The SuperSite Switcher Guide: From Mac OS X to Windows
Securing Windows

Mac users chortle at all the perceived security vulnerabilities that seem to inflict Windows users every single day. But that's all nonsense: Fewer than 1 percent of Windows users experience any malware at all, according to Microsoft. Statistics aside, if you know what you're doing, securing Windows is simple. Here's what you need to do, depending on which version of Windows you're using:

Windows XP

Use Windows Update to install all updates, including Service Pack 3. Then, manually install Windows Defender (anti-spyware) and an anti-virus package. I recommend AVG Anti-Virus Free which is, as its name suggests, absolutely free.

Windows Vista

Windows Vista is even easier to secure than Windows XP because, get this, Windows Vista is way more secure than XP out of the box. All you need is an anti-virus package. I recommend AVG Anti-Virus Free.

Th-th-th-at's all folks...

That's it. You're done, and Windows is secure. Just don't open any questionable email attachments or visit Web sites that make you look over your shoulder first. Common sense goes a long way online. As it does with any OS.

--Paul Thurrott
August 31, 2008