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Signs of a virus: Is your PC infected?
After you open and run an infected program or attachment on your computer, you
might not realize that you've introduced a virus until you notice something
isn't quite right. Here are a few primary indicators that your computer might be
infected.
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ANTI-VIRUS & ANTI-SPYWARE PROGRAMS
These are programs that we believe to be
absolutely essential for maintaining a computer
free from viruses and spyware. Programs alone can't do it, of course; You, the
end user, must use a little common sense as well. The main sources of spyware
are surfing pornographic websites, installing unknown ActiveX components from
unknown websites, installing unknown programs, and not reading the Agreement
License (EULA) before installing a program. Always practice SAFE COMPUTING!
We like these programs because we have used them for years, they work, and, best
of all, they're free! Without further ado, here are the recommendations. Click
on the links to open the websites in a new window:
ANTI-VIRUS
AVG
(essential)
ClamWin (good to have)
Add-in to Microsoft Outlook (not Express) to remove virus-infected attachments
automatically.
ANTI-SPYWARE SCANNERS
Anti-spyware scanners work much like anti-virus applications (such as AVG),
except that instead of scanning your PC for viruses, trojans, and worms, they
scan your computer for spyware, adware, and dialers. We recommend using at least
two anti-spyware scanners regularly, as one will often pick up items that the
other misses. Even after installing an anti-spyware scanner, be sure to keep it
updated because new spyware and adware appears almost daily.
Ad-Aware (essential)
Spybot Search&Destroy (essential)
AVG
Anti-Spyware (essential) This is a
full-featured 30-day free trial version. At the end of the trial period, unless
purchased, the program becomes freeware, with two features removed. Neither
feature affects the program's usefulness.
Microsoft's Windows Defender (good to have)
SUPERAntiSpyware
(good to have)
FIREWALL
NOTE: This is a software program. If you are using a properly configured
router as part of a network, it is not needed (although it can be used) as the
router will provide an effective hardware firewall.
ZoneAlarm (essential)
NOTE: use only one anti-virus program and one firewall program
at a time. Using more than one anti-virus program at the same time, or more than
one firewall program at the same time, could cause system instability and cause
computer crashes.
If you are using a firewall and want to know how effective it is, go to either
one of these sites to run free port scans to see just how protected you really
are:
Shields UP!! HackerWatch
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