The start of the year is always a good time to renew good habits. Here are some suggestions for safe computing.

• Back up. I say this every year, and every year I get e-mails from people who want advice because they lost all their data. I love computers, but I don't completely trust them; the hard drive on my primary desktop died a most unpleasant (and unexpected) death just last week. It was a pain rebuilding the system to my liking, but I didn't lose any data. I do a monthly backup of my data to optical discs (CDs for my laptop; writeable DVDs for my desktop), I store my program disks and drivers together in a relatively safe place, and I keep my important day-to-day files on a USB key. Backing up is a valuable habit to get into.

• Keep your OS up to date. Security patches often are more trouble then they seem worth, but in the end, it's the folks who didn't bother to install them who end up having the most trouble.

• Run a current antivirus program. And make sure the signatures are up to date.

• Run a firewall (or two). We recommend a simple, inexpensive hardware firewall for anyone with a broadband connection; personal firewall software is necessary as well. The Windows Firewall is a start, but think about installing a more active two-way firewall, especially if you have a laptop you'll be plugging into unfamiliar networks.

• Know what software is on your computer. Web sites and programs leave behind things you may not want, so run an antispyware scanner.

• Be careful with your personal information. This goes for both online and offline data. We've seen too many problems.

I wish all of you a healthy, happy, safe, and connected new year.