If you use a Mac, just forget about this post. If you are running a Windows platform, read on, this could possibly save you alot of trouble in the future.

I recently was getting very bad download and upload speeds, after several heated discussions with my ISP, they informed me that I had probably been hacked. Hacking is a general term used to describe someone abusing a computer system that is not their own. Let me clarify.

Recent studies have shown that 70-80% of people running a Windows platform are infected with some kind of virus, bot, spammer, pop-up, and generally illegal programs running on your computer, and I would estimate at least half of those people have no idea they have been hacked (I had no clue as to how much crap I had on my computer, and I consider myself a knowledgable user)

Even using a Windows XP Firewall, with a router does not make you safe, especially with viruses such as the Sasser worm which is not detectable, and can gain access to your computer via webpages without anyone knowing.

Their are currently several things you can do to scan your computer, and protect yourself in the future, I will outline these important steps and give links to these very useful FREE programs.

1.) Even using Norton, or Mcaffee, or watever your virus needs may be, is still not enough to keep you safe, I highly recommend a deep clean of your system via this website www.trendmicro.com I caught a Trojan virus that Norton did not catch, mainly because viruses these days are so advanced that they can shutdown any Anti-virus software before entering your computer. This is what happened in my case.

2.) If you don't already have AdAware, GET IT!!. This program working in unison with Spybot is almost a 80% guarantee that will keep you spyware free. Make sure you update the definitions before you run this program.

3.) If you don't already have SpyBot Search & Destroy GET IT!! I have yet to see ANYONES computer NOT have any malicious programs on their machine. Before you run the scan, make sure you follow the windows prompt, and make sure you update Spybot before you Run the scan. After it is done scanning hit "Fix" when its done. You are one step closer to a faster running computer, and in the process stopping thieves from gaining personal information about you.

4.) And finally, our most precious free program of all, Zonealarm. This program is our last step in securing your computer from ALL the malicous code out their. This program may seem confusing, it may block your mail server until you figure out how to undo it, but in the end its all worth it. I have had over 12 potential port scans to my computer in the last 24hours, Zonealarm caught them all, and gave me their IP address, and what port they were trying to acces. I very highly recommend using this program at all times, this in unison with Anti Virus software and Spybot and Adaware, will give you the freedom to surf your way happily through our now infested World Wide Web.

Also upon my frustrating 5 hour long fix yesterday to get my machine back up to par, I stumbled across a very knowledgable and friendly forum much like ours, but for people needing help fixing their computers themselves. Visit pcpitstop.ibforums.com/index.php?act=idx if you ever have any kind of technical answers you need right away, the members and moderators are friendly, and VERY knowledgable. Also their is a program out called "Hijackthis" and it runs a log on your computer to check for viruses and spyware, which you can then post in the above mentioned forums and their team of experienced techs can help you out, if you feel that the above mentioned programs have not helped you enough, you might consider this option: pcpitstop.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=36065

Don't wait until your computer is slugging along, don't wait until your home page now glorifies the back end of some famous porn star. Get these programs, run them regularly (at least once a month) and update them regularly and you too can be virus free.