Free Software for Anti-Virus & Spyware Protection
Every few months I get an email from a client who thinks they may have a virus. The computer is running slow or freezing up. Eeek! This can spell big trouble for a small business. Of course, a slow computer can be due to other things (specifically too little RAM), but if you think you may have a virus(es) you need to deal with this before it gets out of hand.
First thing to do is get yourself some good anti-virus software and I’m not talking about Norton or McAfee. I’ve had issues with both of these allowing bad stuff to get through and onto my system. I recommend trying AVG’s free anti-virus software. It’s easy to download and install. It automatically downloads updates and runs system scans. I’ve been using it for years and have NEVER had a problem with viruses or any other digital baddies since using it. You can get it for free here:
But wait! This is not enough. You also need to protect yourself from spyware. I like Spyware Guard. Like AVG, it’s free to download. Easy to install and works well. You can get it here:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html
And now for a disclaimer: I am not a trained IT professional…just a web designer. But I can tell you that as a small business owner and a person who has their computer gear practically tied to my hip, it is in my best interest to stay protected and well-oiled. So far so good!