We all know computers aren't cheap, so we want them to last as long as they can. You could take your PC in for a service every year, like you take your car to a mechanic, but why not save money and avoid downtime by taking care of things yourself? Read on for some expert tips on keeping your PC fit and healthy..

A penny saved is a penny earned. At the same time, it's very easy to be penny wise and pound foolish. When looking to stretch your budget, whether at home or in business, it's always important to be cautious when cutting corners. You can end up spending much more money resolving a problem that could have been avoided by spending a little more in the first place.

There is plenty of free and open source software available on the internet - the only trick is knowing which applications will save you time and expense, and which ones are useless, trial-based, "freemiums" or worst of all, infected with spyware. Let us make cost-free risk-free, with our "Top Five Free Software."

So far in our series on Internet Safety and Security we've looked at the passive attacks you may be subject to - scams, viruses, phishing emails, and spyware. In part 3 we'll look at how to stay safe from the more direct attacks: hackers trying to intercept your data or break into your system!

In Part 1 of our three-part series on Internet Security we talked about Malware - trojans, worms, spyware, adware - and how you can defend yourself against these software threats. In Part 2 we'll discuss Scams and Phishing, devious ploys to capture your personal details - or even your money - that sometimes trick even the professionals!