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