Best Antivirus - To Pay Or Not to Pay?

By Hugh Duddy

There are many kinds of antivirus systems that you can download or purchase for the security of your computer. While most commercial software that you can purchase comes with warranties and full customer support, many users also prefer the flexibility of free antivirus systems that can be downloaded from the creator's website or a download forum.

The best antivirus systems come with at least three basic features to enhance the security of your computer system, irrespective of whether they are free or purchased. Firstly, a good antivirus system ensures that it receives updates on a regular basis so that it can keep itself up to date on the latest detected threats.

Such updates should preferably be conducted at least once every day, and require access to the internet. Secondly, the best kind of antivirus system also has a scanning function that allows you to monitor the content on your hard drives for potentially unsafe elements. The program should ideally allow you to schedule daily or weekly scans according to your preferences.

Thirdly, having a means of identifying potentially harmful websites should also be an integral part of your antivirus program. Some programs install their own toolbars to monitor websites that are accessed on your computer, while others ask for your permission before proceeding to new websites.

In terms of brands, some of the most well known antivirus programs in the world are Norton, AVG, Zone Alarm and McAfee. Any of these programs is a wise choice if you want to ensure that the best available protection is functional on your computer system. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, but on an overall basis, all these programs are well matched against the others in terms of usability and efficacy.

One of the frequent user complaints against both Norton and McAfee is that these programs do not come with uninstall options, meaning that once you have them set up, you're stuck with them until you decide to change your operating system or get a new computer. Being unable to uninstall a commercial program after you have decided to discontinue your subscription can also cause your system to become unstable if you decide to install another antivirus program on your computer.

Among the free programs, AVG Free Edition and Zone Alarm are the best known. AVG Free is small and unobtrusive, which makes it the preferred antivirus program of millions of users. Zone Alarm is well known for its Auto Learn feature, which allows the program to update itself based on your preferences.

Its frequent requests for permission to visit new web pages can sometimes be annoying, but this is compensated for by the level of security that the program gives you. It is best to put any antivirus program in your startup menu, so that you don't forget to turn it on while accessing the internet. In addition, despite the fact that each of these programs provides adequate security in itself, your system can become unstable if you try to run more than one antivirus program at the same time.

AVG has just recently released version 8.0 (free) anti-virus software. Could this be the best free antivirus package out there?

For more free tips on Antivirus Software and the Best PC Security Tips head over to EasyPCSecurity.Com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hugh_Duddy

Antivirus Security

Computer security has always been a headache for computer users. They want to connect to Internet but they are afraid if this will hamper the security of their data which resides in their computer systems. Everyone loves their data. Many companies have tried hard to create Antivirus Security software which will solve almost all the needs of a general user but most of them have failed to do so. Some of them which succeeded in creating Antivirus Security software are Norton, Kaspersky, Zone Alarm, MacAfee etc.
Antivirus Security is a must for any computer system and one should never think that Antivirus Security will be required only by those computers which connect to Internet. CD and USB which you borrow from your friends can easily be used by viruses to transfer themselves from one computer to another. Hence every computer must have Antivirus Security and the real time virus check should be enabled.
Using the real time virus scan Antivirus Security software are able to keep a check of your computer behind the curtains and for this you don’t even have to do manual scans. Antivirus Security software itself will detect for viruses. Users can also schedule for full virus scans for times when their computer is free. This way regular virus checkup will keep your computer clean from harmful and malicious viruses.
Antivirus Security software must be updated regularly with new virus definitions so as to keep pace with the fast developing viruses. One should remember to perform some self research to analyze that which is the best antivirus available around the Internet. This might consume lots of time but the end result will be something that focuses on you and your needs as the test was also performed by you.
Antivirus Security software is an integral part of every computer and if you are still not using any Antivirus Security software then this is the best time to do so. Go for it.
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by George Sanchez

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Trojan Problems

Have you ever had this problem with your computer. Every time you try to open your Internet Explorer to surf the Internet, an error message reads "Failed to get data for 'ad' ", the next thing you see is a dreaded illegal operation box and your Internet Explorer gets shut down.

When navigating around My Computer or Control Panels, you get this message although you still can navigate the controls, despite the illegal message error.

This is an example of a Trojan. Trojans are not viruses, these are malware that are usually hidden in a .exe file that you download online.

Here's are examples of how it can happen.

1) You click on a .exe file that came from an email address you recognized.

2) You went to some sites and downloaded some .exe files that looked like something else you were looking for.

