PC Protection

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This topic is so important that I added a page about it and not just a post.

This problem is one that we all have with a Windows based PCs, if your using a Mac or Linux the software I recommend here is not for you. The good news is the Mac and Linux OS have fewer problem than Windows OS with viruses.

I do recommend a good fire wall system for all computers connected to the Internet. This is a strong first defence to keep the bad guys out of your system and your data and info. safe.

Fire walls are not all the same, some may come with your Internet service provider (ISP) and they are weak compared to the Windows fire wall in XP sp2 and above. The bad guys seem to learn how to get pass them both. I recommend getting one you Install yourself, some good antivirus software have a fire wall system with the anti-virus software.

I am going to recommend two anti-virus software later here and both have a fire wall option as part of the service. I’m sure that you can find many other stand alone fire walls software programs out there but for me I think it is just as good and easier having one program do both. Now that I think of it we have three things we want in a good PC protection software and they are the fire wall, anti-virus and ad-ware protection. Ad-ware and spyware are a nuisance and can make your computer unuseable.

One of the biggest mistakes I see people do is go to a search engine like Google or Yahoo and look for a free anti-virus program or let some web site scan your computer. The bad guys can place the ads or have links in the search engines just to trick you into getting more ad-ware and pop ups, viruses and other bad things on your system. If your not sure about what you need or where to get it ask someone that knows about it. Searching the Internet for a solution to your anti-virus could get you even more problems. Looking for anti-virus/anti-ad-ware on the Internet like that is about like tying a steak around your neck and going into the lions den. (Hey I have no anti-virus protection on my computer could you tell me what link I need to click on?) The bad guys will be right there to help you.

All I’m saying is just be careful Googling on that subject. All the things I recommend here on this page I have used or still do use on my own computers so I know them to be safe.

Before I start listing programs, I do want to give two warnings!

1. Back-up your data first! This is very important to have no matter what your doing. At any time a hard drive could fail or you operating system could crash, always have your work backed up.

2. Never have more than one anti-virus program installed on your system. Totally remove your anti-virus program before you install a new one. Very important, running two or more anti-virus program can damage your computer.

Note: you can run more than one fire wall program or even more than one anti-ad-ware/anti-spy-ware without damage. I don’t recommend having too many, but only one anti-virus at a time.

OK, now with all that out of the way, lets get to it.

First up Malwarebytes 100% free works great for ad-ware and spy-ware scan and removal.

Next one for adware and spyware removing is Spybot – Search & Destroy Also free.

Now for a free anti-virus program my top pick is Avast.

For a very good but not free Anti-virus program I like WebRoot

Now for my top pick and is what I use now is, VIPRE Internet Security 2012

The Vipre anti-virus is almost too good sometimes I had to make some adjustments to the fire wall just so I could get to some site I use for advertising. I like it because it uses less memory on my computer.

After the Vipre system installed I have had no problems. I have Malwarebytes still on my system but now when I scan my system it has always been clean. That tells me that Vipre system is stopping all the ad-ware and spy-ware from getting in my system in the first place.

Note: One of the best ways to back up your files on your system is to get a external hard drive with a USB connection, one with the back up software right on the hard drive. the first time you do your back up may take some time but after that it only take a few minutes each time. I do mine like one time a week. I also can use the drive to just place files on that I may want to use on another computer, very handy.