Security Hardening is a process of adding software and setting up the configuration of your PC to dramatically increase its resistance to malicious code and Internet Hackers. It includes but is not limited to, anti virus programs, firewalls, anti spyware programs and keeping your computer operating system (usually Microsoft Windows) up to date.

Unless you have all the above in place, it is almost certain that you have some form of security compromise on your PC. Typically on my home visits I find viruses, spyware and other malware that is doing one or all of these things:-

• Slowing down the PC (often dramatically)
• Using your PC to send viruses to other users
• Capturing the sites you visit and sending that information elsewhere on the Internet
• popping up unwanted advertising messages
• Dialing premium rate numbers instead of your internet provider
• installing annoying "search bars" into your internet browser window.

My Security hardening service will firstly remove these threats and secondly provide you with a dramatically increased resistance to them in the future.

What do I do to security harden your PC?

Firstly I scan your PC for all known forms of virus and remove any that are found. Secondly I scan your PC for all known spyware and remove any that are found. Thirdly I look at how your PC is configured (for example is it running services you don't need that could expose you to outside threats unnecessarily) Fourthly I recommend and then install on your behalf, free anti virus software, free anti spyware and a free firewall. (home users only, for business users there are some very inexpensive packages that do exactly the same job). Lastly I check that your operating system is as up to date with security fixes as it can be and if possible, I set it up to keep itself up to date.

Buying off the shelf packages from somewhere like PC World to do the same job could cost you up to £45 (for a year) and in addition, would you be sure you had them set up properly to protect your system?