Computer security doesn't need to break the piggy bank, and it doesn't have to drag your system to a crawl either, but unfortunately for most people it does both. Let's go over some quick free things you can do yourself to get your system secured.

1. Download AVG free, This virus scanner is well loved even with the recent PR problems it's had because of it's site pre-scanning methods. Install it, tell it not to install the browser tools, and have it do a full scan once a day when your not usually at your computer.

2. Download and install ZoneAlarm Free. Detecting a thief in your house is fine and dandy, but it's best to keep them out, and this application will help to keep intruders into your pc at bay.

3. Get Firefox! Internet Explorer is a great web browser to use to download Firefox then purge from your eyesight. Seriously you might need Internet Explorer (IE) every once in a blue moon, but Firefox is much more secure, powerful, and you will like the interface much better at that.

4. Adaware Free We have been using Adaware for a long time, and it's a great free and easy to use anti-spyware application. It's not foolproof but it's pretty darn good. The only problem with the free one is that it has to be run manually, so I've seen plenty of computers with spyware on them and an outdated Adaware that hasn't been run in a year or two.

What to do when you get a spyware infection and just can't get rid of it? For now here is a shortened list of the applications professionals often use. Be careful when going to get these because people pretend to be the real deal, and will actually put a trojan or spyware on your computer when you think you are downloading a cleaner.

a. Spybot Search and Destroy
b. ccleaner
c. Hijack This!
d. Knoppix
e. Hiram's boot disk
f. Tons of individual removers from F-Secure