• Microsoft offers free options to enhance Windows security.computer screen with padlock image by patrimonio designs from Fotolia.com
  
  Computer and Internet security should be concerns for all computer users. Many companies offer security software suites to protect computers from viruses, malware and intrusions. These third-party software solutions can be expensive and require yearly subscription fees. Microsoft bundles many security products with their Windows operating systems and offers other security software as free downloads. These security options offer strong computer protection and can be automatically updated through Windows Updates, ensuring that the products maintain the most current level of protection.
  
  

Bitlocker Drive Encryption

• Microsoft's Bitlocker Drive Encryption software provides increased computer data protection by encrypting all of the data stored on the Windows operating system volume.
  
  

Parental Controls

• The parental controls built into Windows Vista and Windows 7 provide parents with a way to determine which websites their children can visit, what games they can play and which programs they can run. Additionally, the Windows parental controls allow parents to restrict their child's computer use to certain times of the day.
  
  

Windows Defender

• The Windows Defender anti-spyware application is another security option offered by Microsoft and is designed to protect your computer from malware and spyware that users may unwittingly download from the Internet.
  
  

Windows Firewall

• Windows Firewall is bundled with Windows Vista and Windows 7 and can protect your PC from outside intrusions. Windows Firewall also can protect your computer from malicious software by implementing restrictions on operating system resources if the computer begins to behave unexpectedly.
  
  

Windows Security Center

• The Windows Security Center is also bundled with Windows and increases computer security by advising you when security settings should be strengthened and notifying you when installed security software is out of date and needs updating.
  
  

Windows Update

• Windows Update keeps your computer secure and up-to-date by automatically determining which security updates and patches apply to your computer and downloading the updates. To ensure that your computer is up-to-date with the best available level of protection, the Windows Update security option should always be turned on and configured to install updates automatically.
  
  

Windows Backup and Restore Center

• The Windows Backup and Restore Center provides one convenient utility that can be used to back up files and manage restore features. By utilizing the Windows Backup and Restore Center data on your computer is kept safe and protected from hardware failure, user file deletion and other problems that could result in data loss.