If you suspect that your PC has been infected by malware (virus, Trojan, adware, spyware, etc.), one of your first stops should be at a web site that allows you to download a free antivirus package.
Many companies offer free programs that are cut-down versions of their commercial products. Some programs are also available as freeware or Open Source. In general, these antivirus programs are free for non-commercial use only. This means that the program can only be used at home or college and is for your personal use only. If you use the program at work, or install it on more than one computer system at a time, you are usually required to pay for it.
Some companies ask you to register the software before using it. Registration is often required if you want to be able to update the program via the Internet. Although it might be a little inconvenient, registration costs nothing and helps software developers continue to let people use their programs for free.
Although antivirus programs may offer lots of different features, most work in basically the same way. When the program first starts, there is a short delay while it checks the computer's memory and other locations for signs of virus infection. Next, the program will usually attempt to update its internal database of virus information via the Internet. The amount of time this takes will vary according to the speed of your Internet connection but shouldn't take more than a minute of two. Once any updates have been downloaded, the program will then carry out a full scan of your machine. This can take a long time, so be prepared to wait patiently or, better still, go and grab a coffee!
When the scan is complete, a list of infected files will be displayed, together with details of the viruses found. You can then choose how to deal with each virus. Typical options include repairing infected files, deleting them or placing them in quarantine. Repairing a file involves removing the virus and restoring the file to its previous condition. No data will be lost and the file can be used as normal. If a file can not be repaired, sometimes the only option is to delete it. Once deleted, the file can not be recovered and any data it contained will be lost forever. If an infected file can not be repaired, it can sometimes be placed in quarantine until such time as a way of removing the virus is found. Although the file is not deleted, it will not be possible to use it until it can be repaired. Quarantined files can remain inaccessible for weeks, months or even years. Sometimes, it becomes clear that it will never be possible to repair a quarantined file, leaving no choice but to delete it.
If an antivirus program fails to detect any viruses, this does not necessarily mean that the computer is "clean". It may simply be that the particular program you are using is unable to identify certain viruses. Similarly, while one program may fail to repair files infected by a particular virus, another may be more successful. For this reason, it is always a good idea to check your computer with two or more antivirus programs if you suspect a virus infection. Under normal circumstances only one package needs to be installed permanently.
As mentioned earlier, all of the programs listed here can be used completely free of charge. In addition, all are offered by companies with good reputations in the field. Please remember that there will be many occasions when free antivirus scanners are not convenient or appropriate.
Since direct links are not allowed in articles of this kind, copy and paste the addresses given below into your browser.
Comodo Antivirus
(http://www.antivirus.comodo.com)
BitDefender Free Edition
(http://www.bitdefender.com/site/Main/view/Download-Free-Products.html?menu_id=2)
PC Tools AntiVirus Free Edition
(http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus)
AVG Free Edition
(http://free.grisoft.com/doc)
ClamWin
(http://www.clamwin.com)
avast! 4 Home Edition
(http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html)
Avira AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic
(http://www.free-av.com)
Paul Edwards is the psudonym of one of the UK's best-selling authors in the area of ICT. He earns his living as a freelance writer and consultant, specialising in cybercrime and computer security. More information on protecting your computer from viruses, spyware, hackers and other threats can be found at [http://www.protect-your-pc.co.uk/]
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Edwards
Find more about Download Free Antivirus here;
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
5 Tips to Download Free Anti Spyware Software
Earlier viruses were considered to the biggest threat for a PC. But the situation has changed now. Out of every 10 internet connected PC's, 9 are infected with spyware. So this situation has badly affected the businesses. In a recent survey, FBI has revealed that every company is spending about $265 for the repair works done because of SpyWare infections.
If this is the case at organization level, then could you imagine the situation of personal computers? So the PC makers are creating an awareness to run antispyware application. Some of the PC makers have started giving inbuilt free antispyware along with anti virus application. But as this is a purely a trial version limited to 30 days, you need to download the best apyware protection software for your PC.
By downloading and running an effective anti spyware software, you can protect the PC from potential security threats and data loss. Here is the list of 5 tips to Download free anti spyware software:
1. Free Download & Solid Protection:
The antispyware software vendor should provide a free download of the PC. This eases you to analyze the performance of the PC without purchasing it. Moreover, the spyware protection software should provide a comprehensive protection against all the SpyWare, adware and other malicious programs. It should contain a good signature database to fight millions of potential infections.
