice and downloads that cover issues from preventing hackers getting onto your computer to protecting your kids while they surf the internet.
Viruses
Click here for Symantec's security response page. This site will keep you up to date with all the latest threats from viruses that may infect your computer. It also has downloads and instructions to disinfect your computer if it already has a virus.
Spy/Adware
Click here for Webroot's anti-spyware home page. This site sells software that finds and then disposes Spyware and Adware. It then runs in the background preventing possible future downloads of spy/adware. There is also a program on my homepage (bottom left) that you can run to scan for spyware that might be sitting on your system at the moment.
Firewall
It is also a good idea to have a firewall on your system to stop unwanted computers visiting your PC and having a poke around or sending you messages. A good idea is to download the latest service pack for your operating system.
Diallers
Many people have contacted me saying that their phone bill was high because their PC had been dialling a premium rate number without their knowledge. Software known as 'Diallers' have been installed onto their system and run unknowingly and usually the first they know of it is when they see their phone bill. To avoid this check your connections and make sure that the only dial-up connection you have is your ISP, also check for shortcuts on the desktop. For Broadband users the best idea is to make sure your old dial-up modem is now longer connected to your phone line, you don't need it anymore and if its not connected no software can dial out!
Spam
Spam (a word derived from a Monty Python sketch) are junk emails that find their way to your inbox. Many ISP's now have filters in their mailboxes to stop them coming through so its a good idea to check with your ISP to make sure your filter is switched on or that you have gone into your mail control panel and had a look at your filter settings. Another good idea is to set up a web mail account like hotmail and enter that address when your filling in online forms for competitions or surveys. Then just check your web mail occasionally to see if there's anything interesting amongst all the advertising mail they've sent you.
Phishing
Phishing (also known as spoofing or carding) is a term created by people known as crackers who would attempt to 'fish' for information. They fraudulently acquire your sensitive information by masquerading as your bank or online shop in an email and ask you to enter details such as financial information and passwords. If you do receive emails from people like eBay or your bank, it is advisable to just ignore them. If your bank wanted you to update or change any details they would not ask you via a link on an email.
Hardware protection
I have been to many homes in the past to fix computers and on many occasion I have noticed that quite a few of them are not plugged in to surge protected sockets. These sockets can be bought in many computer, general hardware shops or DIY stores. They will protect the PC from any power surge, for example a lightning strike or a main board trip, which would otherwise render your very sensitive circuit boards inside your PC useless.
Sudden power loss could also be fatal for your PC. One way of making sure this doesn't happen is to plug your PC into a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) They can cost from £30 upwards and are basically a battery that will give you enough time to back up your work and shut down your PC correctly.
Other ways of protecting your hardware are to make sure you shut your PC down correctly and to make sure your PC is not over heating.
Drivers
If you do need a driver for a piece of hardware it is always a good idea to go to the manufactures website for the latest version. You'll usually find them on  their support/downloads section. Click here for Driver Guides website. This site is full of drivers submitted by users and hardware manufactures.
Backup
It is always a good idea to backup your files. One of the easiest ways of backing them up is to make sure you keep them all in one place (usually in a folder called 'My Documents'), and write them onto a blank CD or DVD. If you haven't backed up your files for a while, back them up now!