Antivirus Blog

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.

Although PCs have dominated the computer industry over the years, Macs have always maintained a fair market share and have become very popular in certain key demographics. One common reason that people cite for preferring Macs over PCs is that they are immune to computer viruses. However, is it actually true?

Technically, no, it’s not. Macs are in fact vulnerable to contracting viruses to some extent, as are any type of computer. However, the global percentage of computer users that are using Macs is too insignificant to make them a big target for virus engineers. A computer virus written for a PC will not work on a Mac, just like any software written for a PC will not work on a Mac. Basically, it is not worth the time and effort of the virus engineer to write malicious code to work on Macs Vs PCs. With the vast amount of people that use Windows based PCs, viruses and other types of malware will likely continue to be written to target them.

Also, just like Linux, Macs offer one of the most secure operating systems on the market. The nature of the Mac OS is very different from Windows in the way that it functions and it is much more difficult to compromise its security.

This does not mean, however, that you should switch to a Mac simply because you want to avoid virus threats. With all of the quality antivirus and PC security software available today, it is easy to protect yourself and enjoy all the features that Windows has to offer without having to worry about virus attacks.

Since it’s not terribly difficult to protect your PC from viruses, you should factor in the other main differences between Mac computers and PCs to help you make an informed decision on which one is best for you. It should all come down to your personal preference.

If you do decide to go with a Mac, keep in mind that you are not automatically immune to contracting a computer virus. All of the same diligence that PC users should use while surfing the web should also be implemented by Mac users. Although viruses written for Macs are rare, they do exist. Assuming that you cant catch one will only improve your chances of accidentally doing so.

It’s pretty easy to go about your business safely on a Mac without stumbling upon a computer virus. Don’t download any email attachments from senders you don’t know and trust. If a Mac virus was to be distributed, this is the most likely way that it would be done, especially if criminals get a hold of Mac user email lists.

Even though downloading an unknown attachment that happens to contain a computer virus would probably not cause anything to happen since the virus would most likely be written for a PC, thereís no need to take that risk. The same laws of exercising caution while using the internet apply no matter what type of computer or operating system you might happen to be using.

There are several types of antivirus software that you can purchase or download online that will protect your computer. Buying commercial security software comes with additional benefits like warranties and customer support. However, many computer owners prefer to download free antivirus utilities that are available for download online.

When searching for an antivirus system, there are three key features you want to look for. Regardless of whether it’s a free utility or a purchased one, a good antivirus program will offer all three of these features.

Updates
It is critical that your antivirus software is updated constantly to protect against ever-evolving security threats. The more frequent the updates, the better. Most antivirus utilities offer automatic updates. Your computer must be connected to the internet in order to receive these updates.

Scanning
Scanning functionality allows your hard disks to be scanned and monitored for any potentially harmful elements. Most antivirus software allows you to schedule these scans to be performed routinely or they can be initiated manually.

Internet Protection
A good antivirus utility will protect you from potentially hazardous websites. Some will monitor your web surfing activity in the background, while others may prompt you with warnings before visiting new websites.

So, which antivirus software is right for you? Among the most popular are brands like AVG, Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, and Zone Alarm. All of these widely used utilities are trusted antivirus applications that will effectively protect your computer with cutting edge security technology. Each one offers slightly different features, but they accomplish the same general task and provide a very high level of protection. All of them offer demo versions of their product so that you can test it out and decide for yourself if it is right for you.

One big complaint against two of the aforementioned brands, Norton and McAfee, is that neither of their antivirus utilities come with uninstall options. In other words, once you install the program on your computer, it cannot be removed without reformatting your computer. This can also cause significant problems and conflicts if you choose to not renew your security subscription and then install security software from another company.

As far as free antivirus software, AVG Free Edition and Zone Alarm are among the most popular. AVG is preferred by many because it is a relatively small application and does a great job of not interfering with your regular tasks. Zone Alarm, however, is a slightly larger utility but has a sophisticated feature called Auto Learn. The Auto Learn feature enables the program to update itself based on your activity and preferences. Some users have complained that its routine of requesting user permission every time a new website is visited is a bit annoying, but other users feel that the superior level of security offered by the software is a fair trade-off.

Regardless of which antivirus software you choose to install on your system, be sure to only choose one. Running more than one antivirus program can cause several problems and lead to system instability.