Sometimes people don't implement adequate Internet security solutions because they don't want to spend the money it would take to be safe.

This is a terrible mistake for two reasons. One, there is always a cost when your system is affected by a software pest that has come in from the Internet. Two, an unprotected system on the Internet absolutely will get infected with some sort of pest, probably within in its first 20 minutes of being online.*

These days, you absolutely cannot be safe online unless you have good Internet protection in place. It is urgent that you take action to protect your computer, data, and wireless devices if you:

    * value your privacy.
    * ever type financial information, such as a bank account number or credit card information, into your computer.
    * ever type personally identifiable information into your computer, such as your name, your Social Security number, your library card number, or any other identification number.
    * want to limit the degree to which others can monitor your online activity.
    * don't want to pay the costs of time, money, and aggravation you will definitely incur when an Internet pest disrupts your system or compromises your information, as it definitely will.

It can be far more expensive than you may realize if you don't have your system well protected. For example, a client of ours was reluctant to spend the $40 per system they would need to buy anti-virus software for all their systems (this was several years ago. They had 18 computers, so their cost for the anti-virus software was going to be $720 (18 systems x $40).

About two weeks after they decided not to purchase the software, they were got a virus. Removing viruses and other pests from computers is time-consuming. The work of the entire office was disrupted for 2 days. The invoice we submitted to them for removing the virus from all their systems was $1520.

Having unexpectedly just spent $1520 on virus removal, the client didn't want to then turn around and stretch their budget further by spending the $720 for anti-virus software. They once again decided not to purchase the software. Although it made sense to them in the moment, the decision backfired the following week when they got another virus. This time, the invoice for cleaning the viruses off their systems was a little less, only $1175. Between the two viruses, the total cost was $2695 in clean-up costs, plus a total of 3.2 days of downtime for the entire office.

This time, the client decided to spend the $720 for the software. This was six years ago. Since then, they have kept their anti-virus software up to date. They have also implemented additional security components as Internet threats have proliferated. They have been free from Internet threats since then.

We urge you to learn from examples like this, rather than waiting to become a victim. Internet security solutions are a cost-effective approach to an ongoing, potentially expensive problem. Every business and home user should take this problem firmly in hand. Internet security is an investment that is guaranteed to pay off because of money and time saved and the aggravation it will help you avoid.

We encourage you to take steps toward implementing good Internet security solutions today. Don't wait!

*Internet Storm Center, 2004 study. In 2003, the estimate was 40 minutes.

If you are not sure what to actually DO to achieve Internet security, please read Six Steps to Internet Security, a free, in-depth article that will demystify the security picture and empower you in the process. A little knowledge goes a long way!

Sylvia Breau is a long-time computer consultant to small businesses. She is committed to helping computer owners break through the "technology gap" that occurs when regular people can't understand what computer geeks are saying. In the case of Internet security, this technology gap is beyond being simply frustrating or costly. It becomes downright dangerous. The author wishes to convey to all computer users the importance of devoting just a bit of time and energy to knowing what they need to do and have to stay safe online.

For a "snapshot" of your computer security, please use our Computer Security Score Card.