Virus Protection

Today I'll be giving a few tips on how to prevent virus infections on your computer.

The best defense against infections are up to date anti-virus software. If you don't have an anti-virus program, you can download one for free.

Avast Home Edition offers their home version for free for non-commercial & home use and includes ANTI-SPYWARE protection, certified by the West Coast Labs Checkmark process, and ANTI-ROOTKIT detection based on the best-in class GMER technology.




You can see below the different resident scanners for instant Messaging, internet mail, Network Shield, and Microsoft Outlook.



And here are the rest of the resident scanners, P2P (peer to peer), Standard and Web Shield.





AntiVir Personal is free anti-virus that constantly and rapidly scans your computer for malicious programs such as viruses, Trojans, backdoor programs, hoaxes, worms, dialers etc. Monitors every action executed by the user or the operating system and reacts promptly when a malicious program is detected. It detects and removes more than 150,000 viruses and includes 7 different resident shields which protect a user's PC, with minimal impact on system performance.


Here are some of the categories Antivir will scan for you:




And this is what the scanner interface looks like.





AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition is trusted antivirus and antispyware protection for Windows (Xp, Vista and Windows 7)free for home use. It includes a new LinkScanner® Active Surf-Shield which checks web pages for threats at the only time that matters – when you're about to click that link.




And here is is during a scan:




If you already have anti-virus software, make sure it has updated virus definitions (this is the database of known virus infections used to scan your computer). Most programs have an option to automatically update and scan on a daily or weekly basis and give you the ability to set your scan for a time when the computer is not in use (like the middle of the night). Keeping your anti-virus updated and scanning on a regular basis is very important.


Also, be sure to install Windows Updates whenever they are available. These updates can be downloaded for free from Microsoft and will patch known security holes in your software, as well as adding new features. Windows Update can be configured to install updates automatically, ensuring that a computer is always up-to-date and not vulnerable to computer worms and other malware.

This is what Windows Update looks like if you use Windows XP. It can be reached by going to the Microsoft Windows Update website



If you use Windows Vista or Windows 7, the web site is no longer used for selecting and downloading updates. Instead, enter the control panel and select the Windows Update icon.



Here you can check for updates, configure automatic updates, and see if there are any extras available for your operating system.




Although these tools provide good protection against most average virus infections, some infections are severe and may require professional service.

How did I get infected with spyware?

Almost every computer I work on has some type of infection on it, whether it's spyware, adware, or other general malware. Most people say they have no idea how they got infected and end up asking the same questions.

First of all, what is spyware? Spyware is software that hides itself somewhere on your computer collecting information about you and what you do on the internet without your permission.

Basic Spyware

Spyware is often downloaded onto your PC when you download other free software. When you see a license agreement for any software you have downloaded from the internet be sure to read it carefully. Somewhere in the installation process there may be an option to install a free web toolbar, which could be spyware (Mywebsearch, Coolwebsearch, Weatherbug, etc).




Often buried in the license agreement will be a disclaimer saying that information about you and your browsing habits will be sent to the company's website. This kind of software slows down your computer and may install additional spyware as time goes on.




The information collected about you is usually for advertising purposes but spyware can scan files on your hard drive, listen in on other applications like chat programs, read cookies, etc.

Adware and Malware

Adware is a form of spyware which installs secret advertising software on your computer. These generate on-screen adverts (often pop-ups) which can be really annoying!




The worst forms of adware 'hijack' links in web pages. So, instead of taking you to the correct website they take you to a different site - who have often paid the adware makers.

Malware is another form of spyware. It's short for malicious software and is often designed to cause damage to your computer system just like a virus does. Some can even keep a log of every keystroke you have typed and steal your passwords and financial info.

These adware/malware applications can also seriously use up system resources and can cause your PC to slow to a crawl, crash or freeze. Some of them will even pretend to be anti-spyware programs, trying to fool you into clicking and further infecting yourself.



How You Get It

One of the most common ways spyware gets on your computer is the use of peer-to-peer file swapping programs such as Limewire, Bear Share. These programs not only come bundled with spyware when you install them, but many of the files you download using them are also infected. If you insist on using peer to peer file sharing programs, use Bear Share Lite or Lime Wire Basic instead. They have 0 spyware or adware included in the installation files.