The independent testing company's IT staff have come up with ten new year's resolutions that will, the firm says, allow PC users to look forward to an inexpensive, trouble-free 2010.

1) Secure your wireless network. If anyone piggybacking on your network engages in any illegal activity, it will get traced back to your internet account.

2) Download Microsoft Windows Security Essentials, a free security suite which provides protection against multiple threats in one box.

3) Back up your important files regularly as something nasty could slip through your defences and damage the precious information on your computer.

4) Switch to a webmail account such as Google Mail or Yahoo! over an internet service provider's (ISP) email account. This will make it easier if you want to switch to another ISP.

5) Change your online passwords regularly to make sure that your accounts are less vulnerable to hackers.

6) Don't call expensive 0870 numbers on technical helplines if your PC breaks down. Instead look up a cheaper number on the website www.saynoto0870.com

7) Organise your family and friends with one online calendar to ensure that you never miss birthdays or family events ever again.

8) Download and install AVG's free anti-virus programme. This could save you up to £40 a year, every year

9) Clean your PC regularly - a dirty keyboard can harbour more germs than an average toilet.

10) Finally, thinking of changing job? Social networking websites and online job boards are helping many more people find work than traditional methods.

Sarah Kidner, editor of Which? Computing, said that, if you carry out these new year computer resolutions, you can feel confident of a stress-free PC in 2010 - and it won't cost a penny.

"Last year saw a rise in the amount of good quality free software available, so this year is looking pretty good for the consumer. In the world of technology, it appears there is such a thing as a free lunch," she said.