Computer Services Resources: Virus Removal

Your computer is under continued threat from viruses, spyware and other attacks, whenever you connect to the Internet.  You have three alternative ways of dealing with virual removal:

Option 1 - Do nothing

This is probably the worst option, but it’s your computer!  In the computer world there is an old saying “if you swim in the sewer with your mouth open, you will get a virus very quickly” it is the same with the Internet, if you surf the web without protection, your computer will get a virus very quickly and you will have to look at an option for virus removal.

Option 2 – Pay for a full Internet protection suite

Internet protection suites can be costly, but weigh it against the cost of recovering your computer.  All those lost data items, important letters, contacts, emails, photos... 

With offerings from McAfee, Norton, BitDefender, AVG, Microsoft which is the right one?  Everyone and his dog has an opinion about these products “they slow your computer down,” “don’t touch them with a barge pole” etc.  True they slow your computer down, after all they check everything you do to ensure that there isn’t a virus – but which would you rather a computer that runs a little slower, or a virus infestation?  People who have something bad to say about these products normally have had a bad experience with them, but in all honesty for every bad opinion there are several happy users.

Depending on your personal preference we are currently suggesting two different packages to help stop viruses and spyware and give your computer virus removal options:

• BitDefender – you can get a 1 month free trial here
• Microsoft Live OneCare – you can get a 3 month free trial here

(We do not accept any responsibility for your computer if you install these items)

Option 3 - Free protection software

There are free alternatives for virus removal that work fairly well and offer a good level of cover against viruses and spyware threats, though not necessarily with such a high degree of protection as the Internet Suites above

To cover all your bases you need to protect your computer in four ways:

1. A firewall – this prevents others invading your computer using your machine as a stepping stone to attack other computers. From Windows XP SP2, there is a very adequate firewall built in, so no need for additional programs.  If you have an earlier machine you could try the free Zone Alarm available here.
   
   
2. A virus scanner and removal tool – to... well... scan and remove viruses! A good free virus removal tool is available from AVG
   
   
3. A spyware/malware remover – spyware and malware are small programs installed, often without permission, on your computer with the purpose of collecting information about your computer and internet usage.  These range from the not so sinister tracker cookies which record each visit you make to a particular website, through to the more sinister such as key-loggers (programs that record every keystroke you make and broadcast the information, remember that you use your keyboard to enter credit card details!) A great free spyware program that not only checks your system over for spyware and malware, but also protects it against future attacks is available from Spybot Search and Destroy
   
   
4. A spam Fighter – Let’s face it, we are all sick to death of spam emails, a spam fighter will help you to cut down on the amount of spam you get, but you must remember to check your spam folder from time to time, in case email you actually want is in there by mistake!
   SpamFighter is a great free program that is easy to use and integrates will with Outlook Express and Outlook (we have tested it on Outlook 2007 and it works great) available from Spam Fighter

We don’t guarantee the success of these products and don’t accept responsibility for your computer, the decision to install these items is yours as is the responsibility for them, but give them a try - they are free after all.