These days, it’s impossible to run and maintain a PC without having anti-virus software. In old days, you would buy them and you wouldn’t have to pay annually, you could update the virus-definition anytime. But now, it’s all about money. You buy a software, install it, then it only works for the perioid you have subscribed. Doesn’t that make you wonder, that this whole corporate giants are really going after our money rather than creating useful programs.

Here is how this things works, for those of you who are running your PC without any antivirus.

You buy the software, probably will cost you around $35 to $50 depending on which type you use. On the cover you can read “Six month’s subscription FRee” etc, all that means is after six months it won’t be able to catch new viruses until you pay them (i.e. Subscribe) and in many cases subscription takes place via online, using your credit card. Some programs are so stupid, they show you how long your anti-virus can update itself to catch new viruses, this is shown on the top of the screen on the program you are running and it says, “Subscription : 216 Days Remaining”, It’s like a compete joke, really.

But we must swallow this bitter truth since we don’t have a choice.

Invest on the top-notch anti-virus software. Subscribe and keep subscribing. It’s all part of the maintenance cost of your PC. By default, most such anti-virus software have “Run LiveUpdate” (what that means, it will go to the server, find your software’s ID, check to see if its legally purchased, then, it will download a database, files or whatever you can call it, which can detect new viruses. Hence its important to do updates once a week or more often. Some of the anti softwares includes

• MCAffe
• Norton
• AVG are just a few of the names of anti-virus solution.

Some anti-virus programs have built in spam blocker, poup blocker and firewall (all these will be useful to you so you can enjoy you can have a better Internet Experience.

Which one should you buy? I am going to leave this upto you. Here is a review of some good antivirus software if you like. You don’t have to buy them online, you can actually grab one from any store like walmart, bestbuy, kmart etc.

The link comparing major antiviruses is here:

http://anti-virus-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

There are many people who not only have one anti-virus but two or three.  Since not all are 100% capable of catching viruses, perhaps these users are much better having different onces so they can catch deadly viruses before they infect their PC.

So how do we know when we have a computer virus ?

• You notice a sudden sluggish performance of your computer.
• Computer boots very slowly.
• You are unable to open programs, files or even any contents on your hard disk
• Mouse cursor moves randomly without your touch
• You get error messages
• Windows theme, look and feel looks different or distorted
• Shutting down takes way too much longer than as usefully you witnessed before
• Computer stops booting
• Programs Crashes or when you run a program your computer restarts or shuts-down
• Windows Starts and them immediately Windows Shuts Down.

Many people take their virus infected computer to service centers. It costs more; the labor charge etc. So to avoid this and to have a better computer experience, RUN your computer with an anti virus software. Without any antivirus software, you never know what to expect from your computer.

Some tips if you don’t want to buy antivirus:

• 1. Avoid visiting sites P R O N O types
• 2. Avoid downloading files that you aren’t sure of
• 3. Use google.com. It alerts you with a message [This site might harm your computer], that message is displaced along the site name when you do search on google.com
• 4. Don’t trust files from anyone, friends and neighbors
• 5. Use Web-based email services instead of email software such Microsoft’s Outlook etc. Web-based email services such as gmail.com have anti-virus that scan your emails as well as any attached documents.
• 6. Use Internet Service Providers that offer anti virus software for your connection; the email address they provided etc.
• 7. Don’t use pirated softwares.

That’s all. If anyone has more tips pass them along. You can also try a free anti virus program from the http://free.grisoft.com/ which can check your system online. The Free Edition of their program is here, http://free.grisoft.com/doc/download-free-anti-virus/us/frt/0

Be Safe. I say a little prayer when I boot my PC. Please Lord, Give This PC, the PEACE, no viruses!! no. no.

See you next time you all.

Ruben