Click Here to find out more about AVG 8 free.
Avast free anti-virus came top of the free programs when tested by Which magazine.
Anti-Vir Free is very good but is suitable only if you have have fast broadband as it takes forever to update on dial-up.
The medium priced Bit Defender Total Security 2008 (£36 per annum for3 users per household) came top in a recent review of anti-virus programs. It has good anti-spy properties as well.
Of the big expensive anti-virus programs, McAfee used to cause me the most trouble, especially the anti-spam component. Norton, when it is working well, was not too bad but it was often a pain to re-subscribe and it sometimes receives updates which caused problems.The problems with Norton and McAfee were due to the many extra bits which were bolted on year after year to persuade people to upgrade to the latest version. They had become bloated, especially the internet security versions because they tried to be all things to all men.
Norton and McAfee have now produced completely new products from scratch so you can buy the versions labelled 2008 with confidence; they will deal with everything the virus creators can throw at them.
Panda and Kaspersky anti-virus are good.
Watch out for the two types of protection (i) a plain anti-virus program (ii) an internet security program. Internet Security programs are expensive because they contain many extra features such as anti-spy, a firewall, anti-spam, child protection. You may not need the extras. A free anti virus program such as AVG 8 free contains an anti-spy program and a detector of dodgy links. Windows XP already has a firewall. Anti spam programs are available free.
Why do they do it? I am frequently asked why people create viruses. Probably for the same reason that vandals and national tabloid journalist enjoy destroying property and people. These pathetic creeps get pleasure from their power over people and events. Just as journalists in the national tabloids enjoy creating gloom and panic, and revel in character assassination, so vandals enjoy wrecking property and cars. Virus creators are vandals who actually enjoy wrecking computers.
So your anti-virus program has found a virus.
Don't panic! The infected file
will be repaired by your anti-virus program. Calm down, and make a careful
note of everything that the Virus Alert notice says. You will be offered a
choice of things to do. Choose Repair first. If this fails, choose
Quarantine or (send to the Vault). If that fails, choose Delete.
Repaired, quarantined or deleted viruses are rendered harmless.
Your anti-virus program will also alert you to the presence of a worm or
Trojan, in which case the Virus Alert notice may say 'Access to the file was
denied'. This may need expert attention because anti-virus programs are
sometimes unable to destroy worms or trojans. Make a careful note of the
name and other details of any virus/worm/trojan; your computer technician
will then be able to quickly find it and destroy it.
Service Pack 2:
In August 2004, Service Pack 2 was released with a great deal of publicity.
Strangely some people missed it or ignored it. To protect your computer this
pack was essential. If you see a blue caterpillar at start up you have SP2
installed. .If you have a green caterpillar you can be sure of a load of
trouble from viruses, worms and trojans.
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Adrian West © 2007 computer help, computer problems solved
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