Anti-Virus

If a Virus or Trojan has infected your computer there are freeware programs available that will clean your computer. Here are a few listed below:

  1. HouseCall - Trend Micro's scanner for identifying and removing viruses, Trojans, worms, unwanted browser plugins, and other malware.
  2. Windows Live OneCare - safety scanner, free service designed to help ensure the health of your PC, scan and remove viruses. See the resource links at the end of this article. Windows Live OneCare has a version for XP and a version for Windows Vista and Windows 7.
  3. Snap Files - called Ad-Aware Free, it's an adware and spyware removal tool that scans your memory, registry, and hard drives for known data-mining, aggressive advertising, and tracking components. It then lists the results and offers to remove or quarantine the components.

Five Ways to Avoid Computer Viruses

  1. Emails and Downloads

    Steer clear of unknown emails. Do not open an email from a sender that you do not know. Set your email where you can see the subject and a portion of what the email is about without actually opening the email. If you don't recognize it or it is of no use to you, delete it. Be wary of arbitrary downloads. Do not download information from obscure or x-rated websites and do not download excessive toolbars. Actually, the only toolbar you need is Internet Explorer or the Mozilla Firefox toolbar. If you happen to use another browser outside of those two, you can utilize the toolbar that comes with that particular browser. Quite a few companies on the web try to get you to download their specific toolbar; don't do it. Many viruses obtain access to your computer via downloads.
  2. Virus Protection Software

    A good, reputable virus protection program goes a long way in protecting your computer. The top five are Shield Deluxe 2011, Trend Micro Titanium, Norton, Panda, and Zone Alarm. Choose one, keep it up to date, and protect your computer.
  3. Adware and Spyware Removal Tools

    There are quite a few legitimate adware, spyware, and malware removal tools available on the Internet and most are free of charge. Snapfiles is freeware that is available for download and will remove most viruses from your computer. It can also be used as a way to prevent a virus before it occurs.
  4. System Updates

    Run system updates each time you are prompted to. Only run updates that come directly from your computer manufacturer. For example, if you have a HP, only run updates that come from HP. If you own a Dell computer, only run updates from Dell.
  5. Run System Diagnostics

    Go to Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter. Also, from the top of your IE browser click Tools, Internet Options, and clear your "cache." Cache is your temporary Internet files, cookies, and history. Clear the cache once or twice per week and run system diagnostics once or twice per month.
    6. Top 5 Free Anti-Virus Software
    1. Avast! Free Antivirus 5.0


      Avast has a new user-friendly interface. The free anti-virus software has a new "heuristic" engine for finding trouble on your PC. Heuristic is the process of detecting previously unknown computer viruses, as well as new variants of viruses already on the web.

    2. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 9.0

      This application is better for keeping an already clean system clean rather than rooting out problems, but it excels at that, even when you're running a Windows system in Safe Mode.

    3. Panda Cloud Anti-Virus 1.0

      Billed as the "best free anti-virus software available" and Panda Cloud also features anti-malware technology. Panda Cloud was PC Magazine's "Editors' Choice for Best Free Anti-virus" November 2009 and June 2010.

    4. Avira Antivir Personal

      Free anti-virus that catches and kills threats once they hit your PC. Outstanding detection of malware. Protects your computer against dangerous viruses, worms, Trojans and costly dialers.

    5. Comodo Anti-virus

      Comodo Anti-virus is an excellent program, easily one of the best free anti-virus options out there. Uses "Defense+ technology" that assumes an unknown file is a potential threat, making this free anti-virus program almost 100% effective. Most other anti-virus programs assume unknown files are safe and only concern themselves with files that have proven to be a problem.
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