2. Automatic Updates:
The spyware removal application should update automatically. This will ensure that the spyware signatures would be updated regularly so as to stay be in tune with the latest security protection. Stay away from manual updated free anti SpyWare softwares. If you forget to update the software, then it will become outdated and ineffective to use.
3. Real-time Protection:
Some free spyware removal software's eliminate the malicious applications only when you scan the PC manually. But what you need is an anti SpyWare software that provides a real time protection. This will enable the software to block the SpyWare even before it tries to access the PC.
4. Customizable Scan:
You should select the best anti SpyWare for your PC that has customizable scan feature. With this you can schedule the scan even if you are not in front of your PC. The customizable scan will give you the maximum protection for your PC.
5. Satisfaction Guarantee:
The spyware removal software should give 100% satisfaction guarantee for the users. So if at all, you are not satisfied with the performance of the anti SpyWare, then you should be provided with a 100% money back guarantee for the claims made within 30 day period.
With anti SpyWare regular scan, you can protect your PC even while connected to the internet. So download the best anti SpyWare protection for your PC.e
Cher K Markov is an Internet Marketer. In her quest to protect her own PC, she has researched into PC security resources including Free Anti SpyWare. Here's the site that makes your decision easy, secured and risk free - Free Anti SpyWare Download Review.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cher_K_Markov
Find more about Download Free Antivirus here;
If this is the case at organization level, then could you imagine the situation of personal computers? So the PC makers are creating an awareness to run antispyware application. Some of the PC makers have started giving inbuilt free antispyware along with anti virus application. But as this is a purely a trial version limited to 30 days, you need to download the best apyware protection software for your PC.
By downloading and running an effective anti spyware software, you can protect the PC from potential security threats and data loss. Here is the list of 5 tips to Download free anti spyware software:
1. Free Download & Solid Protection:
The antispyware software vendor should provide a free download of the PC. This eases you to analyze the performance of the PC without purchasing it. Moreover, the spyware protection software should provide a comprehensive protection against all the SpyWare, adware and other malicious programs. It should contain a good signature database to fight millions of potential infections.
2. Automatic Updates:
The spyware removal application should update automatically. This will ensure that the spyware signatures would be updated regularly so as to stay be in tune with the latest security protection. Stay away from manual updated free anti SpyWare softwares. If you forget to update the software, then it will become outdated and ineffective to use.
3. Real-time Protection:
Some free spyware removal software's eliminate the malicious applications only when you scan the PC manually. But what you need is an anti SpyWare software that provides a real time protection. This will enable the software to block the SpyWare even before it tries to access the PC.
4. Customizable Scan:
You should select the best anti SpyWare for your PC that has customizable scan feature. With this you can schedule the scan even if you are not in front of your PC. The customizable scan will give you the maximum protection for your PC.
5. Satisfaction Guarantee:
The spyware removal software should give 100% satisfaction guarantee for the users. So if at all, you are not satisfied with the performance of the anti SpyWare, then you should be provided with a 100% money back guarantee for the claims made within 30 day period.
With anti SpyWare regular scan, you can protect your PC even while connected to the internet. So download the best anti SpyWare protection for your PC.e
Cher K Markov is an Internet Marketer. In her quest to protect her own PC, she has researched into PC security resources including Free Anti SpyWare. Here's the site that makes your decision easy, secured and risk free - Free Anti SpyWare Download Review.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cher_K_Markov
Find more about Download Free Antivirus here;
Friday, March 19, 2010
Top 5 of The Best Free Antivirus
Free Antivirus Software - 5 of the Best Free Antivirus and Malware Software Packages in 2010
Help my computer is infected with a virus. You hear this nearly every day from your friends and office colleagues. Computer viruses and spyware are unfortunately widespread and are part of our everyday lives. The best way to avoid or at least minimize the chances of your PC getting a virus is to install some antivirus software. Some of the best performing and most effective free antivirus applications include:
1. AVG Free Edition - The program has an easy to use interface which enables you to perform a virus scan with ease. By default, it is configured to perform a daily virus and malware scan, which is a highly recommend task that all Internet users should do. It features daily automatic updates to ensure the program is aware of the latest virus or worm that has been released on the Internet. Overall, it is simply a great well designed antivirus application.
2. Avira Free Antivirus - This program features a nice interface and includes automatic daily scheduled virus updates and scans. The simple user interface makes scanning of your PC system easy and effective. You can schedule when the automatic scans occur and its real time scanning keeps you safe from all malicious email attachments. This is a great software package which I highly recommend.
