1)       No Antivirus/Antispyware Software: Yes, believe it or not...there are still many people who don't run antivirus software on their workstations. And of the ones that do, only half of them keep their software and virus definitions up to date. Most anti-malware/antivirus software is sold on an annual basis, requiring the purchase of a new license each year. Even if you had an active antivirus program, if your license expired, you are  not protected from any newly created viruses/malware that attack your system with signatures created beyond your date of coverage.

2)       No Firewall Installed: While some businesses think an antivirus program is all they need, this is a major mistake. A firewall acts as a filter to protect your computer from malware and intruders. Firewalls can be software or hardware based. Regardless which form of firewall you choose to use for your business, it's imperative that your firewall is continually managed and/or updated. Some highly sophisticated and well managed firewalls can even protect you from malware that will extract and transfer data files from your computer without your knowledge or permission.

3)       No Email Spam Filter: Email spam is a huge culprit in the spreading of malicious software. It is imperative to have a good spam blocking program. Some email packages have built-in blocking features, but not all spam filters are 100% effective. It is important to follow these rules of thumb:

• Don't open emails or attachments from people you don't know
• Never download an attached file from an unexpected email
• Never click "unsubscribe" on an email you suspect to be spam or junk mail
• Never click on a link with a suspected spam email - just delete the message immediately