Antivirus Blog

In order to ensure that you are fully protected from viruses and other types of malicious applications, you should consider running antivirus software on your system. Even the most experienced computer users who are well versed in the art of avoiding viruses still run antivirus software as an additional safeguard. The potential loss of data that a virus can cause makes having maximum security for your PC a must.

Antivirus software functions in two main ways. Its large database of known viruses allows it to scan files and folder on your computer and compare them with virus data to make sure that viruses are not present and files are not infected. In addition, antivirus software provides constant system monitoring to alert you of any suspicious activity that might otherwise go undetected. Part of this monitoring process involves creating hidden decoy files that act as bait to see if a lingering virus attempts to alter them. If this occurs, the program identifies it as a virus and alerts the computer owner immediately.

The two largest providers of antivirus software are Norton and McAfee. Both commercial software companies offer premium security software that is regularly updated as part of their annual subscriptions. Each product offers the same basic functions, and both are well equipped to protect any PC. They tend to be a bit more expensive then other brands, but they are among the most trusted in the industry.

If you’d rather not pay for antivirus protection, there are free alternatives available. One such program is offered by AVG as their “Free Edition”. It’s a relatively small yet effective antivirus application that’s quite popular for being free and also for using very little system resources (so it doesn’t noticeably affect computer performance). AVG is a also a great option for those with older model computers that might not support more elaborate antivirus software.

If you’d simply like to run a check to see if your system is infected but do not wish do actually download and install an antivirus program, you can take advantage of TrendMicro’s HouseCall website. By visiting the website and clicking “Scan Now”, you can perform an immediate scan of your computer that will check for any viruses without the need to install any software, completely free of charge. Although it is very useful to determine if your computer has any infections, it may not help you to actually correct problems that might be discovered. In general, it is not considered a good idea to operate a PC that is not protected with some sort of antivirus software, especially if it is connected to the internet.

It is recommended to try out different antivirus software before deciding which one you’d like to continue using. Most paid antivirus programs offer a free trial version that you can download from their website and will allow you to get a feel for the software before deciding to make a purchase. However, if you test several antivirus products, always make sure that you uninstall each one before installing a new one. Having two antivirus applications running simultaneously can cause system instability.

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.

Computer viruses are no fun for anyone. While some are simply small annoyances, others can cause serious permanent damage to your computer. If you want to keep your PC protected, you’ll need some type of antivirus software installed.
Among the most popular providers of antivirus software are Norton and McAfee. Several other smaller companies as well as even some ISPs like AOL also offer their own brand of antivirus software. However, Norton and McAfee have been the dominating the antivirus industry for quite a while.
Before getting into exactly how antivirus programs work, let’s take a closer look at how viruses themselves are contracted and then infect a computer.
Contrary to popular belief, possible ways to contract computer viruses are not limited simply to opening malicious email attachments, although it is still the most common way that viruses are contracted. Such attachments are usually .exe files (executable files) that release a code when saved that performs a programmed action on your computer. Possible actions include gathering private information saved on your computer like passwords or credit card numbers and then relaying it back to the sender of the email, or in some cases it might permanently delete information on your computer or even completely wipe out your hard drive.
Another common way of getting a computer virus is by visiting a website hosted on an infected server. These viruses are passed through the internet connection and make their way onto your computer. The possible intents of these viruses include the ones mentioned earlier along with others.

So, how does antivirus software combat these problems? Basically, the main function of antivirus software is to quickly detect this type of intrusion and to take the appropriate action to minimize or ideally eliminate the threat.
First, the antivirus program will attempt to delete the file before it can be saved to your hard drive. If it succeeds, the threat is eradicated and it is as if the malicious file never appeared on your computer.

If a virus manages to infect one or more files on your computer, the antivirus software will then try to repair the infected file(s). If it is successful, then again, your computer will revert to how it was and it will be as if the infection never occurred.

In the event that both of the first two steps are unsuccessful, and an infected file cannot be repaired, it will be moved to quarantine where it cannot spread to other files on your computer. By this point, there may have already been damage done to files that need to be replaced. If the file was a part of software on your computer, that software may need to be reinstalled to correct the problem. Damage to personal files such as photos, videos, or music may be permanent and those files may not be recoverable.

So, how does antivirus software go about detecting viruses? Well, essentially it has a database filled with information about known viruses. It scans every single file on your PC and checks it against that master list to ensure that none of them are infected or malicious. If a virus match is found, the program will prompt you immediately with a warning that will inform you of the name and type of virus and then it will initiate the removal process.

No antivirus software can provide you with 100% guaranteed protection from viruses or other types of malware, but you are far safer with it installed than without it. Using a little common sense and diligence online to avoid contracting a virus is the only way to completely protect your system.