Software Installation
Computer Viruses & Free Antivirus Software by Steve E. Driz
Let’s face it, over the past 10 years, personal computers have become an integral part of our lives. Many households have computers in home offices, living rooms, kitchens and even bedrooms. We see the technology as something useful, friendly, and even precious and fragile at times.
Regrettably, the very technology of personal computing we seem to rely on is subjected to virus infections, email SPAM, Spyware/Adware, Trojans etc. As a result, your computer performance starts degrading, applications run slower than usual and in some instances; you are getting constant pop-up ads on your screen.
Worst-case scenario, your computer “crashes”, well not literally, and you have to spend a significant amount of time and money on hiring a professional and re-installing the operating system along with all the software applications originally installed on your computer. But what about your data, the most precious personal information that may include your emails from family members, friends and colleagues, your personal documents, financial information and finally, family photos.
When you computer is infected, and the operating system needs to be re-installed, unless done by a professional at a significant cost to you, your personal information may be lost forever. You may ask, “Why is this guy painting such a grim picture?”
The answer is; “This is an unfortunate reality”, and unless you are fully equipped and prepared to deal with the issue on your own, with a very little help, you may loose your valuable information permanently.
Computer Viruses and Antivirus Software
As I mentioned earlier, computer viruses may destroy your computer’s operating system and disable access to your personal information. Computer viruses are generally distributed through email, Internet sites, instant messaging (chat software), and physical media such as CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, USB or floppy disks.
The best preventative strategy is to have a full-featured antivirus software installed on your computer.
Most of the personal computers purchased today are already equipped with the antivirus software. “So, what’s the catch?” you ask me. The catch is that every commercial as well as non-commercial antivirus software requires frequent updating. Many people think that if the antivirus was installed on their computer by the vendor, they are protected for life. Wrong!
To give you an example, when a new computer virus is discovered, large teams of software developers work night and day to come-up with an antidote, a “pill” that would destroy a virus and will inoculate your personal computer. Once available, the antivirus update or “signature”, will be available on the vendor’s website for download. If your antivirus software is up-to-date, and is configured to update automatically over the Internet, you have very little to worry about. But what if I told you that millions of computer users out there have outdated antivirus software.
Believe it or not, it is true. It means that even though they think that their computer is protected, in actuality their, and any computer with outdated antivirus software may be easily infected by a virus.
You have to be cognizant of the fact that most of the commercial antivirus software available today requires annual subscription, and if your subscription was not renewed on time, the antivirus would stop updating its virus signatures, thus exposing your system to a threat. The good news is that there are non-commercial, free antivirus Software Packages that can be downloaded and used absolutely free of charge on your home computer.
About the Author
Steve E. Driz has dedicated over 15 years to management and oversight of teams and technology concentrating on information security and privacy.
http://www.stevedriz.com
http://www.stevedriz.com/antivirusguide
Software Installation
|
|
Panasonic 30 Stainless Steel Trim Kit for 2.2 cuft Stainless Steel Microwaves $159.99 Panasonic 30″ Trim Kit for the NNT990SAand the NNT900SA… |
|
|
Crosley Pictograph Standalone Film Scanner (CR5503A-BK) $22.36 Accessing your warm memories of holiday gatherings andfamily vacations from years ago can be a daunting task.Forgo expensive services and instead get nostalgic as you digitizeyour favorite forgotten images with Crosley’s easy-to-use, standalone filmscanner. Crosley’s Pictograph scans and converts all 35mm slides and negativesinto high resolution digital images. Whenever it’s convenient, connectyou… |
|
|
Pocket Team Timer $29.95 Designed by a high school track and X-country coach, the software supports timing and recording of multiple contestants participating in track and cross country events. Features include:* Entrants can be created and modified on the device AND on your desktop PC Meets,events and entrants can be set up and ready on race day. *Last minute race day changes can be made. *Any number of runners are allow… |
|
|
Dune 2000 Dune 2000 is a real-time strategy game that requires gallant leadership, cunning tactics, and formidable military prowess to win the Emperor’s challenge by being the first to harvest the most spice and take control of Dune. Three houses have arrived to claim the prize: the honorable House Atreides, the insidious House Ordos, and the vicious House Harkonnen. Whichever house you choose to lead, reme… |
|
|
Brian Eno: 77 Million Paintings $39.98 He’s the avatar of ambient and one of the original glitterati of glam, but Brian Eno started as a visual artist before he became captivated by sound and synthesis. Nearly 30 years ago, he began a return to the visual arts, and has synthesized a career that now runs in intersecting parallels with his music. From his first video, Mistaken Memories of Mediaeval Manhattan, Eno’s work has evolved into… |
|
|
SMC SMC7008BR Cable/DSL Router with 8 Port Switch $249.95 Designed for small to midsized offices, the SMC cable/DSL router combines a multifunctional broadband router with a seven-port 10/100 Mbps dual-speed switch, a built-in print server, an RS232 COM port for modem connections, and an Internet firewall for extra security. A WAN port along with Network Address Translation (NAT) extend simultaneous Internet access for up to 253 PCs on a LAN. The router… |
|
|
Getting Started With Adobe Premiere 6 (Video Editing) [New Version] $55.00 (1 VHS Video) Everything you need to get up and running. Thinking of getting into video editing? Or maybe you’ve been editing for a while. Either way, chances are you’ll come across Adobe Premiere at some point. Version 6 of Adobe Premiere adds all kinds of features for editing digital video, mixing audio, and outputting to the web. In this fast paced 50 minute video, we cover everything you… |
|
|
Wireless IP Pan/Tilt/ Night Vision Internet Surveillance Camera Built-in Microphone With Phone remote monitoring support(Black) $46.88 Specs: Image Compression Format: M-JPEG standard Image Resolution: VGA(640×480) / QVGA(320×240) Sensor: 1/4 inch CMOS, 300,000 Pixels Light frequency: 50Hz, 60Hz or Outdoor Audio compression: ADPCM Data rate: 802.11b: 11Mbps (Max.), 802.11g: 54Mbps (Max.) Ethernet: One 10/100Mbps RJ-45 Viewing angle: 67? Horizontal Rotating Angle: 0~270? Vertical Rotating Angle: 0~120? Alarm Mode: motion detection… |
|
|
Liftmaster Clicker Universal Wireless Keyless Entry Keypad 387LM $13.70 LiftMaster Clicker Universal Wireless Keypad Keyless Entry 387LM KLIK2U. The Liftmaster 387LM Clicker Universal Wireless Keyless Entry System mounts conveniently outside your garage door so you can open or close it without a key or remote. Features & Specifications: Covers these frequencies 300/310/315/368/390 MHz compatible. Convenient, secure access – no keys or remote controls necessary. Simple… |
|
|
GE 45609 Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Control On/Off Switch $48.48 The new GE Z-Wave Wireless Lighting Control On/Off Switch enables wireless control of on/off functions of hard-wired incandescent, LED, xenon, halogen and fluorescent lighting. The on/off switch replaces your current light switch, uses your existing wiring and provides Z-Wave wireless and in-wall control of overhead lighting. The contemporary switch includes a blue LED indicator light to easily lo… |
February 20, 2012 8:26 am 
Subscribe