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Avast Home Edition 4.8.1229.80923 is a free antivirus, and it was released this year September 23, 2008. Even if it was just released less than a month (since the date today is Oct 8), 30,937,233 people have already downloaded this program at Download.com. Even the Editor of Download.com has given Avast Home Edition a perfect score 5/5. It just proves that Avast Home Edition is a program worthy for our attention. This program has the following workings, according to the publisher’s description: On demand scanner with skinnable simple interface, choose what you want to scan and just press the play button; On access scanner, special providers to protect the most of available e-mail clients; Instant messaging–ICQ, Miranda; Network traffic–intrusion detection, lightweight firewall; P2P protection for Kazaa, BitTorrent; Web shield–monitors and filters all HTTP traffic; NNTP scanner–scans all Usenet Newsgroup traffic and all operations with files on PC; Boot time scanner–scans disks in the same way and in the same time as Windows CHKDSK does.
If you encounter a virus attack, do something at once to prevent the spread of the virus to your system. First, concentrate on the kind of virus to remove the malicious code. There are tools which are available online tailored for that specific virus causing the damage. Next is to see the range of the damage done. If the operating system is completely destroyed, you will have to reinstall. This can be done by using the quick restore CD that comes with your computer. But before you start the process, make sure that you have the necessary information like licenses, registration and serial numbers available. Then do a thorough virus scan of your network. Be sure your anti-virus software is recently updated and that your security patches are up-to-date to prevent future attacks.
The AVG free edition anti-virus is the most common used anti-virus software or protection tool. AVG is enclosed with automatic updates whenever you turn on your computers. In fact, for as long as the product lives, the user of this protection tool will be privileged to make use of it. AVG Free is trouble-free to use and will not slow your system down (low system resource requirements). Special Features include automatic update functionality, AVG Resident Shield that provides real-time protection as files are opened and programs are run, free Virus Database Updates for the lifetime of the product, and AVG Virus Vault for safe handling of infected files.
By having any anti-virus installed on your computer, you are allowing your computer files and programs to be protected from any harm that a certain virus can do. But like any other virus, it is still best to prevent it than curing it. Being meticulously selective in downloading files from the internet is still the best way to prevent virus from intruding your system. Here are some tips to avoid or prevent computer virus.
1. Use an internet firewall
2. Subscribe to industry standard anti-virus software
3. Never open an e-mail attachment from someone you don’t know.
4. Avoid opening an e-mail attachment from someone you know, unless you know exactly what the attachment is. The sender may be unaware that it contains a virus.
There are many anti virus to choose from, whether it is free of charge or with charge. Mushrooming of anti virus helps people to have it installed in their computers to help them update it, but what is the edge of having it installed? One of my cousins asked me why her internet connection is way too slow together with the booting of her computer. I ask her about how much her computer’s memory is. There is no problem about the memory, because it is sufficient. So I consider asking about the internet connection, and it is one of the internet providers that allow highest speed of loading. The last thing I considered to ask is anti-virus system. I ask her if is there any anti-virus installed in her computer. She said no, with that answer, it gave me the idea that maybe there are a lot of viruses attached to her computer that slows the functioning of the internet as well as the booting or loading of her desktop unit.
Having anti-virus software installed on your computer gives you the opportunity to update the vaults of your computer locating now infected areas wherein viruses are attached. It can heal or treat the infected area emptying the vault crammed with virus. It also allows you to be at ease in downloading stuffs from the internet. Anti-virus scans the computer even the hardware such as flash drives that maybe infected by a virus, at the same time healing it if virus is present before making access.
Good protection against viruses does not have to be expensive. Some free programs that have won recognition for their anti-virus capabilities are available for you to download for free. Try Avira AntiVir Personal Edition Classic. According to one reviewer:
AntiVir’s scans are flexible, allowing the user to fully scan all hard drives, choose a preloaded scan–for rootkits, for example–or customize a scan… The quarantine is extensively thorough, too… The help features in AntiVir were excellent, with a description box relaying mouse-over information on each feature. AntiVir’s volume of features might take a while to get used to, but as long as the definitions file updates keep coming, this app’s a keeper.
All system in technology, paying particular attention with file-sharing on computers via internet access can encounter a lot of problems. Problems usually occur when your computer meets virus attached to the file that will be shared. Some are actually harmless, but generally speaking, any more or less does not change the substance of the virus. It is still a virus. One way of establishing anti-virus strategies is to be choosy of the anti-virus to be installed in your computer. You must also assess for the susceptibility of your computer for viruses especially when sending and receiving files from other network. It is also essential that the anti-virus to be installed in your computer is p to date to meet new threats head-on and quickly. You must also have to make sure that the anti-virus you have in your computer functions well-coordinated to protect your files from being infected at a large enterprise. This ensures that all the entry of virus shall be blocked or stopped before they spread on your system.
The next criteria is the effectiveness in determining viruses and worms. A top notch anti-virus program should be able to quickly identify traces of worms and viruses by the use of real-time system scanning. Another criteria would be the capability of an anti-virus program to actively notify users regarding the latest system threats. Scan results should also be easy to read and understand. An effective anti-virus program should also be well-rounded by offering a set of essential features that provides complete and absolute system protection. The last criteria deals with the help documentation. An anti-virus software that can be considered as high-end should have a wide list of help topics. It should also provide support through email and real-time chat or through a telephone line. FAQ’s should cover a wide array of details and issues regarding the anti-virus software.
There are a lot of components that can cause virus on your computer. One is downloading on the internet not knowing that it is infected with virus. Virus is attached with the program or file that you are to download. If the all downloads have been completed and unfortunately, it has virus, it will be transmitted to other files or programs in your computer infecting them. Another one is accepting or receiving files from other sources (from other computer directly to your computer). It is convenient to receive or accept files directly to your computer from another computer. Because it takes you little time to receive it. However, it is also a disadvantage when it comes to scanning it for any virus. If you are to accept or receive files from other source, it will be directly stored or saved on you computer. If the files that you have received is infected with virus, like what was said earlier, it will affect or infect the other files regardless of its status whether it is infected or not. So if you are to download, receive or accept, even install programs or software on your computer, observe precautionary measures to prevent computer virus that may blocked your access to the files that had been infected.
An effective and top notch anti-virus software should be easy to install and use. It should be capable of effectively seeking out and identifying threats caused by malware. A powerful anti-virus program should also be capable of cleaning and isolating infected files.
When looking for the right anti-virus program for your computer, be sure to consider the availability and the proficiency of the product’s technical support.
TopTenREVIEWS, which is known to help people in choosing products by making comparisons and in-depth reviews, has provided a set of product evaluation criteria for anti-virus software applications.
The first criteria is the ease of use. This means that an anti-virus product should be simple and user-friendly. To be continued.
