Virus/Malware Protection

• Automatically update the virus database (see below) at least daily
• Prevent viruses, worms, & trojans, as well as executable files or DLL libraries from getting on your computer
• Prevent malware from ever getting onto your computer (malware is technicallly distinct from viruses, worms, and trojans).
• If any of these files do make it onto your computer, the program should be able to detect them and render them harmless.

The heart of this process is an up-to-date database on your computer that contains all the latest harmful files. Your computer will compare all files entering your computer as well as the files residing on your computer with the files in this database. If they match up, the program will let you know it suspects you have a problem. The crucial part of this whole process is updating the database daily since malicious files come out so frequently. Your program should automatically do this updating for you.

To prevent these harmful files from getting onto your computer in the first place, the anti-virus program should check all files copied and saved to your computer. It will also screen emails for harmful files that could invade your computer. I've found two free anti-virus programs that seem to work very well side-by-side, that is, by running both of them simultaneously I seem to get pretty good protection. They are Avast! Antivirus (the home edition is the free one) and AVG Anti-virus Free Edition. The free version of Avast! targets only viruses, worms, trojans, and DLL's. I run AVG to take care of the malware. Yes - they are both absolutely free! I've been using them with great results for quite some time. There are better programs out there but you'll have to pay for them. I've heard that NOD 32 anti-virus software works fairly well also.