AntiVirus Help for the Novice
From the Desk of Butch Bridges Lone Grove, Oklahoma
Email Butch Bridges
Updated March 7, 2010
I am going to list the what I believe the best free programs to keep your home computer from viruses and spyware. If fact I am going to re-word the previous sentence to spyware and virusus, since spyware is the number 1 problem for any computer. I like to tell people that the odds of you getting a virus is slim to none, but the odds of you getting spyware on your computer is 100%.
1. OpenDNS SERVICE
OpenDNS is a website that automatically protects your computer from thousands of questionable and harmful websites worldwide. You don't download and install any program on your computer. You only change the 2 DNS numbers in the LOCAL AREA NETWORK CONNECTION in your computer's settings. The setting is in the TCP/IP SETTING. They have easy to follow directions on their website. This is truly a must have service.
2. SECURITY ESSENTIALS by MICROSOFT
This is a free program by Microsoft that works in real time to keep viruses and spyware off your computer. This is the best anti-virus and spyware program I've ran across yet. Its very small, not like the huge memory hogs like Norton Antivirus, and runs in the background using hardly any of your memory. If it detects any suspicious activity i.e. spyware or trojan, a box pops up in the lower right hand corner of your screen warning you. All you do is is click the CLEAN button in the center of the box, and presto chango, its gone!
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials
3. MALWAREBYTES
This is a great freeware program for removing malware, trojans and spyware. Make sure you download from malwarebytes.org's website.
In my opinion the above 3 programs are a Must Have on your home computer.
Now, with the above said, there are also other free programs that work well.
SPYBOT ANTISPYWARE
This is a freeware program that not only finds and removes spyware and trojans, but also blocks 1,000s of bad websites that might download such things to your computer using their immunize feature. Just remember to run Spybot's IMMUNIZE feature at least once a week along with the scan of the hard drive. There are lots of fake spybot programs on the net, make sure yours is downloaded form safer-networking.org's website (a 'dash' in the center).
http://www.safer-networking.org/
AVG ANTIVIRUS AND SPYWARE PROGRAM
Grisoft's AVG is one of the best anti-virus programs I found on the internet. It does a great job, and they still offer their Free version. It's licensing is only for home use with their free version.
Regardless if you purchase one of the commercial antivirus programs like Norton or McAfee or one of the free antivirus programs, if you don't keep the DAT files updated, you are wasting your time. With new viruses coming out daily, it is imparitive to keep the DAT files current no matter which program you use. Most programs, including AVG Antivirus allows you to either manually or automatically schedule updates.
One important note on antivirus programs. Be sure you only have one program on your computer at a time. Two on your computer will only slow it down. I did have AVG, installed Microsoft's Security Essentials, and my computer slowed way down. I uninstalled AVG and it back to normal.
Equally important is to keep your Microsoft Internet Browser updated. (Sorry, I do not know about Netscape or other browers.) Updating your Microsoft browser is easy to do. When you are on the Internet, just click on TOOLS tab at the top of the Page and then WINDOWS UPDATE. Just follow the prompts and install any critical security files or updates recommended by Microsoft.
Microsoft Update Site
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Below are some neat freeware programs I call "can't live without programs". Some I have been using a many years. But I will pass along those little freeware gems as I run across them below.
TODO BACKUP
I have been using Acronis Backup to back up my computer's hard drive every week for several years. It works great but it's not a free program (about $30). Last week I found a completely Free program that works just as good as Acronis. Its called ToDo Backup. ToDo Backup is so easy to use, end if you have external drive or second drive in your computer to back up to, just give the location and a file name, and click Backup. And you can click on the Tools Tab and make a emergency boot CD in case your computer won't even boot up into Windows (which I've had happen to me before).
http://www.todo-backup.com/PRINT DESKTOP
Remember the old PrintScreen key we could use in DOS? That sure was a nice feature and we all wish sometimes it was available to us under Windows. I ran across the neatest freeware called PrintDesktop that will allow us to do just that, print what we see on screen.HUNTER SCREEN CAPTURE
An easy-to-use screen capture tool that allows you to capture the content of your desktop or any window with the click of your mouse. Screenhunter supports BMP, GIF and JPG.http://wisdom-soft.com/products/screenhunter_free.htm
EUSING REGISTRY CLEANER
After removing spyware and trojans using the above programs, you need to run a registery cleaner to get rid of any lingering remnants. I have found Eusing's free cleaner works fine, and so easy to use. Just 3 things you can do with it. 1. Scan for problems. 2. Remove problems. 3. Restore to previous state. When I ran it the first time in November 09 it found 530 problems, and removed all of them, rebooted, and my computer ran faster!http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm
TIGHT VNC
TightVNC is a freeware program that allows you to remote control (works like MS Remote Acces) to another computer. Once you are attached to the other computer its just as if you are sitting right there in front of it. Sure comes in handy for accessing your home computer from work, or helping a friend with his computer problem, and remote diagnosing. The program has 2 modules. One is for Server Mode and the other is Viewer Mode. Example: start TightVNC Server module on your home computer. At work run Viewer module, enter your home's IP and presto, you are now viewing your home computer screen. Just be sure and enter a password for the Server Module so others can not access your home computer.
Return to Home Page