Top-Rated Anti-Virus Program

June 30, 2009 — Mrs. Mecomber

Continuing my series on various anti-virus programs, here’s another I’ve found, newly released: VIPRE Antivirus Software. This one caught me by surprise; I hadn’t heard of it until the good folks at Sunbelt asked me to take a look at it. I’m familiar with Sunbelt programs, having the old Kerio/Sunbelt Firewall on one of my other computers. (Kerio was going to discontinue the firewall, but Sunbelt snatched it a few years ago and renamed it Sunbelt Personal Firewall).Sunbelt has been busy, chugging out some high quality software recently.

The VIPRE software is a suite– a combination anti-virus/anti-spyware. Such combos are becoming more popular, but not every company can get it right. Judging by Sunbelt’s record of reliable software, I’d say VIPRE scores big. There’s a free 15-day trial, and then the software is about $30. VIPRE promises not to slow down or bog down your PC (like the notorious Norton and McAfee programs do). And it was rated 5 out of 5 stars by Download.com (my primary software-download website). Very impressive!

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Go to the Sunbelt website; there you’ll see a plethora of screenshots, FAQs, lots of other information, and the link to download your free trial.

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Posted in anti-virus, security programs. Tags: , , . 3 Comments »

Free Antivirus Programs

March 27, 2009 — Mrs. Mecomber

Every computer should have an anti-virus software program running, as well as a firewall. Back in the early days of the Internet, before baddies like trojans, worms, and viruses were invented and dispersed, security wasn’t much of an issue. But as with all things, people have taken the benefits of technology and have twisted them around for selfish gain. Your computer is severely at risk if you connect online without a firewall and anti-virus.

The great thing is that some people have made terrific software programs and offer them free of charge! And another great thing is that security your computer is easy- it does require effort and maintenance, but it’s not like moving trucks or anything! Here’s a brief list of some highly-rated anti-virus programs.

Some firewalls are now coming with an anti-virus built in to the program. I see that Comodo Pro Firewall (my favorite firewall) now includes an anti-virus. And AVG Anti-Virus Pro version now includes a firewall. I haven’t tested any of these extras: I still use just the Comodo firewall and the separate AVG anti-virus. Be aware that any software maker is going to market the paid-for version. So you may have to look around on the websites for the free version. The free versions give you just as much protection as the paid-for versions, have no fear, and they do regularly update. The paid-for versions usually have more bells and whistles, additional software, and offer tech support. Free versions almost never give tech support; but the forums for the product can be very helpful if you have questions or problems.

Also, be VERY careful where you get your downloads from. There has been a sudden increase in phishing sites set up to sound like or look like the real download site. What you wind up downloading is a trojan! If I ever have any doubts about the website I am on, I check the site with a nifty toolbar called Netcraft. It’s available for Firefox and Internet Explorer. I wrote about Netcraft here.

Install only one anti-virus program on your computer; two or more sometimes conflict with each other. It is also important to keep your anti-virus updated. The updates are crucial, ensuring that the anti-virus program knows what malicious files it needs to watch for.

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Posted in anti-virus, firewalls, free stuff, security programs. Tags: , , . 6 Comments »

Three Steps to Protect Your Computer Before You Go Online

January 29, 2009 — Mrs. Mecomber

I got my first laptop, an HP Pavilion, in 2003; it came pre-loaded with Windows XP. I made the mistake of connecting it to the Internet BEFORE turning on Windows Firewall. (Oddly, Windows Firewall was turned off by default– DUH!). While downloading Windows updates the first few minutes of using the laptop, I was hit with the Blaster worm. My laptop suddenly shut off– *poof* — then restarted. Then shut off, restarted, shut off, restarted…. I was terrified. I’d just bought the thing and it acted like a zombie.

Circuit City customer service told me my laptop had been infected with the Blaster worm. I had to reformat the entire operating system (thank God, Windows supplied disks back then).

It was a good lesson– turn on the Windows Firewall before ever connecting the machine to the Internet. I always use third party firewalls (Comodo), but I always turn the Windows Firewall on before I get the third party download.

Windows Firewall not comes turned ON by default. About time.

Getting a new computer is fun. But you just can’t plug it in to your ethernet and start surfing away. The Internet is too evil to do that, now. Here are some tips:

1.) Activate the Windows Firewall. It’s not the strongest of firewalls, but at least it offers some protection. You can go online, download your third party firewall, and install it. Then, shut off your Windows Firewall.

2.) Download Windows Updates. Oftentimes, computers are preloaded months previously with operating systems. As the weeks or months pass while the computer sits on the shelf, waiting to be purchased, Windows Updats come and go. Security holes are discovered and plugged. You don;t know when your operating system was installed– download the updates first thing. Sometimes this can be a real pain– downloading updates can take hours– you just got a new computer and want to use it! But the updates are important.

3.) Get an anti-virus program going. Windows now has something, I think. But again, I prefer third party (AVG). Download it, update it, and get it going.

You can read more tiips and some how to’s at the Microsoft website, including how to activate the Windows Firewall, which can be difficult to find in XP.

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