3. Avast Free Antivirus - With this latest version, the developers have updated the interface into a slick looking, easy to navigate software tool. It features a super fast real-time antivirus and antispyware scanning engine. The developers have made this version a more light-weight program, meaning that it uses less of your PC's system resources. After you have downloaded it, you can run it for up to 60 days, and then you need to register your free version. Overall this new version has a nice professional interface, from a software vendor with a long history in the Antivirus market.
4. PC Tools Threat Fire Free - PC Tools have a very good name in Internet security products, and this free Antivirus software package is no exception. It features a nice, simple to navigate user interface and has the usual automatic updates, and real-time scanning of virus and spyware. This software tool is somewhat different from more traditional antivirus software packages in that it takes a more pro-active approach to virus threat detection. Threat Fire pro-actively scans for suspected virus activity before the virus actually strikes or infects the PC. This is an excellent feature for an antivirus program and it does this without using much of the PC's resources. Overall, it is as good choice, if you want to take a more proactive approach to virus and spyware detection
5. Panda Could Free Antivirus - Panda Cloud is a relatively new software product and it designed to run mainly of Windows Net books and the so called thin client PC's. Due to the growing popularity of Net book style laptops, a free antivirus product like this is very much needed. The main problem with running traditional antivirus software on Net books, is that due to their limited CPU and hardware performance, they can at times run somewhat slow. This is where Panda Cloud comes into its own. Although it lacks some of the features of other antivirus programs, it is a good choice for this next generation on Windows Net books.
Stephen Tracey is an IT Engineer with over 20 years experience in the IT Industry. Visit Free-PCHelp for more tips on how to remove spyware, viruses and malware.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Tracey
Find more about Download Free Antivirus here;
Help my computer is infected with a virus. You hear this nearly every day from your friends and office colleagues. Computer viruses and spyware are unfortunately widespread and are part of our everyday lives. The best way to avoid or at least minimize the chances of your PC getting a virus is to install some antivirus software. Some of the best performing and most effective free antivirus applications include:
1. AVG Free Edition - The program has an easy to use interface which enables you to perform a virus scan with ease. By default, it is configured to perform a daily virus and malware scan, which is a highly recommend task that all Internet users should do. It features daily automatic updates to ensure the program is aware of the latest virus or worm that has been released on the Internet. Overall, it is simply a great well designed antivirus application.
2. Avira Free Antivirus - This program features a nice interface and includes automatic daily scheduled virus updates and scans. The simple user interface makes scanning of your PC system easy and effective. You can schedule when the automatic scans occur and its real time scanning keeps you safe from all malicious email attachments. This is a great software package which I highly recommend.
3. Avast Free Antivirus - With this latest version, the developers have updated the interface into a slick looking, easy to navigate software tool. It features a super fast real-time antivirus and antispyware scanning engine. The developers have made this version a more light-weight program, meaning that it uses less of your PC's system resources. After you have downloaded it, you can run it for up to 60 days, and then you need to register your free version. Overall this new version has a nice professional interface, from a software vendor with a long history in the Antivirus market.
4. PC Tools Threat Fire Free - PC Tools have a very good name in Internet security products, and this free Antivirus software package is no exception. It features a nice, simple to navigate user interface and has the usual automatic updates, and real-time scanning of virus and spyware. This software tool is somewhat different from more traditional antivirus software packages in that it takes a more pro-active approach to virus threat detection. Threat Fire pro-actively scans for suspected virus activity before the virus actually strikes or infects the PC. This is an excellent feature for an antivirus program and it does this without using much of the PC's resources. Overall, it is as good choice, if you want to take a more proactive approach to virus and spyware detection
5. Panda Could Free Antivirus - Panda Cloud is a relatively new software product and it designed to run mainly of Windows Net books and the so called thin client PC's. Due to the growing popularity of Net book style laptops, a free antivirus product like this is very much needed. The main problem with running traditional antivirus software on Net books, is that due to their limited CPU and hardware performance, they can at times run somewhat slow. This is where Panda Cloud comes into its own. Although it lacks some of the features of other antivirus programs, it is a good choice for this next generation on Windows Net books.
Stephen Tracey is an IT Engineer with over 20 years experience in the IT Industry. Visit Free-PCHelp for more tips on how to remove spyware, viruses and malware.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Tracey
Find more about Download Free Antivirus here;
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