Computer Technology Tip
Selecting the Proper Anti Virus/Spyware Programs Last month I wrote about computer performance and what programs affect the amount of time it takes to boot a computer. Large programs typically anti-virus and all-in-one Internet security suites, take a big bite out of your computer's resources particularly when they start. Let's take a look at the programs I use all the time and recommend. What do you need to protect you against malicious programs without going overboard? You need an anti-virus, anti-spyware, and a firewall program. Sounds like an Internet Security suite is the answer. Wrong!! The best way to handle computer security is with individual programs that are designed to do one job. There are hundreds of programs out there but which ones to choose? There are ones sold in the office and computer stores such as Norton, McAfee, Trend Micro, Panda, and many more. They are all popular names but are they the best for you? They are probably not. I have used Avast Home Edition anti-virus (www.avast.com) for a number of years with excellent results. I've used it on other computers with equal results. It's stable and doesn't interfere with other programs. Best of all it doesn't slow the computer down like other anti-virus programs. One other benefit it's free! You might think how good can it be if it is free? Actually it's rated very highly and above some of the popular names mentioned earlier. How do they make money if it is free? Avast has corporate editions they charge for but the Home Edition for personal use is free. My recommendation for an anti-spyware program is Spyware Terminator (www.spywareterminator.com). This program does for spyware intrusion what Avast does for viruses. It also is stable and doesn't slow the computer down and guess what - it's free. Both programs have free automatic updating and real time protection to guard you when you are on the Internet. You just can't do much better. Download these two programs, uninstall your Norton or McAfee program, and install these two programs. Your computer will show a marked improvement. I don't recommend installing a separate firewall program. They can be troublesome with annoying pop-up messages to allow this or that program access to the Internet. Besides, Windows XP has a built-in firewall that is adequate. All anti-virus/spyware programs require some configuration. Avast and Spyware Terminator are no exception. To achieve the best protection without annoying pop-up messages please come to the PC Club meetings every second Tuesday of the month. We meet at 7:00 pm upstairs in Winfield Hall. You can learn how to install and configure these programs for optimum use and protection. Don Trauger
To get answers to your questions about computers, please come to the PC Club meeting. The computer club
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