How and where to get free anti-virus software?
Why install anti-virus software - Without anti-virus software you are very vulnerable to computer viruses, including:
- Infected email attachments.
- Drive-by infections caused by visiting corrupt websites.
- viruses that attack over the internet ("worms").
- Sypware that is introduced by virus infections.
- Viruses that are spread using macros in application documents.
- Depending on the software you use, it may detect some (but not all) sypware.
- Being infected by a virus can have very serious consequences including:
- Identity theft.
- Fraud.
- Loss of data.
- A slow or unusable computer.
Steps
What anti-virus software does?
Anti-virus software covers the main lines of attack:
- It scans incoming emails for attached viruses.
- It monitors files as they are opened or created to make sure they are not infected.
- It performs periodic scans of every file on the computer.
What anti-virus software does NOT do
Anti-virus software will not protect you against:
- Programs that you choose to install that may contain unwanted features.
- Spam.
- Against any kind of fraud or criminal activity online.
- A hacker trying break into your computer over the internet.
It is not effective if it is switched off for any reason.
It is less effective (and mostly useless) if it is not kept up-to-date with the latest virus signatures.
A virus signature is like a criminal’s mugshot. Each time a new virus is released, security firms analyse it and create a new signature that lets anti-virus software block the new virus.
Standalone anti-virus or security suite?
Most anti-virus software companies sell a standalone program that only scans for viruses as well as security suite packages that include other protective software such as a firewall, spam filtering, anti-spyware and so on.
- Advantages of a suite: a suite should cover all the bases, share a single user interface and be easier and cheaper than buying each individual program separately.
- Drawbacks: while the anti-virus component should be good, sometimes the other elements in a suite aren’t as good as the best of breed software from other suppliers. Also, some of the other components may be available for free.
- For beginners, it is probably best to buy a suite.
For more sophisticated users, consider a pick-and-mix approach and buy a standalone anti-virus product (but don’t forget the other defences).
How to evaluate anti-virus software
The main criteria are:
- Price.
- Review on reputable technical websites such as Cnet.
- How easy it is to set up and use.
- Level and quality of technical support, including the support website.
- Frequency and responsiveness of signature updates. This is hard for most people to evaluate but well-known and reputable software companies should be okay.
Commercial anti-virus software
Many companies make commercial anti-virus software, including:
Free anti-virus software
Tips
Virus protection advice
- Do not open any files attached to an email from an unknown, suspicious or untrustworthy source, no matter how beguiling it may seem.
- Switch on macro protection in Microsoft Office applications like Word and Excel.
- You don’t have to use the anti-virus program that came with your new computer but if you decide to stick with it, don’t forget to subscribe once the free trial period is over so that you stay up-to-date.
- Only use one anti-virus program at a time. Uninstall one anti-virus program before you install another.
- Providing you update virus signatures regularly, as a general rule, you don’t need to buy every single new release of the anti-virus software to stay protected.
- Free online scans are useful diagnostic tools but they are not a substitute for a proper anti-virus program that is installed on your PC. Prevention is better than cure.
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Comments
ClamWin
I use Windows XP on my Desktop and Ubuntu Linux on my Work Laptop. Noted well that Linux has no trouble at all with Spyware, Malware or Viruses. Windows on the Other hand is very difficult, tends to slow down and is very susceptible to these.
I was given CLAMWIN at a Recent Install Fest by a friend and this has been working very well for me. I have used Norton AV 2008 and NOD32 (seperately) before this and none of them seem to work as well.
My conclusion, not because it is free means that it doesn't work as well or better than the commercial brand. ClamWin is also Open Source which I am all in favor of.
Thanks for the advise, and hope that my bit can contribute to the wealth of knowledge found on this site
open source rocks!!!
Hi michael,
I couldn't have have said it better. I am a FOSS zealot. I use open source, wherever i can. There are many scenarios/requirements where open source outperforms commercial proprietary software.
I have not tried ClamWin yet. that's because i boot into Linux most of the times except when i play games. Will give it a try.
Computer virus?
Hi,
@Without anti-virus software you are very vulnerable to //computer viruses//,
please change the term from "computer virus" to "Windows virus"
Because computer is a Hardware (your monitor,keyboard,mouse etc) .I live in a world where i never feared of viruses , They call it Linux! :)
Free Anti Virus
Microsoft just released a new free anti virus patch. Seems very good
Link to download
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/?mkt=en-us
Free Anti Virus
Seth Rosenblatt's review on Microsoft's security essentials can be found at this link
http://trust.eCa.sh/ms_security_essentials_review
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