Teachers using technology are generally pretty savvy when it comes to using a computer. But when it comes to protecting their computer from viruses, worms, and other forms of malware, there seems to be a tendency to accept whatever security software comes preinstalled on your machine. Will that suffice? It may, if the software is updated regularly. But depending on the software manufacturer, you may not be as well protected as you think.

At the bare minimum, PC users need an antivirus program, a firewall, and some sort of anti-spyware program. Some are free, and some you must pay for. Generally, all-in-one software security suites belong in the latter category. You can browse through security software applications and download free trials at sites including CNET’s download.com and softpedia.com. Both of these sites also provide both user and editor ratings and reviews. For more extensive, objective reviews, I would highly recommend Matousec.com for firewall tests and AV-comparatives for antivirus program tests.

Once you download and install a highly-rated program from each of the three categories above (Caution: make SURE to uninstall your existing antivirus and firewall programs before installing new ones), now it is time to check your computer’s actual vulnerability to Internet threats. I cannot overstate the importance of this step.

Three of my favorite test sites are Yahoo Security Center, GRC’s Shields Up, and PCFlank. Each of these sites will profile your computer for vulnerabilities and give you a detailed report of the results. Your goal is to achieve a perfect “stealth” rating.

This is not too difficult to obtain when surfing the Web from home. But when using Wi-Fi at a hotel or Internet café, the general lack of a secure connection makes it almost impossible. When in doubt, run a profiling test before making any online purchases or checking your bank balances. The results can be eye opening – you may very well have one or more open ports just waiting for a hacker to exploit!