- Computer Protection?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Several asked me what programs I use for Anti-Virus Protection. I realize that many of you are FAR BEYOND what I will list here.  You have been much wiser that I.  I am glad you use what works for you to protect your computer and your files from viruses. 

 

I use a number of things. One program I purchased and use.  Additionally I use free programs. YES, I really do use BOTH.

 

And where do we get those viruses?  It could be from unwanted junk e-mail. It could be from the "Spam" that goes everywhere. It could be from someone you know who sends you a forwarded e-mail that looks "so cute." 

 

Most people almost always dodge (and don't read) those e-mails that say: Subject: FW:, FW:, FW:....  You know them. 

 

Many computers are used primarily for work. A virus can shut the computer down for days (recently for over a week) Those FW:'s are very hard to SCAN and locate a potential virus.  Most computer EXPERTS tell you: "DO NOT OPEN them"  And, guess where I got my last virus?  I decided to do what the EXPERTS told me to not do...and opened a forwarded message of something that really was cute...but it carried a piggy-back virus called a trojan.  It  It plagued me for several weeks and cost me a lot of time and money.

 

 

First, you can buy a good anit-virus program. There are many.  Since Symantec Corporation's Main Office is in Springfield, many Oregonians own and pay for subscriptions to their product.  Comcast (and other Internet Service Providers (ISP) often provide Norton's or McAfee products to protect your equipment.

 

What else can you do? Develop a policy of what you will download.  Be careful. There may be a virus in the "cute little story" . . . or that promise "you just won something..." How will you know?  You may not until your computer starts to give you problems, slowing down, or sending out spurious e-mails without your knowledge.

 

 

The following tells of a free computer anti-virus scanning programs that will help rid your computer of VIRUSES.  I will also tell you about removing the spyware and those pesky pop-up ads from your computer.  Again, these programs are FREE.  Their companies often offer you a reasonably priced upscale software for sale as well, or you can donate to them because you appreciate the service. But the "freebies" do work.

 

ALL IN ALL, these companies desire to help us rid our computers of viruses. 

 

What do I use on my personal computer and the ones at the WVBA?  While I pay for Norton's Anti-Virus for each separate computer, periodically, I also use the free Trend Micro site to "double-check" Norton's (and YES, I found some viruses that Norton missed). Additionally, I run LavaSoft's Adaware each week.This rids my computer of Ads and pop-ups . . . we get them at the office quite often.  I also run Spybot to do the same.

 

I am not fond of viruses. It has cost me hundreds of hours and frustration and it slowed our systems to a crawl. One time apparently it cost me a hard drive!  So, I am telling you something that works for me.  This "free stuff" works!

TREND MICRO Company:  This free web site will actually SCAN your computer while you are ON LINE for any viruses and help you clean them off.  I run this in addition to everything else ( I run this about once a month). After finally getting Norton's to work well and with the help of Adaware and Spybot, the Trend Micro software has not found any additional viruses in over two months.  I continue to be careful and run it.

 

Go to  www.housecall.trendmicro.com  and follow the prompts.  You will need to select your hard drive (usually C: and check Auto-clean as well... then SCAN.

 

Another free anti-virus software for getting rid of viruses is called: AVG  If you look closely at many e-mails you receive, near the bottom it may say that the e-mail was scanned by AVG and is certified virus-free.  Yep, here is that FREE product.

 

Go to   www.grisoft.com  Then look for the latest FREE software. It is the AVG 7.0 edition. It should be easy to locate.  They do want to sell software, but the FREE one is there.  AND, once you have it downloaded to your computer, the updating with the latest anti-virus definitions is an easy, almost instantaneous process. Be sure to ask for the latest updates BEFORE you scan your software the first time.

 

Another good and FREE anti-virus program, Avast, can be found at the following link.  Check it out as well. 

 

 

 

The best place I have found is: www.microsoft.com/spyware   This takes you to a GREAT PAGE on Microsoft's network.  Take the time to carefully read the links and learn about spyware.

 

On the RIGHT HAND COLUMN, about five inches down is a section called, TOOLS.

 

In that section it has a LINK you can click to go to Lavasoft. Then, download their free software. This is a company in Sweden which has a unique product they are making available FREE.

 

SECOND TIME:  

Go Back to the same link: www.microsoft.com/spyware   and to the Tools, passing the Lavasoft link.  You will see Spybot: Search and Destroy.  Click on that link and you can download that software as well.

 

You are now on your way with Lavasoft and Spybot to rid your computer of pop-up ads and spyware.  You should run these two programs AT LEAST every week. Because I am on the internet more than many others,I run mine about twice a week, and nearly every time, I find some "Critters" on my computer. I found five in the last two days!  I deleted them.

 

Then, there is the matter of a firewall.  So, what is that?  Well, in the simple terms that I understand, it is a programmable WALL that you TEACH what is good to do and what you DO NOT want to happen. It learns from what you teach it to do.

 

Search the internet for free firewalls. They are out there. One good place to look is www.download.com  a site that alerts you to new and sometimes free programs.  Ask questions. There is also a firewall included in Windows XP as well as one called "Sygate."  Do a google search and find on that meets your needs.

 

When you install a firewall, you will teach it what is OK and what is NOT.  You teach it what you want it to do every time, and what it must ask permission to do.

 

Example: You click on your E-Mail program.  It tells you that (in my case) MSN is trying to access the internet.  You give it permission to either (1) allow MSN to access it every time it tries, or (2) to Ask you every time MSN wants to connect to the Internet.  That is OUTGOING.

 

For  a free FIREWALL check out ASHAMPOO, here is a linki to get it.

  

  

Ashampoo will also notify you EVERY TIME someone is trying to access your computer.  You can tell it to either (1) all that particular program to come into your computer, or (2) ASK you every time that it contacts you.  Ah ha!  That is a firewall!