Virus Protection

Virus-Protection

Ninety percent (90%) of all viruses comes through your email whether you open it or not. When I say viruses I mean anything (malware, adware, Trojans, exploits, key loggers, reporters, blue pill, purple pill, spyware, blot ware, bad code, etc…) that can harm your computer (laptop, workstation, server, desktop, cell phone).

The other 10% comes from shared software, p2p sites, key generators, mp3’s, pictures, movies, videos, and drive by-download sites. Today, you need protection from all of them. Contrary to popular believes, all operating system get some type of virus. However, the more popular the OS, the more viruses. Those include Windows (any flavor) Mac, Linux, UNIX, BeOS, x-windows etc…

There are two types of protection on the market today.

1. The free ones that attack the virus after it has entered into your computer

2. The paid ones that prevent entry into your computer.

If you are not computer savvy then you need number two. Even if you are computer savvy and are tired of the headache of dealing with viruses then you need number two. Choosing the right antivirus protection is critical.

First look at your email. If you are using outlook, or an email that does not use your browser this is called a client and it is easier to protect. If you are using yahoo, Gmail, hotmail or typing in your pop account in the browser these are harder to protect. If your computer has less than 256 megabytes of ram some antivirus programs will slow your computer to a crawl. REMEMBER THIS: NO ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM CAN PROTECT YOU 100%.

Here is a partial list of good antivirus programs. (In no particular order)

1. Norton 360

2. Kaspersky

3. AVG

4. Avast

5. Panda

6. MacAfee

7. CA

8. Trend Micro

9. Live OneCare

Most people always think that just because they spent $1600 on a new computer that the antivirus that came with it last forever---IT DOESN’T. (it is just like the license on your car) Make sure you renew it BEFORE it lapses. If you don’t, you will get infected with something.

For this report, I am talking about home and small business, not the large enterprises or places with more than 5 computers. Someone usually gets paid to watch your network. The four (4) things you want most out of your antivirus is:

1. Email Protection

2. Antivirus Protection

3. Malware Protection

4. Spyware protection

Just about every company gives a free 30 day trial. Some programs scan faster than others, some can become a nuisance while others claim to do everything plus

WATCH OUT FOR THESE THINGS:

1. A pop up comes on a webpage and says you have a virus and if you CLICK here it will take care of it.

2. Email that will give you a million dollars, free iPod, free laptop etc…

3. Email heading “haven’t heard from you” or Where have you been”

Ok, here are some reviews on the antivirus programs mentioned above by independent and customer reviews. Remember these are for home.

Norton 360

Kaspersky Anti-Virus 7

AVG Internet Security 7.5

Avast Professional Edition 4.7.1098

Panda Internet Security 2008

McAfee Total Protection

CA Anti-Virus 2008