Tucson Computer Repair

Tucson Computer Repair: How to protect your computer from Viruses and Spyware

1. Run Antivirus Software on Your Computer.

This may sound obvious but there are many computers out there with no antivirus software installed. Either that, or at some time in the past antivirus software was installed but has since expired--which means its database of virus definitions is out of date.

At Tucson Computer Repair Service we see a lot of computers where antivirus software was installed but the subscription was never renewed. In addition to the well-known paid antivirus programs--like Symantec (Norton), McAfree, and TrendMicro--there are several free antivirus programs you can download off the Internet. Yes, free antivirus software. And in many cases, they are just as good if not better than their paid counterparts.

The best known is AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition. Click here to download the latest version.

Another well-known free antivirus program is Avast! Anti-Virus. Click here to download the latest version.

Another is Comodo Firewall + Antivirus. Click here to download latest version.

To more fully protect your computer from viruses and spyware it is a good idea to install a dedicated spyware scanner as a complement to your antivirus program. They are often better at detecting spyware and the trojan-horse variety of viruses. Here again there are capable anti-spyware programs you can download for free.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. My personal favorite. You can download it here.

Another excellent spyware scanner is SuperAntiSpyware. Download it here.

In addition there is Adaware, Spybot S&D, and Microsoft's Windows Defender.

Tucson Computer Repair Service does not warranty or endorse any of these products. These are merely recommendations of free antivirus solutions.

2. Keep Your Operating System and Web Browser Up-to-Date

This is vitally important. Microsoft regularly releases security updates for Windows operating systems, whether you're using Windows XP, Vista, or the new 7. Big collections of security updates and bug fixes are called "service packs." If you are running Windows XP, as of this date, you should also have Service Pack 3 installed. For Vista, Service Pack 2. As yet there is no service pack release for Windows 7.

Unless you have a good reason for not doing so, Automatic Updates should be turned on. You can visit Microsoft Updates at http://www.update.microsoft.com.

3. Consider Switching from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox as your default web browser. Most people "in the know" believe Firefox is a more secure and better updated web browser, not quite as prone to exploits as IE. You can download Firefox here.

4. Do not open email attachments from people you do not know.

Opening up unknown email attachments is a great way to infect your computer with a virus.

5. Resist the temptation to install "free" Internet games, emoticons, desktop screensavers, and the like.

These so-called "free" programs often contain adware or worse and can result in your computer being plagued with pop-up advertisements amongst other very annoying things. In general, if you don't have a good reason to trust the source of the free game or program do not download it, install it, or agree to install it.

6. Stay away from suspicious websites.

Use your common sense in this respect.

7. Ideally, restrict access to your computer to the adults of the household.

Understand that if you let your precocious 13 year old play around on your computer, with free reign to the Internet, it is probably not going to be long before your computer is infected with all sorts of malware. Again, use your own best judgement on this. Your 13 year old may know more about computers than you do, but he doesn't have to pay for the computer repair technician ;)

8. Be cautious, not paranoid.

The Internet is full of scams, preditors, and malware, and deserves due cautiousness on your part, but if you follow some basic rules then you can dramatically reduce your exposure to them. And enjoy the Internet as it was meant to be enjoyed.