Home computer users have, for quite some time, been warned about harmful programs such as viruses, malware, spyware, adware etc.
These applications or files can cause you so many headaches should your system become infected -- from making your system run slower, stopping some programs from running, deleting files and forcing you to pay a high price for a computer technician to fix your computer.
As some people have found out, even after their computer has been fixed, there can still be faults and your system may never work well again.
Prevention is always better than a cure, and anti-virus software has been designed to prevent these harmful infections to be installed and run on your computer.
Many of these will run in the background without you even knowing they are they.
Your system can be infected in many different ways, from installing dodgy programs (Such as pirated software, downloaded software, or torrents.
), opening suspicious emails or files sent from others (Sometimes friends or family member who have had their computers infected.
) or visiting certain websites.
With this in mind, many experts recommend an anti-virus application to help prevent this from occurring to you.
There are software options that will cost you a yearly subscription fee, as well as a variety of free versions available.
The free versions available are found readily online, and can do what is required of them in protecting your system and information.
Visiting forums, ezines or specialist websites you can find expert reviews, user reviews, and a whole range of information on the different companies and products.
Free anti-virus software does what it is required to do, but not much more.
The functions and customizability will not be as great as the paid for versions, however many of us don't use their extra functions and just want to hit run on the scan button and have the software do it all itself.
The database used to recognize viruses isn't updated as much as paid for versions, which is a slight lack of security.
This isn't too bad if you are careful with the websites you visit, the programs you install and think before you open any suspicious emails or download the attachments.
In terms of user support, freeware programs are lacking.
Often, there is no one to ring or email should anything go haywire on your system, nor do the companies offer much help online.
There are many forums online that can be used, and often experts will be willing to answer any questions you have.
Often you will find that a question will already have been asked and the problem solved before you even need to sign up to make a post.
The free anti-virus software choices are great if you don't want to spend extra money on software, or have a tight budget.
They do what they require, and will update themselves to remain up to date and in working order.
If you do not like the software, simply uninstalling it and finding a replacement application will keep your system protected.
These applications or files can cause you so many headaches should your system become infected -- from making your system run slower, stopping some programs from running, deleting files and forcing you to pay a high price for a computer technician to fix your computer.
As some people have found out, even after their computer has been fixed, there can still be faults and your system may never work well again.
Prevention is always better than a cure, and anti-virus software has been designed to prevent these harmful infections to be installed and run on your computer.
Many of these will run in the background without you even knowing they are they.
Your system can be infected in many different ways, from installing dodgy programs (Such as pirated software, downloaded software, or torrents.
), opening suspicious emails or files sent from others (Sometimes friends or family member who have had their computers infected.
) or visiting certain websites.
With this in mind, many experts recommend an anti-virus application to help prevent this from occurring to you.
There are software options that will cost you a yearly subscription fee, as well as a variety of free versions available.
The free versions available are found readily online, and can do what is required of them in protecting your system and information.
Visiting forums, ezines or specialist websites you can find expert reviews, user reviews, and a whole range of information on the different companies and products.
Free anti-virus software does what it is required to do, but not much more.
The functions and customizability will not be as great as the paid for versions, however many of us don't use their extra functions and just want to hit run on the scan button and have the software do it all itself.
The database used to recognize viruses isn't updated as much as paid for versions, which is a slight lack of security.
This isn't too bad if you are careful with the websites you visit, the programs you install and think before you open any suspicious emails or download the attachments.
In terms of user support, freeware programs are lacking.
Often, there is no one to ring or email should anything go haywire on your system, nor do the companies offer much help online.
There are many forums online that can be used, and often experts will be willing to answer any questions you have.
Often you will find that a question will already have been asked and the problem solved before you even need to sign up to make a post.
The free anti-virus software choices are great if you don't want to spend extra money on software, or have a tight budget.
They do what they require, and will update themselves to remain up to date and in working order.
If you do not like the software, simply uninstalling it and finding a replacement application will keep your system protected.
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