Important Tips

• Watch Out - Do not buy or download any antivirus software without checking this list first: The 69 Worst Antivirus Scanners, Mary Landesman, antivirus.about.com, September 15, 2008; and How to Tell If That Pop-up Window Is Offering You a Rogue Anti-Malware Product, Tom Kelchner, Sunbelt Software, June 2009.
• Just One, Not Two - Never use two anti-virus products at the same time. Completely uninstall one before installing another. Use the vendor's uninstall utility or if not available, use the Windows XP add/remove software tool in the control panel.
• Patches & Updates - Anti-virus software is only as effective as its most recent update because it is inherently reactive treating "known" threats. So when you install anti-virus software, go to the vendor's web site and update the program and virus definitions immediately and then turn on the auto update feature (if it has one). If you want to be ready for the next big bad thing before your anti-virus signatures can be updated, consider Zero-Day Protection.
• Get Online Protection Too - Consider using an Internet service provider or email service that includes server side anti-virus and spam email filtering as a second layer of defense. If possible, use different anti-virus software on your home computer than your ISP or service uses on their servers.
• Consider a Gateway - A Broadband Gateway product between your modem and network can screen out viruses before they hit your computer(s).
• Spyware & Trojan Horses - Some anti-virus software products now include anti-spyware and some anti-spyware products have added anti-virus. In addition, some of these products include anti-trojan, anti-worm and other anti-malware features. Before relying on a single security product, carefully review the vendor's list of features and study comparative test results if available. See Editorial - Do you really need a spyware scanner? Gizmo Richards' Support Alert Newsletter, April 17, 2008.
• Prices - For current prices, see a custom Anti-Virus Software 2010 Price List powered by Amazon.com.

Important Facts About Virus Protection

• There are two vital parts to effective virus protection, both the software application and the definition files must be kept current.
• You must maintain current copies of both the application software and the virus definitions in order to be properly protected.
• There is no guarantee that any virus protection will keep your computer safe all the time.
• Because virus fixes take time to create, there is always the potential for infection between new definition releases, or undiscovered viruses.
• Even if there is a virus definition fix for a virus infected machine, there is no guarantee that the infected data can be retrieved or cleaned of the infection. There are occasions when the only appropriate action is to delete the infected file or files, in order to restore the machine.

If you don't have virus protection on your computer, you are almost guaranteeing the computer will get a virus. There are people constantly working on attacking any computer that is unprotected. Computer viruses lurk on websites and in email and can seem like legitimate things you would feel safe opening.

Data Loss

If you get a virus, you can lose some or all of your important data on your computer without warning.

Spyware

Viruses can open the door for spyware. Spyware can do anything from cause pop ups to steal your personal information.

Control

Having a virus on your computer can turn your computer into what is called a zombie that will attack other computers.

Speed

Viruses can attack your computer without you knowing it and can just constantly slow down your computer operating speed to a crawl.

Time Frame

Getting a virus can severely waste your time. Besides the hours it may take to remove a virus and recreate lost files, viruses often hang around unseen and continue to cause problems requiring the ultimate task of formatting hard drives or purchasing a new one.