Company also offers free trial version of VIPRE anti-malware tool

CLEARWATER, Fla., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of the sixth annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security, Sunbelt Software, a leading provider of Windows security software, offers tips to help consumers and small businesses practice good "cyber hygiene" in order to protect themselves and their families from online threats at home, in the workplace, and at school. Sunbelt also offers a free 30-day trial of its award-winning VIPRE® Antivirus + AntiSpyware solution with registration. Please visit http://www.vipreantivirus.com to register.

Considering the number of malicious threats on the rise and the increasing sophistication of hackers seeking to steal personal and financial information, Sunbelt offers the following Five Pillars of Online Security to protect end users:

1. Protect the perimeter: The first line of defense is to install a bi-directional firewall to control who and what can communicate with your computer online. If the computer is connected to the Internet in any way, users need the ability to block both incoming and outgoing connections. The reason - if malware somehow is installed on the computer, you don't want it to be able to "call home to the malware mothership" with your personal or business information.
2. Install anti-malware protection: Anti-malware is a fairly new term in the industry short for "malicious software" that is a combined group of bad programs that consist of viruses, spyware, trojans, rootkits, adware and other potentially harmful online threats. Anti-malware software protects against ALL of these threats.
3. Patch and scan: Even the most effective anti-malware software will not offer complete protection unless it is updated regularly. Set computers to regularly update Operating System and application patches in order to block attackers from taking advantage of software flaws that would allow them to hack into your system. Recent versions of Microsoft Windows can be configured to download automatically. Make sure these settings are turned on.
4. Don't click on unknown links: A recent Sunbelt survey of more than 400 consumers found that nearly one in five computer users opens URLs in emails without checking the destination and almost one-third of respondents (31.7%) said they don't check the destination of embedded links before clicking on them. Malicious links are the foundation of phishing attacks and can lead to identity theft or malware infection.
5. Use a back-up program: Hardware failures and malware can damage data stored on the computer. Losing anything from family photos to customer information or personal financial data can be devastating.
   

"Cyberthreats are real and personal information stored on business and personal machines have become such a hot commodity that everyone is at risk of this sort of criminal activity," said Alex Eckelberry, chief executive officer for Sunbelt Software. "During National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Sunbelt Software reminds all users to be vigilant in their cybersecurity efforts and follow these simple tips to protect business and personal assets."

For more information about Sunbelt Software, please visit: www.sunbeltsoftware.com

For more information about National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, please visit: http://www.dhs.gov/files/programs/gc_1158611596104.shtm, or read Sunbelt's blog entry on the topic at: http://sunbeltblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/its-cybersecurity-awareness-month.html

    Contact:
    Joanna Horn
    Davies Murphy Group
    404-343-6736
    sunbelt@daviesmurphy.com

SOURCE Sunbelt Software

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