3) You click on a "Click Here!" link in someones AOL instant messenger profile and it ended up throwing about 3 Trojan Dropper viruses on my computer. Your virus checker can catch them but not be able to remove, quarantine or delete them without impairing your operating system.

Sometime after doing a complete system scan and one may assume that the virus checker caught it. About a week later, the symptoms can resurface.

If your out of ideas and your anti virus program is unable to help, before contemplating formatting your hard disk and reinstalling the OS, try using a focused Trojan Remover software. Trojans are not Viruses, so you need a specialized Trojan Remover tool that is constantly updated to combat the multi variations of a single Trojan.

Take for example, the Trojan. Vundo Trojan. This little guy will display multiple pop ups on your Internet Explorer browser, and you will end up seeing things that you may not want to see. There are many variants of this trojan and frequently updated anti-trojan anti malware & spyware tools will be able to detect and clean them quickly and easily. This will save one time and avoid the time consuming process of having to reinstall the entire WinXP/ OS & Drivers.

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About Norton Anti-Virus

With the many types of anti-virus software, it is helpful to read a brief description of what the different types do and how they can be beneficial to you and your computer.
Norton Anti-virus

Symantec's Norton AntiVirus software is perhaps the world's most trusted antivirus solution. It is available for both Windows PC's, and Macintosh (Symantec Antivirus for Macintosh - S.A.M). Norton AntiVirus is a very reliable and easy-to-use anti-virus product. It's the best anti-virus product for catching viruses in downloaded files and E-mail. Norton AntiVirus is also more expensive than McAfee VirusScan although not by much, and the added abilities of Norton can easily make up the difference.

Norton AntiVirus includes many tools that can be run in the background, including watching for suspicious PC activity and automatically checking downloaded files for viruses. Norton AntiVirus is also automatically configured to handle E-mail virus scanning for email messages coming into your computer, as well as those you send. This process automatically scans and cleans both incoming and outgoing email, stopping viruses from infecting your computer or spreading to others. It removes viruses automatically, without interrupting your work and prevents infections during real-time online chats, and also detects viruses in instant-message attachments. Because so many viruses and internet worms are now spread using email and Instant Message Systems, this is extremely valuable and necessary protection.

Norton Installation

Installation is simple. Simply install the CD in your CD drive, and the installer will launch automatically. The installer should ask you if you want to do a pre-install scan of your system for viruses. This is a very good thing to do. Once this is finished, the installation will proceed, and you can accept all the defaults without worry. Once the installation is complete, you'll be prompted to go online and get up-to-date virus definitions. DO NOT skip this step. Having up-to-date virus definitions is essential to the performance of any antivirus software.

Normal Use

Norton is a very hands-off program. Pretty much it is an install and forget program that looks after itself. It will automatically notify you if there is anything that you need to do. If a virus is found, the software will try to automatically repair the file, if it can't, it will place the file in a safe 'quarantine' zone, and let you know. In addition to looking for known viruses, the Norton Antivirus Bloodhound feature tries to spot new viruses and worms by their behaviour that is common to such nasty programs.

Checking your system and downloading updates are two things you need to do regularly. Norton Antivirus makes them painless by setting up a full system scan once a week and checking for new updates (both to the software, and virus definitions) whenever you're online. These simple update scans hardly slow down your PC down at all.

Overall, Norton Antivirus is an excellent way to guard against viruses. It is the system that I recommend to my clients most often, and that I use personally.

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Pc Security Guide On Selecting Your Antivirus And Antispyware Programs

The number of antivirus and antispyware programs present on the Internet is truly immense nowadays. In fact, an average purchaser of these programs is sure to be confused, and might even end up making the wrong purchase. At the same time, the free download antivirus and antispyware programs have restricted features and hence they might not give complete protection. That means we must be very careful when we buy them. Internet security technologies, the repair and protection solutions system has two good utility in this regard, which might be considered. These are protects computer antivirus and system mechanic. Based on these, we can outline the features that good antivirus and antispyware applications must have.You must remember that an antivirus is not just for removing viruses. That is because there are many other malicious codes that can attack your computer apart from the viruses. These are the Trojan files, worms, root kits and much more than that. In fact, some files can reside on your computer and while not doing any visible harm, they might use up your resources and make your computer function slowly. These are the parasites. Your antivirus must be able to protect your computer from all of these. Another very significant feature of the antivirus is that it must run continuously in the background when you are using your computer, without you having anything to do to start it. If you forget to launch the antivirus, then there could be an attack. Your antivirus must launch automatically and work relentlessly at scanning your PC. This includes scanning the email attachments and downloads you are taking from the Internet. Virus definitions change; new viruses are constantly being made by mischief mongers from across the world. Hence, you need to have an antivirus that can keep itself updated often. Nowadays you can even find antivirus programs that have hourly updates. The internet protection software antivirus has it.Speaking of spyware protection, you need an antispyware program that can do much more than just spyware removal. A good antispyware program will remove malware, adware and key loggers who seek unlawful entry into your PC and cause different kinds of havoc. An antispyware should also be able to remove parasites, which empty the resources of you r computer.Your antispyware should be intelligent. Since spyware comes into your system quite stealthily (the coders make it especially like that), your antispyware must be one step ahead of them at all times. The way to do this is by detecting security flaws and any unauthorized system changes. These must be immediately detected by the antispyware you are using and fixed. Spyware can enter your computer when you click on pop-ups. Hence, it is good if your antispyware has an inbuilt pop-up blocker too. Browsers nowadays have pop-up blockers, but a specially made pop-up blocker would do a better job.

