How To Decide On An Antivirus Program

By Abbey Dale

An antivirus program is the most valuable piece of software you'll have on your computer. These days, viruses and spyware are being written by the hundreds for Windows based computers. They can destroy the computer and cause it to run slow and even die. The benefits of using an antiviral program are many, as you'll see below.

Viruses attack a computer when they hide inside the webpages of an internet site. The user goes to the site and the virus springs into attack. They also are able to infect a computer when the user downloads music from a file sharing website. The virus can hide within files that the user has unknowingly uploaded, or sometimes a user will purposely put viral infected files on these sites.

Most viruses are given a threat meter, from least damaging to highest alert. There are websites dedicated to compiling all the latest threat data with information on the threat and removal instructions as well. Check them often to be sure you're running the latest updates.

The number one way to protect your computer is to either buy or download a free version of antiviral software. Updating is very important, as there are new threats being made every day, and the software will update itself and catch viruses as they attack. The software should then quarantine the threat before it can harm the computer.

Most antivirus programs also have spyware guards, which protect against spyware. Spyware is a malware that attaches itself to a computer and collects information about users without them knowing. It can cause the computer to run extremely slow.

Most antiviral software costs money to buy but there are a few free versions on the web. It's up to you to decide whether you need a more complex software or something small that can do the trick. If you're buying, most software costs about forty dollars a year to use. Some programs are also bundled with other software that makes it cost a little more.

Especially if you download media files then using an antivirus is a must. It's a good way for potential attacks to come through whenever opening your computer up like that. But even if you're just a regular web browser and all you do is use the internet, you still need antivirus software. Just going onto the internet opens the computer up to all sorts of risks so having proper software to protect your investment is a wise choice. - 30201

About the Author:

Sign Up for our Free Newsletter

Enter email address here