You don’t need a personal IT staff or even a geeky family member to help keep your home computer safe from viruses, hackers, and other threats.

Microsoft offers the following free security tools and scans:

·         Microsoft Security Essentials

Downloadable software that helps protect against viruses, spyware, and other malicious software.

·         Windows Live Safety Scanner

Web-based service that gives you quick, on-demand PC health and security scans to help you diagnose and solve problems in Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Also see the Windows Live Safety Scanner for Windows XP.

·         Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool

On Demand service that checks your computer for specific and prevalent strains of malicious software.

·         Microsoft Update

Get updates for your operating system and all of your Microsoft software, including Microsoft Office.