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Antivirus Comparisons

If you looking for a new Antivirus Software then you naturally want something which is going to be detect and rid of parasite programs. But what to fail it of many people to hold account are the resources of system of which your new piece of software will need. This could have a massive effect on the way in which your PC functions. Here we look at how to make comparisons of antivirus so that you can obtain a product which functions effectively. Regular scanning for viruses is a necessary part to for computer with the access of Internet. But a few well-known pieces of software consume a great quantity of your resources of system to carry this outside. In practice what this means is that your whole computer will slow down. Instead of flying by quickly opening calculations and programs, it will feel like the ages of catch of it.
A part of the software of the most known antivirus is notorious for this. Such an example is Norton antivirus and in particular the continuation of safety of Internet. It should not say that the software is bad or doesn't do its work. Indeed, that functions well. But it should function quietly in the content, not affecting your whole system. Thus how can you make sure that you obtain an effective piece of Antivirus Software? You are useful of any shareware or 30 tests of day that you can download Internet and use before separation with any money cash. This will give you a good feeling for the way in which the software will carry out. It is preferable buying the product of a store, because often they will not accept a return once that the packing is open. By considering the conditions of resource, your computer will be protected but motionless all its load will carry out quickly.
By: IC
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A Security Matter to All Business Software Users!

by Lionel Estridge

As we all know identity theft has become an extensive problem in today's world. Fortunately people nowadays are familiar with the problem of identity theft and the basic defence needed to protect ourselves.
Just a number of simple tips can prevent your data from falling into the wrong hands. Things like shredding or incinerating identifying documents, changing passwords regularly, and keeping PIN numbers separate from our ATM cards. These steps will beyond doubt help to keep you as an individual, safe.

But unfortunately a home-based business makes you an attractive target for burglary and theft, thieves knows that in effect they can rob two places for the price of one that is your home, and your home business.

So security is absolutely imperative, and must begin with files that are kept on your computer. Make sure that a password is used to protect your desktop, even if you are the only one who normally has access to your system. A good password utilizes both letters and numbers, and is difficult to guess. Should the computer be stolen, the information contained within will still be protected. Especially sensitive documents can be individually password protected with many types of software programs before selling or trashing your computer.

You will need to invest in a high quality wipe program that eliminates all traces of data from the hard drive. Hackers often steal junked computers or buy them from pawnshops in hopes of tracing residual information; they have the equipment and technology to do this.

Make sure that all files are regularly backed up to a separate drive, and this must be separately protected. Options can include an external hard drive that can be locked in a safe, or hidden somewhere safe, or even a miniature flash drives that can be clipped to a keychain. In that way, if your main computer is unfortunately stolen, you will still have imperative access to your customer records.

Be exceptionally scrupulous about your internet connection. A firewall and top quality antivirus software are absolutely critical; your best offence is an active defence, so set your programs above all your operating system, to update automatically, many of the updates are designed to fix security problems. By utilizing your firewall and automatically updating your programs, you will go a long way toward defending yourself and your customers' information. But if you plan to have customers submit any form of personal data to you through your website, and in particular if you offer online ordering, your website must truly be secure.

So a most have is Secure Socket Layering, as most of us now know, this is the technical name of encryption, the software scrambles the data as it is transmitting, thus preventing the data from falling into the wrong hands. This is one expense that you basically must accept, as non-SSL transmissions are easily viewable by others on the internet.

