The easiest way to safeguard your computer? Ditch the Windows machine. A Mac will keep the contents of your computer safer, says Avi Rubin, a computer science professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. That's because Windows has a bigger market share, so it's a natural target for hackers.
The upgraded version of the MacBook Air that made its debut in July is twice as fast as the previous generation, but the 11-inch model retains its $999 price tag. That's a great deal for one of the coolest and lightest (less than 21/2 pounds) laptops out there. To further protect your Mac, click on "System Preferences," then "Security," then "Firewall." Set the firewall to "stealth mode," which makes your computer invisible to potential hackers.
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By Carolyn Bigda, Beth Braverman, Veronica Crews, Ismat Sarah Mangla, Peter Valdes-Dapena, and Penelope Wang - Last updated October 17 2011: 1:41 PM ET
