Antivirus Blog

There are several ways that spyware can sneak onto your computer. Visiting some unfamiliar websites may cause your browser to automatically download spyware to your computer. File sharing programs like KaZaa and Limewire are notorious for assisting in the distribution of spyware. Even some legitimate software comes bundled with a less-harmful yet still intrusive type of spyware. In order to fend off spyware, you’ll need adequate spyware detection and removal software. But what if you suspect that your system is already running spyware?

There are a few key things to look for to help you determine whether or not your system has actually been infected with some type of spyware.

Signs that there is Spyware Present

• Flashing icons in the taskbar that were not there previously
• Random, unprovoked browser pop-ups that advertise things like casinos, pornography, or money making opportunities (bizop)
• Antivirus software alerting you about security breaches
• Constant requests from firewalls to grant permissions to random applications that you’re unfamiliar with

What to do After You’ve Been Infected

1. Avoid clicking on any ads or pop-ups that you are presented with. Check for updates for your security software
2. Reboot your computer in safe mode by pressing F8 at the BIOS screen when you start your computer
3. Run your spyware and antivirus scans to check for issues. Be sure to select ‘Full Scan’ so that your entire hard drive is checked.
4. Check your Program Files folder for any new folders that may have appeared. Try uninstalling those programs with the Add/Remove Programs in your Control Panel. In some cases, simply uninstalling the foreign software will solve the problem.
5. Reboot your computer, and run another full scan to see if there are still any spyware/viruses lurking about.
6. Check Your Windows Processes for anything that looks suspicious. Any unfamiliar process names that are comprised of random combinations of letters and numbers might be red flags. Do a Google search of the process name and see what comes up. If it is indeed spyware, you will likely find resources that will confirm it.
7. If you’ve determined that it is indeed spyware, try searching your computer for it, and then end the process and delete the .exe. If it automatically starts up again, youíll have to reboot your computer in safe mode to delete it.

By using all of the aforementioned precautions as well as removal methods, you should be able to completely rid your PC of any and all spyware, and have it running back to capacity. Even though some spyware is more or less just an inconvenience, other types are very malicious and designed with the sole purpose of robbing you.

Having a computer free of spyware is very important for your personal safety as well as your peace of mind. With a clean PC you can surf the web, shop online, and even do your banking with confidence. And you wonít have to deal with the slowed down performance often associated with spyware using up too many system resources.

Just like the internet constantly and rapidly expands, so does the elaborateness and sophistication of harmful malware that is designed to damage or compromise computers. Although the risk of contracting one of these cyber infections has increased dramatically, so has the advanced technology of antivirus and security software. In order to avoid having your personal data damaged or compromised by one of these malicious programs, it is highly recommended that you run adequate security software and always keep it up to date. It’s also a good idea to regularly run scans of each of your drives. Most brands of antivirus software allow you to schedule regular scans that will initiate automatically and detect and remove any threats found. Now let’s take a closer look at the blueprints of this type of virus.

A computer virus is basically any piece of malicious or infected software that is spread from PC to PC that is programmed to delete system files, folders, or even your entire hard drive. Unlike spyware, which is used to monitor your activity and collect personal information about you, viruses are created with the sole purpose of harming your computer. Some of the most common ways viruses are transmitted are from internet downloads, email attachments, visiting non-trusted websites, and even from instant message sessions. In most cases, manual removal of these types of infections is almost impossible. Unless you’re an expert, you’ll need a quality antivirus protection tool that can detect signature files within files located on your hard drive and then quarantine them accordingly. A good antivirus program is regularly updated with information pertaining to the latest detected types of viruses, ensuring that your computer is equipped with the most up to date protection possible. Many types of antivirus software have advanced proactive technology that allows them to use data gathered from known virus types to detect potential threats that have not even been discovered yet.

If you suspect that your system may already be infected with a virus, there are a few things you should consider. Common symptoms of computer viruses are unprovoked internet browser redirecting, erroneous white desktop background, slowed performance, and unfamiliar pop up messages or applications lurking in your system memory. Even if you aren’t experiencing any of these symptoms, it is still a good idea to regularly run system scans to make sure there are no problems, especially if your computer is connected to the internet. Some viruses run very quietly in the background but can still cause very significant damage over time.

If you haven’t done so already, it is imperative that you install some type of antivirus utility on your computer. There are several quality products available, both paid and free versions. Of course, free programs donít offer the same functionality or advanced features of paid ones, but they can still effectively help you to detect and remove viruses and other types of malware. In addition, most of the paid software is also available as a free trial, so that you can test drive the product and decide if youíd like to keep it on your machine.

What’s the absolute best antivirus software to run on your computer? Just about everyone asks that question when they purchase a new computer or even upgrade their internet connection. With the rising popularity of high-speed internet as of late, effective antivirus protection is all the more important. The internet is literally riddled with malicious software, and without a quality antivirus product, your computer may be at risk.

There are a few key factors to keep in mind when youíre shopping for a antivirus software.

1. How often is the software updated? Are the updates automatic?
2. Does the software block spyware and Trojans along with traditional viruses?
3. Is there a built in firewall?
4. What sort of return policy does the product offer?

All of the above questions should be asked and you should be satisfied with the answers before choosing an antivirus program. While there are free antivirus software options, they are usually limited in their capabilities and not nearly updated as frequently as paid programs.

Another big selling point is customer support. What type of customer support is offered by the software? Phone? Chat? Email? Paid antivirus programs obviously will have better customer support, while the free varieties very often have none at all, or sometimes simply offer email support that takes quite some time to get a response from. Some of the better antivirus software providers offer 24/7 live phone and/or support. This can be very useful, especially for computer users who are unfamiliar with antivirus software or who need a little bit more assistance.

To further help you decide which antivirus product youíd like to run on your system, have a look around online on the various review sites to see what people are saying about them. Also computer and technology magazines can be a great resource for information and reviews on antivirus products. Most importantly check to see that users are saying that they are satisfied with the effectiveness of the software, and also the customer support they may have received. Itís important to know that your antivirus provider will be there for you if a serious problem arises.

If you’re still having trouble deciding which antivirus software is best for you, you could always install a trial version of the software and see how you like it. Just be sure to install any antivirus software you might have running before you install any new antivirus software to avoid any potential conflicts.

Having constant antivirus protection is especially important if your computer is continuously connected to the internet. As the popularity of high-speed internet has increased, so has the amount of hackers and malicious software. It is imperative that you have dependable, up to date antivirus software to protect you from such threats. Itís also a good idea to perform routine scans of all of your files to ensure that there are no viruses hiding or infected files. Most antivirus programs will give you the option of being able to schedule scans for a future date, or even to automatically scan at a regular interval that you set.