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• A router-based firewall
  
• An anti-malware software suite
  
• A way to stay up-to-date with security patches for both Windows and your applications
  
• A secure browser
  

• Linksys WRT400N: This basic wireless router, modestly priced at around $130, received high marks in a review by CNET. Other sites also lauded the device's easy setup and strong set of basic features. This is a no-frills box, fine for most PC users.
  
  
• D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router (DIR-685): A PC Magazine review gave D-Link's DIR-685 an Editor's Choice award, and the router won high marks from other publications as well. A bit pricey at around $225, this innovative device includes an open bay for an optional 2.5" internal hard drive (if you want network-attached storage) and a 3.2-inch color LCD digital picture frame — making it more than just another ugly black box. (See Figure 1.)
  
  Other DIR-685 highlights include 801.11n wireless and video streaming technology for devices and services such as xBox, iTunes, and BitTorrent. For security, the router offers not only encryption but also the ability to assign encrypted access to guests. Visit the router's product page at D-Link for more information.
  

Figure 1. D-Link Xtreme N Storage Router (DIR-685) includes a digital picture frame to brighten your desk.

Security suites provide adequate protection

Security suites have had a mixed reputation in the past, mostly due to their deleterious effect on PC performance and because some were difficult to uninstall. But these impacts are less of a problem in the latest versions.

The benefit of a security suite for home and small-business users remains the same — one product to purchase, install, and update. A unified interface can also mean the various components are easier to access and configure than they are in a build-it-yourself suite.

Most of today's top-rated suites cost $30 to $70 a year for protecting up to three PCs:

• In a close race, Symantec's Norton Internet Security 2010 wins a plurality of honors as today's top security suite. Norton Antivirus 2010 — a key component in the suite — earned high scores in a recent PC World review, where the editors noted its polished user interface. PC Magazine's review of security suites gave Symantec's product an Editor's Choice award.
  
  The program pairs fine malware detection with a good range of new features such as anti-rootkit tools and behavioral analysis of new threats (which may stop a new malware app before there's a security patch for it). The latest release continues to prove faster and less resource-hungry than previous versions, according to PCMag and other testers.
  

• McAfee Internet Security 2010 is much improved over previous years. There is an innovative new interface, and the protection is solid. Only the suite's speed remains a lingering drawback.
  
  
• Once again, Kaspersky Internet Security 2010 is among this year's top products. It provides solid protection against rootkits, but PC Magazine's review noted the product's higher-than-average list price.
  
  
• Microsoft Security Essentials is a free collection of security tools. It's received generally good comments from Windows Secrets contributing editor Susan Bradley and senior editor Fred Langa. The consensus of testing labs such as Virus Bulletin (see below) assigns this package average malware detection and removal capabilities. Its best features are easy installation and a simple interface — which will appeal to less-technical PC users.
  

• AV-Comparatives.org's list of recently tested antivirus apps.
  
• AV-Test.org's comparison of AV test results.
  
• Virus Bulletin's new Reactive and Proactive (RAP) test results (free registration required).
  

• Secunia: The company's Online Software Inspector (OSI) (product page) runs in your browser, requiring no download or installation. Secunia's Personal Software Inspector (PSI), by contrast, is a standalone program that installs on your PC (download site).
  
  If you find yourself forgetting to run either OSI or PSI after Microsoft releases its latest updates, you can sign up for Secunia's automatic reminders.
  
  Currently in beta, Secunia's Corporate Software Inspector (CSI) for enterprises is described on its product page.
  
  
• Shavlik: The company has migrated its update service away from the Google Desktop (which some analysts considered a privacy risk) and into its own site. As of this writing, the redesigned site can scan your PC for missing patches. New features — still under construction as of this writing — will let Shavlik automatically fix any problems it finds.
  
  
• Belarc Advisor: This free utility is downloaded from the vendor's site. The program's interface isn't pretty, but Belarc does the job.
  

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• Wisdom of running as limited user
  
  Lounge member David Vanderschel ponders the pros and cons of running under Windows administrator user rights. Several other Loungers chime in with their views on administrator mode and its application in preventing malware attacks. More»
  
  
• Converting 2003 template with toolbar to 2007
  
  Lounger gharding asked fellow members the best way to convert Word 2003 templates to Word 2007 and keep a template's attached toolbar. He received several answers that will help him with the conversion. More»
  
  
• Ubuntu, lessons learned
  
  A thread about using Linux Ubuntu in a dual-boot system generated a surprising number of comments about this alternate operating system. Threads can have long lives — this one was started over a year ago and is still active. More»
  

• .exe extension changed for emailing purposes
  
  
• Easy File Locker locked my desktop
  
  
• Exporting Excel spreadsheet into .asp Web site
  

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By Stephanie Small Snoring is one of those loud, annoying habits that are always more irritating for the listener. Balancing peaceful sleep with family harmony can put any relationship to the test. But what if the offender is the family dog? It can actually be quite funny. After you hear the noises emanating from the creature in this video, the occasional snore from your roommate/partner/friend will sound like music to your ears. Play the video

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TOP STORY By Robert Vamosi New security tools help protect your PC New top choice for router-based firewall Security suites provide adequate protection Sources for managing Windows and application patches Finding the latest on browser vulnerabilities LOUNGE LIFE By Tracey Capen The wisdom of running under Windows admin mode Interesting questions raised in the Lounge WACKY WEB WEEK By Stephanie Small Snoring canine companion rattles the windows

	LANGALIST PLUS By Fred Langa Windows 7 won't eliminate XP coverage No Windows XP content in this newsletter? Problems 'pinning' items to the Win7 Taskbar Reader suggests a handy app for FLAC decoding Adding wallpaper to Win7 Starter Edition Choosing between 32- or 64-bit Windows
	WOODY'S WINDOWS By Woody Leonhard New names, new threats from fake security apps Rogue anti-malware — many names, many disguises New and improved scareware: Internet Security 2010 If it looks suspicious, it's probably a rogue Money drives the bogus protection come-on
	PERIMETER SCAN By Ryan Russell Tools for safely removing rogue anti-malware Scareware installs fake antivirus tools Current favorite scareware removal tools More resources for removing rogue anti-malware

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