| Viruses are roller coaster of a hot topic. | | | | scan that will not protect you in real-time. |
| It seems every time a major virus breaks out, | | | | Grisoft's AVG is a downloadable, free, |
| everyone suddenly becomes concerned about how | | | | real-time protection scanner that has earned |
| well their computer is protected. Well | | | | a dedicated following. However, this product |
| there's a way to never have to worry about it | | | | is only free for personal use, and I've seen |
| and it's all free. | | | | complications arise that result in you paying |
| | | | to have your computer serviced, which can |
| Virus scanners are an integral part of | | | | cost more than any virus scanner. |
| computer and network security, so all I'll | | | | |
| say is that you need a router to protect your | | | | The product that I recommend, and use, is |
| computer from your public IP, and to be | | | | ClamWin. ClamWin is an open source product, |
| careful when accepting unfamiliar emails or | | | | published under the GPL. The program offers |
| pop-up questions. I will cover security in | | | | real-time protection, scheduled scans, and |
| more depth in a later article, but assuming | | | | automatically updates it's virus definitions. |
| you already use these techneaks, on to a | | | | It is a virus scanner, not a "security |
| virus scanner. | | | | suite", and produces a negligible impact on |
| | | | system resources. And since it's an open |
| The two major virus scanners that people are | | | | source product, security is fixed |
| familiar with are McAfee and Norton. Of the | | | | immediately. |
| two, in my experience McAfee seems to wreak | | | | |
| the least amount of havoc on your system | | | | So put your workstation behind a router, get |
| resources. There are other products out | | | | ClamWin, and be cautious (not paranoid) about |
| there such as Trend Micro and Sophos that | | | | what you are doing in the Internet and your |
| seem to do just as good, if not better. | | | | email. The router will allow you to share |
| | | | your internet connection securely throughout |
| But the point is free. There are some highly | | | | your home network saving you time and money. |
| respected free scanners out there, one in | | | | If you feel like you absolutely must buy a |
| particular, that gets the job done. Now | | | | virus scanner, go to and lookup the customer |
| Trend Micro offers a free online virus scan | | | | reviews. This is the best way to get the |
| that works well but I would suggest having a | | | | scoop about which product will best fit your |
| broadband connection. This is a one-time | | | | needs. |