Antivirus

[BooJeanIsIt]

Sometimes antivirus programs will slow down your computer big time.
Do not download a lot of "removal" programs such as Spyware, Worm, Malware removers, etc....

I find that backing up your most important files on an external hard drive, and keeping a Windows Installation disk and serial number handy........... is the best way to "refresh" your computer if it becomes really slow or happens to catch a virus.

I do not use antivirus software, I do not open emails that I do not recognize. I do not download any music, photo or file that I do not trust........ I do not install software from websites that I do not trust.

This is how I NEVER get viruses. But if someone who uses computer does accidentally put a virus on there, I simply re-install a fresh copy of Windows and copy and paste my backed up files from my external hard drive.

A lot of times, all of these fancy antivirus programs take hours to scan and repair, but yet do not fix the problem......... it's a lot easier to just re-install a fresh copy of Windows.

I use a mac. I use to use a pc. My life is so much easier since I switched, no viruses, spyware, ect. Great tip! Thanks for the info!

[Snrm]

I find reinstalling Windows to be a bit overboard for just a small virus. I use the free software, Mal-Ware-Bytes to remove most viruses but if I just can't get one off my computer automatically, the best solution is to tackle it manually. Just do some some Internet research on the virus you have and follow a few steps to get the virus off of your system. It always works for me and usually takes under an hour! Sometimes doing a system-restore can help as well.

[themanikin]

i use avg and i can say its possible to get viruses from a lot of things you may trust. i know of a scam to get a virus onto a coputer that uses a trusted website and its very easy. all you have to do is turn your antivirus off when your not using it and it wont take up the memory

[UmiNoor]

I too don't have an antivirus software running on my computer. And if I caught a virus on my computer which I did once (the Google Redirect Virus), I researched online for how to get rid of the virus. It was a very difficult virus to get rid but at the point when I was already deciding to re-format my hard disk, I managed to kill the virus and now my computer is back to normal. I didn't need to re-format my hard disk.

[meme2011]

Most of the experts recommend that you have some sort of Firewall and antivirus program installed on your computer. I have always used an antivirus program on my computer and will continue to do so. I hate having to do a full Windows recovery or fresh reinstall. I have had my new computer for three months now and I have yet to get any viruses or Spyware. Like one of the previous posters said, you could get a virus from some "trusted" sources.

[Blekh]

I use Microsoft Security Essentials which is a fully-functional antivirus provided by Microsoft. It is free and since Microsoft provides it, Windows users get updates which are specific for their operating systems. It is also insanely easy to use and doesn't use up precious processing power either. I think it has recently been updated so the interface is much cleaner and user-friendly.

If you are one of those people who insist on paying for antivirus programmes based on the logic that "If it's expensive, it simply MUST be good" (why would you though?), I would recommend Kaspersky or Avast! McAfee and Norton are not bad but it seems that they use up a lot of processing power and take quite a while to scan.

Just remember that the best protection for your computer is yourself. Don't visit dodgy websites and click random download links. There was a massive case where people installed "Windows Security" because it was shown as a popup advertisement and got viruses in their computers. Stick with the official programmes and use common sense. ALWAYS make backups. I cannot stress this enough. Keep an external drive or save your info on some Cloud service so that in case your computer gets infected, at least your information will be safe.

[xnauwfall]

This happened to me too, as I install antiviruses, my computer went slow, so a bit of an advise to those who have low-end computers, familiarize your computer as if it is your own body. You should feel or notice if there's is something wrong. When you're good at that, you won't be needing antiviruses. Just like what I did, I removed all antiviruses because I'm familiar with my system. I know what programs should be and should not be running at a certain time, I'm aware of my downloads too. There are online services for file scanning,you can use them to save you from using antivirus. With that, you'll have a faster computer. I hope I helped.

[psufootball]

I use Kaspersky Internet Security 2012 and it works great. I used to have some virus issues back when I used Norton, but I've been using Kaspersky for 3 years now and love it. Have it on all of my computers and have not had any issues on any of them since switching.

They actually had a special rebate deal a while back on Newegg where you could even get the software for free.

[WajeehBJ]

No offense, but reading your post made me realize how difficult you have made your life for yourself. I can't even imagine that you actually install a fresh copy of widows because of the tiniest virus that enters your computer? And then, you said I don't download, literally nothing. I wonder what do you do on the computer then? I am aware that you could be a business oriented person or something but still, don't you think its fun to download stuff once in a while? Why don't you simply install a high rated anti-virus (full version) like Kaspersky? I have been using kaspersky for a couple of years and I never, literally, had any problems with my computer. Its been like one and a half year since I have installed new windows or my system crashed or I faced any such problem, thanks to Kaspersky. And believe me when I tell you, I'm a really rash user. I do download everything a lot from un-trusted websites, as a matter of fact, I even sometimes download untrusted softwares as well. But still my system works at the speed of light. And if you are so obsessed with viruses and stuff, why don't you simply switch to MAC then?