Protecting your customers' information is relatively easy, just remember to follow the general identity theft protection procedures for your customers' data as well as your own, utilize SSL, excellent firewall and antivirus software, and back up and password protect your client files.

At all times practice standard identity protection procedures for your clients as well as yourself. Frequently updated firewall and antivirus software, and make this become a habit, because if you can get into this habit, you will be doing your best to protect yourself and your business, and you will find it easy to keep this up as your business grows.

Contact the Author
Lionel Estridge

Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618 - Best Defence Against All Online Threats To Your Personal Computer

By Andrew Herbert

Spyware doctor 4.0.0.2618 protects against Spyware which threatens your computers hard disk information and easily allows external hijackers to steal your personal information such as your bank account information, personal passwords, emails and documents. The most common sign of spyware on your computer will be pop ups and unsolicited adverts displayed on your screen.

If you have experienced any of the above, then the most effective way to remove these serious threats will be to use a spyware remover like I did such as the award winning Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618.

My experience of Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618

Every time you log onto the internet, your computer becomes vulnerable to attack from spyware unless suitably protected.

Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618 detects and then removes spyware threats in your system and continually protects your computer from any new spyware and adware threats out there on the web.

Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618 is spyware removal software that is easily available over the internet in either a free trial format or a fully paid version which provides the full benefits of the spyware doctor 4.0.0.2618 protection.

There can be at any one time thousands of spyware threats to your PC which are trying their best to infect your hard disk by any way possible. Adequate protection from spyware doctor 4.0.0.2618 removes Spyware threats such as trojans, keyloggers and spybots which are are wiped from your system.

My personal experience of Spyware infection is not a good one, my system was infected by a download which resulted in constant adverts, message bubbles and slowed my computer system down by about 50%.

I stumbled upon Spyware doctor 4.0.0.2618 through one of the many internet sales companies and decided upon spyware doctor 4.0.0.2618 as it won numerous awards for its guaranteed performance.

Spyware Doctor 4.0.0.2618 performs a fast scanning facility and provides instantaneous detection as soon as you start your system up. Spyware doctor 4.0.0.2618 also alerts you to any threats as soon as it is detected so you can quarantine the threat immediately.

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Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0 - Protection From Viruses And Other Internet Threats

By Christopher Spence

The number of Internet security threats is constantly increasing, and to protect your data and the integrity of your system you need an anti-virus solution, such as Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0. Due to holes in security created by a rapidly evolving Internet, the threat posed by cyber criminals and hackers is becoming increasingly severe. Kaspersky's sophisticated software package offers many features that are essential to reducing your threat of virus exposure and infection.

Viruses are not the only criminal activity on the Internet today, and threats such as spyware, phishers, and hackers pose tremendous risk to your network security. A growing problem, identity theft has likely already affected you or someone else that you know. If your system is hacked, or your laptop is lost or stolen, your sensitive personal and financial information can become compromised. Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0 scans web files and email for malware and other threats, allowing you to browse the Internet without worry.

As new viruses and other threats continue to surface, the technology used to create them is becoming more complex and difficult to detect. Virus programmers are always looking for ways to layer on encryption to conceal their code deep within your system where many anti-virus programs cannot find it. Anti-virus programming must constantly evolve to keep up with these always-changing threats.

Many anti-virus programs offer only periodic updates, and your system can be attacked before your software even recognizes the threat. Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0 provides automatic hourly updates, and is able to respond to malware threats within two hours of detection. The unparalleled number of updates each month prevents new viruses from entering your system undetected.

Malware moves quickly, and some viruses are capable of destroying files within seconds. Therefore, it is vital to use anti-virus software that is able to minimize attacks before they happen. Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0 utilizes intelligent proactive heuristics, which allows for the automatic isolation of files without a match to those contained in the signature database. This way, code is checked in a safe place, reducing the risk of harm to your computer. To prevent possible viral infection, Kaspersky monitors your system with real-time behavior analysis. The anti-virus software will alert you to any potential problems immediately, roll back malicious changes to your system, and restore files that have been encrypted with ransomware.

Ranked first in both independent tests and reviews, Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0 is the leading anti-virus software. It finds and neutralizes more threats more quickly to keep your computer and private information safe. Kaspersky even varies its scans based on the user's activity for a customized approach. Based on its variety of sophisticated features and impressive rate of updates, it is easy to understand why Kaspersky AntiVirus 7.0 is the anti-virus software preferred by so many people.

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Christopher is an Information Security Consultant for Lexan Systems L.L.C.. You are welcome to reproduce this article on your Computer Security related web site, as long as you reproduce the article in full, including this resource box and link to our website.

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