Tuesday 8 February 2011

Free Anti Virus Protection

There are many free Anti Virus programs out there and one I seem to find works is Microsoft Security Essentials. Its free for a start which is always good, its made by Microsoft - so what's the chance of it screwing up your machine? and its seems to do exactly what it says on the tin!

Down side it takes an age to scan, I mean soooooo sllloooowwww but it does detect viruses fair quick, as in - Pen drive in USB, installed BOOM VIRUS! detects it and removes it. Job done. 

I suggest if you want to run the full scan pick a day say Sunday while you are having your tea and start it going. By the time you have had tea and watch Top Gear it will be done. If its a laptop leave it on the floor so you can see when it's complete. Once done repeat about once a month (ish). 

Paid anti-virus? Some people say that they will be updated quicker should a threat be detected and this may be the case but I don't really do anything other than email, bbc web site, email again, (why is no one emailing me??) twitter, facebook (that's got it own issues right there) more email. So for me its fine. You might have different needs to way up the pros and cons of buying an anti virus compared to the free ones that are out there. 

Way to avoid viruses? Be careful what emails you open, avoid "dodgy" sites (that covers a multitude of sins there) some facebook messages can link to viruses so if your friend suddenly posted something out of character or emailed you a "Click here for a million quid" think before you click!

If you want the free Microsoft Anti Virus head to google and enter "Microsoft Security Essentials" ensure you chose the right version ie: x64 or x86 depending on your computer.

Bodtree Systems - Catherine

1 comment:

  1. Nice post, Catherine.

    My computer was infected with malware via a Facebook link.

    If in doubt don't open it!

    Found you via the 4N Forum.

    Phil

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